Closed consultations

Consultations that have closed are listed below. When they are available, summaries and analyses of responses and policy decision announcements are included. For details, please follow the links.

You can also find out about consultations that are open.

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Further consultation on client money in legal services: Protecting the client money that solicitors hold

This consultation follows on from our November 2024 consultation 'Client money in legal services – safeguarding consumers and providing redress'. It seeks views on two key areas:

Start — 11 December 2025
End — 20 February 2026
Status — Closed

Read: Further consultation on client money in legal services: Protecting the client money that solicitors hold

Business Plan and Budget 2025-26

This Business Plan will cover our third and final year of work under our Corporate Strategy for 2023-26. It describes our proposed work plans and budget for the 12-month period between 1 November 2025 and 31 October 2026.

Start — 8 May 2025
End — 19 June 2025
Status — Closed, analysis of responses published

Read: Business Plan and Budget 2025-26

Changing our requirements on first-tier complaints

We are consulting on proposals to change our requirements on first-tier complaints, and asking for input on our guidance to help the firms and individuals we regulate to meet these updated requirements

Start — 30 May 2025
End — 1 August 2025
Status — Closed, analysis of responses published

Read: Changing our requirements on first-tier complaints

Changes to the regulations for the Higher Rights of Audience qualification

We are consulting on the regulatory amendments needed to enable a sole provider to deliver the assessments for the Higher Rights of Audience (HRA) criminal and civil qualification.

Start — 6 March 2025
End — 18 April 2025
Status — Closed, analysis of responses published

Read: Changes to the regulations for the Higher Rights of Audience qualification

Client money in legal services - safeguarding consumers and providing redress: The model of solicitors holding client money

Should we be looking at ways to reduce the client money held by solicitors?

Start — 14 November 2024
End — 21 February 2025
Status — Closed

Read: Client money in legal services - safeguarding consumers and providing redress: The model of solicitors holding client money

Client money in legal services - safeguarding consumers and providing redress: Protecting the client money that solicitors hold

What controls, checks and balances are appropriate?

Start — 14 November 2024
End — 21 February 2025
Status — Closed

Read: Client money in legal services - safeguarding consumers and providing redress: Protecting the client money that solicitors hold

Client money in legal services - safeguarding consumers and providing redress: Delivering and paying for a sustainable compensation fund

How should payments from the profession be calculated and payments from the Fund to reimburse consumers be allocated?

Start — 14 November 2024
End — 21 February 2025
Status — Closed, analysis of responses published

Read: Client money in legal services - safeguarding consumers and providing redress: Delivering and paying for a sustainable compensation fund

Financial Penalties: further developing our framework

We are seeking views on proposals to update our approach to financial penalties in light of our new powers to issue unlimited fines for certain breaches of our rules under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA).

Start — 28 June 2024
End — 20 September 2024
Status — Closed, analysis of responses published

Read: Financial Penalties: further developing our framework