SRA Update
Welcome to the last issue of SRA Update for 2018. Our autumn update on risks includes a refresh of our Walking the Line paper. This highlights some of the compliance issues that can arise balancing duties in litigation, including when drawing up non-disclosure agreements. Other issues covered included a reminder about the implementation of our price transparency rules. I hope to see many of you at our December Compliance Conference and wish you all a merry Christmas and happy new year.
We have updated the trends in our latest Risk Outlook, with an increase in reports of misuse of client money and a shift in the types of cybercrime we are seeing. We have also updated our 2015 paper, Walking the Line, which looks at the dangers involved when balancing duties in litigation.
Read more about: Risk Outlook, autumn update
Our Transparency Rules will come into effect on 6 December. By publishing basic details about certain services that you provide, you can help people to find the services they need and grow your client base. We will also soon be making available to law firms our digital badge to help them explain the extra protections you get when using a regulated firm.
Read more about: Price transparency
The new assessment to ensure consistent, high standards for qualifying solicitors, the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), will be introduced in autumn 2021, with the candidate fee likely to range between £3,000 - £4,500.
Read more about: SQE introduction and cost
As part of our development of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination, we are looking for candidates to take part in a pilot for the Stage 1 assessment. We are also looking for law firms, or organisations with a legal department, to provide career development opportunities for the best-performing candidates.
Read more about: SQE pilot
We have published a competence support package for those of you working in youth courts. Following on from this, we have now created an easy to read leaflet that tells young people how solicitors can help them. You can find this leaflet on our website and request copies to support you when talking to younger clients.
Read more about: Support for those working with younger clients in the courts
Cybercrime is the fastest-growing crime in the country, accounting for more than 75 percent of all reports to the police. Law firms, handling large amounts of client money, are prime targets for such criminals. Are you doing all that you can to minimise the risk of your firm being caught out?
Read more about: Cybercrime
Are you worried about your health affecting your work? Life as a solicitor can be challenging and the demands and pressures can easily build up. We can signpost you to sources of help and make adjustments for you if you are in difficulty.
Read more about: Your health, your career
Events
There are still a few places left for the compliance officer conference taking place in Birmingham on Tuesday 11 December. This year’s event will be the biggest yet, with more than 30 speakers and topics covered included anti-money laundering, our new rules
and regulations and cybercrime.
Read more about: Compliance conference
We will be at the LegalEx conference at ExCel in London on March 27 and 28. The event is aimed at business growth, professional development and cyber security in the legal sector. We are holding a series of seminars looking at these issues as well as innovation and changes to our regulation. We will also have a stand in the exhibition hall.
Read more about: LegalEx
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