Press release archive for 2017

Concerns about how law firms handle personal injury claims, especially when dealing directly with third-party claims management companies (CMCs), have led to us issuing a revised warning notice.

We have published research on how law firms deal with the complaints they receive.

Money launderers hoping to infiltrate the profession continues to be a major problem, according to the autumn update of the Risk Outlook.

We have approved the regulations which bring into force the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) while making changes to bolster assurances around qualifying work experience. The SQE is a new assessment to make sure all those entering the profession meet consistent, high standards.

We have confirmed our three-year strategy, which focuses on high standards and choice for public and solicitors.

We have published research showing the progress made in creating a more diverse profession, yet highlighting the problem that women and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) solicitors still face career progression barriers.

We are looking for views on our proposals to deal with the European Insurance Distribution Directive when it comes into force next year.

Better information on price and quality of service will help the public make better legal choices and law firms find new clients, according to proposals from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is proposing a second phase of changes to its rules for solicitors to make them simpler and more focused on high standards, reducing the length of its Handbook by more than 300 pages.

Solicitors providing tax planning services could face greater scrutiny from both ourselves and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) as the Government looks to clamp down on "aggressive" tax avoidance schemes.

Enid Rowlands has been reappointed as our Chair of the Board for a final year.

The sharp increase in holiday sickness claims has led us to remind the profession of its obligations when handling such cases.

Solicitors have been urged to check the HM Treasury frozen assets review to make sure they are not holding monies belonging to a client that is subject to financial sanctions.

With exactly two years to go until the deadline for mis-sold payment protection insurance (PPI) compensation claims to be submitted, law firms have been told to make sure any applications they work on adhere to the rules.

Solicitors should take care to make sure that communication is always professional, lawful and does not cause offence, we have warned.

Solicitors are among those businesses that could face Government action if they fail to report information that could undermine UK financial sanctions.

We have set out our new three-year strategy, affirming its focus on high professional standards set in the public interest.

There has been a record number of reports of cyber thefts from law firms reported in the first quarter of this year, with house moves the main target, according to our latest report.

We have again warned the public to be wary of the increasing problem of questionable investment schemes that use the involvement of solicitors or to encourage them to pay over money.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) plans to change its indemnity insurance rules to make it easier for firms to switch their regulator, encouraging competition in the market while still offering protection for the public.

We are aware that Elite Insurance has announced that it will not write any new business.

The judiciary will be asked its opinions on the quality of criminal advocacy in research commissioned jointly by us) and Bar Standards Board (BSB).

We have responded to the recommendations of the Competition and Market Authority (CMA) for legal services, setting out how we are progressing reforms to make the market more open and competitive.

The opportunities for law firms to reach out to potential clients are outlined in a new paper we have published.

We will be researching the experiences of people who have used conveyancing services offered by solicitors.

We are working on new guidance for law firms, which we aim to publish shortly, following the announcement of new money laundering regulations by the Treasury.

We have issued a further Warning Notice about solicitor involvement in fraudulent investment schemes.

The progress we have made in maintaining professional standards, protecting clients and delivering its objectives has been set out in our Annual Review.

We have today published the tender documents for the first phase of the sourcing process to appoint an assessment organisation to work with us to develop and deliver the new Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).

Today we have announced changes that will help drive high professional standards, remove unnecessary bureaucracy and free up solicitors to work in new markets.

Financial statements we published today show that last year (November 2015 to October 2016), it granted around £10.3m from the Compensation Fund.

We have published our consultation on the regulations which would see the new Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) come into effect.

For the third year running, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) will be supporting the Birmingham and London Pride festivals.

We will be introducing an independent assessment, the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), to make sure all solicitors meet consistent, high standards at the point of entry to the profession.

We have brought together leading experts to discuss cybersecurity risks to coincide with our spring update to the Risk Outlook.

We have commissioned independent research companies to begin carrying out research into how firms’ handling of complaints can influence the quality of service clients receive.

We are calling on law firms to help to create transgender-positive workplaces, and are sharing real-life stories to help them achieve this.

We have published the detailed findings of our consultation about what should happen if a solicitor falls short of expected standards.

Our proposals to introduce a centralised assessment for would-be solicitors could lead to improved diversity in the profession and increased social mobility, a new report says.

The Chair of the Solicitors Regulation Authority has set out how she wants to help the Welsh legal sector grow, providing affordable, accessible services for the public and supporting the Welsh economy.

Solicitor firms are being targeted by scammers who want to infiltrate IT systems.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has published independent research exploring the experiences of potentially vulnerable people using family law services.

Professor Phil Shiner of Public Interest Lawyers (PIL) has been struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) for professional misconduct in the Al-Sweady Inquiry. It also ordered him to pay interim costs of £250,000.

We are starting our Training for Tomorrow 2014 engagement programme with a series of free roadshows in London, Sheffield, Manchester and Birmingham in January and February. These events will provide information on our proposals for simplifying the regulation of the SRA's Education and Training Framework and which are outlined in the current Regulation Review consultation.