SRA proposes new strategy focused on enhancing confidence in legal services
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has launched a consultation on its proposed Corporate Strategy for 2023–2026. Alongside publication of the overall strategy, it is also consulting on the finer detail of its business plan and budget for 2023-24, the first year of the new strategy period, which comes into effect from November 2023. Over the […]
Law firms issued guidance on new wellbeing at work rules
We have issued updated guidance to help law firms and those who work for them understand what new rules on health and wellbeing in the workplace mean for them. The new rules were introduced earlier this month following approval by the Legal Services Board (LSB). They include specific obligations in the Codes of Conduct for both firms […]
Practice Guidance: Independent Domestic Violence Advisers and Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (Family Courts)
The President of the Family Division has issued the following guidance relating to the attendance of any court hearing of independent domestic violence advsisers / independent sexual violence advisers as support to litigants at all levels of the Family Court. 1. This guidance applies to family proceedings in the Court of Appeal (Civil Division), the […]
SRA releases new sanctions questionnaire
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has released a new questionnaire compelling law firms to report on their firm’s approach to financial sanctions. The assessment should outline how the firm is ensuring compliance with the current financial sanctions regime. The window for responses is 2nd – 31st May 2023. Below is the SRA’s guidance related to […]
Practice Direction Update No 2 of 2023
PD Update No.2 of 2023 makes the following provisions: PD2C, which makes provision for functions of the family court which may be performed by a Justices’ Legal Adviser, is amended to correct a cross-reference to a specific paragraph in another PD. PD36P is amended to extend the end date of the pilot PD underpinning HMCTS’s […]
Courts and tribunals opening times over Easter 2023
Opening times for courts and tribunals over the Easter period. Our courts and tribunals will temporarily close over the Easter period, from Friday 7th to Monday 10th April 2023. They will reopen on Tuesday 11th April 2023. Some magistrates’ courts will be open on Saturday 8th and Monday 10th April 2023, but for remand hearings […]
Jurisdictional case management guidance | March 2023
Jurisdictional case management guidance jointly launched by the Senior President of Tribunals and President of the Family Division The Offices of the Senior President of Tribunals and the President of the Family Division have issued updated jurisdictional case management guidance in circumstances where related and concurrent asylum proceedings, and 1980 Hague Convention proceedings, are ongoing. […]
Financial Remedies Court Notice: Appeal Judges
I make this announcement with the authority of the President. By SI 2023/61, which comes into force on 6th April 2023, the Family Procedure (Amendment) Rules amend Rule 30.3(5) so as to permit circuit judges nominated by the National Lead Judge of the Financial Remedies Court to refuse applications for permission to appeal in financial […]
More case studies added on banking facilities rule
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has added further case studies to those published online to help firms remain compliant with the rule prohibiting use of the client account as a banking facility. The SRA Accounts Rules include Rule 3.3, which states solicitors “must not use a client account to provide banking facilities to clients or […]
Nightingale Courts to remain open for further year
A total of 24 temporary courtrooms, which were set up to boost capacity during the pandemic, will remain open in 2023 to allow more cases to be heard. The government is investing £477 million over next three years to tackle the Crown Court backlog which significantly increased because of the pandemic. This includes allowing courts […]
SRA confirms updated approach to fines and publishing decisions
Following public consultation, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has confirmed the detail of changes for how it levies financial penalties to law firms and solicitors. The reforms, which will come into effect later in the year, will see: the introduction of a fixed-penalty regime for lower-level misconduct future fines for both firms and individuals linked […]
SRA Board finalises rules for post six-year client protection
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Board has agreed the final rules which will bring the Solicitors Indemnity Fund (SIF) under the SRA’s control to ensure future consumer protection for post six-year negligence claims. The rules will now be submitted to the Legal Services Board (LSB) for approval, ahead of the new arrangements becoming effective from […]
Practice Direction Update No 1 of 2023
PD Update No. 1 of 2023 makes the following provisions: PD5A (Forms) is amended in light of the new rule in the FPR (see the Family Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2023) about financial information being provided before a hearing on an enforcement application. The amendment makes clear that Form E1 should be used to provide this […]
Improvements to Common Platform for defence professionals
We’re adding features to Common Platform and making improvements to the way legal professionals search for case details, check in for hearings, and access and complete essential forms. Since Monday 30th January 2023, legal professionals will have seen a number of system improvements, which include: quicker and easier check-in process for court hearings – the […]
Ministry of Justice to undertake review of civil legal aid
The review will consider the civil legal aid system in its entirety; from how services are procured, how well the current system works for users and how civil legal aid impacts the wider justice system. The review will commission an external economic analysis of the civil legal aid market to better understand how people access […]
Alan Kershaw confirmed as new LSB Chair as Dr Helen Phillips steps down
The Ministry of Justice and Legal Services Board (LSB) have announced the appointment of Alan Kershaw as the new Chair of the LSB. He has been appointed for a four-year term effective from 1st April 2023. The Lord Chancellor made the appointment in consultation with the Lord Chief Justice in accordance with the Legal Services […]
Risks and opportunities of crypto technologies
The risks – and opportunities – presented by developing crypto technologies are outlined in a new SRA report. The latest in our Risk Outlook series looks at cryptocurrencies and other distributed ledger technologies and how they might impact the legal services sector. Some firms are using these to improve delivery while some organisations, such as the Land […]
Financial remedy applications now fully online for legal professionals
From 31st January 2023, legal professionals must use MyHMCTS to submit and complete applications for contested and non-contested financial remedy. Preparing for the change There will be a transition period from Wednesday 1st February to Tuesday 28th February 2023. During this time, we’ll still process paper applications. This is to give legal professionals time to […]
Ensuring continuing competence in the solicitor profession
Staying up to date and competent through their careers is an important part of providing high quality legal services to those who need them. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has published the actions it will be taking to make sure that solicitors comply with their responsibilities. Its plan is in response to the Legal Services […]
SRA stamps down on firms not complying with transparency rules
SRA rejects claims that guidance is too complicated to follow The Solicitors Regulations Authority (SRA) have announced they will be clamping down on firms who are not complying with transparency rules. The SRA are reviewing firms to see if they are supplying clients with price and service information, such as their employees’ credentials, and also […]