Effective supervision is a regulatory requirement for law firms, as well as being good practice. It can help manage the risk of negligence, as well as other regulatory risks. File reviews are an effective supervision tool, but they are unlikely to be a complete answer to supervision.
The SRA's core regulatory requirements in relation to supervision are found in the two Codes of Conduct (the SRA Code of Conduct for Solicitors, RELs, RFLs and RSLs and the SRA Code of Conduct for Firms), which should be read in the context of the SRA Principles. Requirements can also be found in the SRA Authorisation of Firms Rules, SRA Education, Training and Assessment Provider Relations, SRA Transparency Rules, and SRA Authorisation of Individuals Regulations.
Cumulatively, SRA and other regulatory requirements in relation to supervision cover the following themes:
management control
service and competence
information requirements
additional Lexcel requirements
education and training, and
supervision of registered foreign lawyers (RFLs)
file reviews
supervision of specific activities
See further Practice Note: Supervision—regulatory requirements—law firms and Supervision—checklist—law firms.
To grant authorisation
To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.
**Trials are provided to all LexisNexis content, excluding Practice Compliance, Practice Management and Risk and Compliance, subscription packages are tailored to your specific needs. To discuss trialling these LexisNexis services please email customer service via our online form. Free trials are only available to individuals based in the UK, Ireland and selected UK overseas territories and Caribbean countries. We may terminate this trial at any time or decide not to give a trial, for any reason. Trial includes one question to LexisAsk during the length of the trial.
The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has imposed a monetary penalty of £4,732,830.58 on Citibank, N.A., London Branch (CBNA London)...
HM Treasury (HMT) has announced its intention to double the maximum fine available to the Office for Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) from...
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has announced that a confidential out-of-court settlement has been reached between Eurasian Natural Resources...
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has launched a consultation on draft guidance on the use of anonymisation and pseudonymisation for...
File audits or file reviews—the basicsThere is no specific regulatory requirement to have a file audit/review process. However, firms that have or wish to achieve Lexcel accreditation must have a file review system in place and professional indemnity (PI) insurers often enquire about a file review
Can I charge a client for retrieving and or returning their file?This Q&A deals with the common question: can I charge a client for retrieving and/or returning their file? The answer may well depend on why the client is making the request.There do not appear to be any SRA requirements, but the Law
Who owns the matter file—law firms?Law firm matter/case files typically contain a range of documentation and information, which can be held electronically and/or printed in a physical file.Very broadly speaking the file belongs to the client, subject to a limited number of documents which belong to
How to close a client matter—law firmsClosing a client matter properly is a basic client care, risk management and housekeeping requirement. There are also regulatory and best practice issues to consider.This How-to guide covers the practical steps involved in, and regulatory and other
0330 161 1234