SRA Update
Issue 140 - June 2025
Welcome to the latest SRA Update. We may finally be heading toward the summer, but I am sure that, like us, you are as busy as ever. With this in mind, I wanted to highlight a number of upcoming regulatory requirements, opportunities and chances for you to have your say on future changes to how we, and the wider sector operates. There is still time for you to have your say on our proposed work programme and budget for next year. Plus, we have opened a consultation on potential rule changes regarding how law firms identify and handle complaints. There are a number of newly recorded and imminent events and webinars now available for you to sign up for or view on our website – please do take a look.
Paul Philip
Chief Executive
Our collection of firm diversity data starts 09 June. All SRA-regulated firms must collect, report and publish data about the diversity make-up of their workforce every two years. The data all firms will need to provide is outlined on our website.
Read more about: Firm diversity data collection starts 09 June
All firms will receive complaints from clients. Although sometimes challenging, if handled constructively, how you deal with such issues can actually present opportunities to build relationships and improve how you do business. We are consulting on rule amendments that change when you might give your clients complaints information, and which define what a complaint is.
Read more about: First-tier complaints - proposed rule changes
A new approach to how long details of regulatory and disciplinary outcomes about solicitors and law firms are published, with publication lengths varying based on seriousness, has come into effect as of 2 June 2025. The changes are designed to deliver a considered approach which is fair, proportionate and best serves the public interest.
Read more about: Introduction of varying publication periods for decisions
We are continuing to consult on our latest Business Plan and budget, and compensation fund contributions for next year. If you want to have your say, you have until 19 June to do so.
Read more about: Have your say on our Business Plan and budget
You can find out more detail about our proposed plans and priorities for the year ahead by watching our webinar, which we held last month. You can find out what this means for your practising certificate fee, while participants had the opportunity to put their questions to our executive directors.
Read more about: Watch our webinar to find out about our plans
Our latest free webinar, Studying for the SQE, offers key insights from aspiring and qualified solicitors. Hear personal experiences and get valuable insights into how candidates can prepare for the assessments. It takes place on Wednesday 25 June.
As part of our work measuring performance against our corporate strategy, you might be contacted by research company Thinks with a survey. This will explore your views on progress against our mission to drive trust and confidence in legal services. If asked to take part, responses will not be personally identifiable to you. It builds on the research we published last year to assess levels of confidence and trust in legal services and what drives it.
Book yourself a spot at our free Innovate event in Birmingham on Thursday 3 July. Gain insights and valuable advice on navigating the evolving technology landscape, including AI, from fellow solicitors and industry experts.
Read more about: Navigating technology and AI – free Birmingham event
Got a burning question for us? Then join us for an informal roundtable and networking event with senior members of our team. Speak to us about the regulatory issues which most concern and impact you on a day-to-day basis. We will be in Leeds on June 10 and Birmingham on July 3.
Hear direct from our AML investigations team on our approach when we discover non-compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) legislation. This webinar also includes enforcement case studies and a question-and-answer session.
Read more about: Our approach to AML enforcement – watch on-demand
This webinar aimed specifically at sole practitioners has proved popular, with 300 having watched it already and plenty of questions on the day. Watch now for practical hints and tips and check out the additional resources for answers to questions we didn’t get to cover in the session.
Read more about: AML for sole practitioners – watch on-demand
Our recent virtual SQE conference offered the latest on qualifying work experience, featuring perspectives and experiences from employers and a newly qualified solicitor. It also covered our SQE annual reports, insights on assessments and answers to common candidate questions. Read our summary for the key highlights and watch all sessions on-demand
Read more about: SQE Virtual Conference – get the highlights
The Legal Ombudsman is publishing a series of blogs to provide insights for firms on common problems, with the aim of reducing complaints being made by clients. The second article has just been published and looks at third-party delays.
Under the SQE route, all solicitors are eligible to confirm an SQE candidate’s period of qualifying work experience. Even if you haven’t been involved in approving training, you might be asked to do this.
Read more about: Do you know what to do to confirm qualifying work experience?
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
Welcome to the latest issue of Compliance News. We provide the key points to note following a recent update to UK government sanctions on Russia. We also encourage all firms to read our article on The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) first-ever Legal Services Threat Assessment. There is a reminder about managing the risks when involved in a law firm merger and important guidance about providing expert witness services. Finally, with the summer approaching you will once again soon be required to provide information on how you manage AML and financial sanctions risk. Prepare for this by reading the support materials on our website.
Paul Philip
Chief Executive
The UK government has implemented further sanctions under the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. These updates are part of coordinated international efforts to restrict activities that undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
It has been reported that appetite for mergers among small and mid-sized firms has decreased in the last year. However, if your firm is considering a merger or acquisition, you should make sure you read our warning notice to understand your obligations.
This year’s anti-money laundering (AML) and sanction data collection will take place in July. Firms will need to provide information about AML and financial sanctions activity and how you manage this. We will contact compliance officers with more information about what to expect and when. A sample questionnaire is now available to help you prepare.
The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has released its first-ever Legal Services Threat Assessment, setting out the main sanctions compliance risks facing the legal sector. We welcome this report and encourage all firms to consider its findings.
In case you missed it, the Legal Sector Affinity Group (LSAG) anti-money laundering (AML) guidance was updated in April. LSAG is made up of all the legal AML supervisory bodies. Updates include changes to the proceeds of crime regime, a revised approach to due diligence on bodies corporate, and further guidance on source of funds checks.
Read more about: Anti-money laundering guidance for legal sector
Our highly successful conference will be returning on 21 October in Birmingham. Bookings will open in July. The accompanying virtual conference will run November 3-6. For those of you who missed last year’s sessions, you can catch up via our on-demand facility.
Read more about: Compliance Officers Conference 2025 - save the date!
The Royal Institute for Chartered Surveyors has issued a practice alert to remind members of their obligations when providing expert witness services. Specifically, it mentions work in housing disrepair and other high-volume work. And MedCo has updated its guidance on examinations for personal injury claims. You might need to be aware of these updates.
Read more about: Reminders about expert evidence in high-volume work
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