SRA offers firms advice on complying with sanctions
The SRA has written to more than 1000 firms offering advice and guidance on complying with the UK’s financial sanctions regime. The SRA gathered data from a number of firms and based on the responses provided, have identified a large number of firms that had indicated they had poor controls in place. The SRA then sent out letters […]
Final call for questions for LSB Board Meeting
Final call for any questions you want raised at the LSB Board Meeting tomorrow, 23rd January 2024. The Legal Services Board (LSB) have requested all questions that you would like raised with the Board in relation to any of the items listed on their site/in their papers to be sent by 5pm on Monday 22nd […]
LSB Chief Executive steps down
Matthew Hill, Chief Executive at The Legal Services Board (LSB) has announced he is stepping down at the end of March 2024. Matthew Hill joined the LSB in August 2019 as Chief Executive and executive Board member. The Board of the LSB have started the process of recruiting his successor immediately. An interim leadership arrangement […]
HMCTS Update – Family – Updates to the probate service
The latest HMCTS email update provided coverage in the Family section on the updates to the probate service. From 18 January, probate professionals who submit probate applications on MyHMCTS must include a code from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) confirming inheritance tax affairs have been settled. MyHMCTS will not accept applications without a code in […]
SRA fine firm that failed to file workforce diversity data on time
The Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) issued their first diversity fine on 19th December 2023, for failure to supply workforce diversity in accordance with the deadline. The fine was issued to HG Legal Ltd and they were directed to pay Fixed Financial Penalty of £750 and costs of £150. The reason: “HG Legal Ltd failed to […]
SRA issues more fixed penalties
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has published more fixed penalties issued as part of its new financial penalty regime. £750 fines have been issued to five firms for not complying with the SRA’s transparency rules. This follows three firms being issued with fines for such breaches in November 2023. The first fixed penalty for a […]
Brand new guide to help public easily access court hearings
A brand new guide has been published by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) and HM Courts and Tribunals Services (HMCTS) to help the public easily access court hearings. This guide are being encouraged to see how justice is done in courtrooms with the publication of a new and simple ‘how to’ guide for attending court […]
Legal Services Board to review events preceding SRA’s intervention into Axiom Ince
The Legal Services Board (LSB) have confirmed that they are going to be conducting a review of events that lead up to the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA’s) intervention into Axiom Ince. The LSB have published their intention to undertake an independent review of the regulatory events that lead up to the SRA’s intervention into Axiom […]
New-style scam alert warning
An outsourced compliance service provider has warned of a new-style scam they have intercepted involving criminals impersonating the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). The methodology involves individuals contacting law firms alleging to be from the SRA and asking to attend their offices onsite for a “pre audit meeting.” Contact is made via phone call from a […]
SRA report examines use of AI in law firms
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) have shared a report outlining both the opportunities and risks associated with and presented by the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This report forms part of the SRA’s Risk Outlook series and the latest report specifically focuses on how AI is impacting the legal services sector. The report, whilst researching […]
SRA issues first fixed penalties
On Thursday 16th November 2023 the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) published the details of the first fixed penalties it has issued since introducing the new fixed financial penalty regime. The £750 fines that have been published today are in relation to three firms who have not complied with the SRA’s transparency rules. The breaches included: […]
Revised National Listing Protocol for applications that seek Deprivation of Liberty Orders
Sir Andrew Macfarlane, President of the Family Division has written a letter regarding the Revised National Listing Protocol for applications that seek Deprivation of Liberty Orders (DOL) relating to children under the inherent jurisdiction. Letter from Sir Andrew Macfarlane below, but also can be read here. NATIONAL DoL LIST (‘NDL’) October 2023 – (Replacing the […]
CILEX proposals ‘fail to consider the wider regulatory context’, says The Law Society
The Law Society of England and Wales has expressed concern over the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX’s) proposals for changes to the regulation of Chartered Legal Executives. CILEX is pushing for authorised Legal Executives to be regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), despite its own members objecting to the idea of regulatory change. […]
SRA transparency rules compliance remains low, yet regulator sees success
An independent report has revealed that a significant number of law firms are still struggling to fully comply with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) transparency rules, even though a minority of legal practitioners believe these rules are in the best interest of consumers. The SRA, however, celebrates the report as evidence of the scheme’s effectiveness. […]
CPR Update: Disclosure of Electronic Documents
Sir Andrew McFarlane, President of the Family Division, has highlighted the provisions of the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) governing the disclosure of electronic documents and records, including mobile phone records to the family law division. McFarlane previously asked the Family Procedure Rule Committee (FPRC) to consider making these provisions in the Family Procedure Rules (FPR). […]
Scale of AML non-compliance forces SRA into action
Law firms have been warned they must do more to properly assess money laundering risk after a report last week identified 1/3 of firms are still not fully compliant with their obligations. The scale of non-compliance has forced the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) into issuing a warning notice to “remind the profession of its obligations […]
Renew Practising Certificate by 31st October 2023
Practising certificate and registration renewals take place from 1st to 31st October 2023. This year, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has included no new questions or changes to what they ask for from law firms or individuals. However, they have made some enhancements to the applications to improve the experience. Linked below you will find […]
Law Society voices concern as SRA consults CILEX regulation
SRA regulation of CILEX lawyers risks confusing consumers when trying to choose the right legal services, the Law Society of England and Wales has said. This comes in response to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) consulting on potentially including authorised members of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) in its regulatory regime. CILEX consulted […]
Ofsted warns against use of unregistered children’s homes
Ofsted has issued a fresh warning against the placement of vulnerable children, including those subject to deprivation of liberty orders, in unregistered children’s homes. Children subject to deprivation of liberty (DoL) orders have complex needs and require high levels of skilled care and supervision. Too often, these children are placed in illegal unregistered settings without […]
Government announces new support measures for victims of sexual violence
The government has announced £26 million of new specialist support measures for victims of rape and sexual violence. The fund has been awarded to 62 specialist services over the next two years. Projects that will benefit include We Are Survivors, who provide male-specific sexual assault and rape support, as well as Trafford Rape Crisis, who […]