SRA announces package of reforms aimed at greater flexibility
updated on 19 June 2018
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has finalised its most recent set of reforms, which is designed to provide solicitors and firms with a flexible approach to how they operate and provide their services to the public.
The ‘Looking to the Future’ programme is based on four public consultations, taking into account the views of over 35,000 members of the public, the profession and other interested parties. Several of the most significant reforms include:
- allowing solicitors to carry out ‘non-reserved’ legal services (eg, family, employment or personal injury work) within a business not regulated by a legal services regulator;
- allowing solicitors to provide ‘reserved’ legal services (eg, completing a house sale or carrying out litigation) on a freelance basis;
- creating separate Codes of Conduct for firms and solicitors, and simple Account Rules that focus on keeping client money safe; and
- introducing a new enforcement strategy, providing greater clarity on when and how the SRA would take action against a firm or solicitor.
Paul Philip, SRA Chief Executive, said: “We are now ready to make the changes that are needed to modernise both our regulation and the legal market. Our reforms focus on what matters: the high professional standards that offer real public protection rather than unnecessary bureaucracy that generates costs, constrains firms and hinders access to legal services. We believe that the changes will make it easier for firms and solicitors to do business and to meet the needs of those who need their services.”
These changes will be introduced on a phased basis, from 2019 onwards.
