The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has published a review of legal firms providing asylum services. The review, which forms part of the ongoing monitoring of immigration legal services in England and Wales, consisted of 25 firms including sole practitioners and firms who held a legal aid contract, as well as five firms that had been visited as part of a 2022 immigration thematic review. The review highlighted that there is general good practice and areas that need improvement.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has published a statement in response to HM Treasury (HMT)'s decision to designate the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as the single professional services supervisor for anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing. The decision follows HMT’s 2023 consultation on reforms to the AML supervision regime and will result in 22 private sector professional bodies, including the SRA, no longer conducting AML supervisory functions. HMT has now launched a consultation on proposals setting out the key duties, powers and accountability mechanisms that the FCA will require in its new role. The SRA stated that it will work with the FCA, government and stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition to the new arrangements, while continuing to fulfil its current AML supervision responsibilities during the interim period.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has published a thematic review based on visits to 25 law firms and discussions with 36 compliance officers, examining how compliance officers for legal practice (COLPs) and finance/administration (COFAs) carry out their regulatory duties. The review found that while most firms had internal compliance controls, only one COLP could fully describe their regulatory obligations and many officers lacked clarity on reporting and record-keeping requirements. Despite 1,377 internal breach reports being available, 86% of compliance officers had not made issues known to the SRA in the preceding three years. The SRA also identified that 44% of firms did not have a deputy compliance officer and that compliance officers typically spent only around 26% of their time on compliance responsibilities, with around 52% reporting stress related to the role and limited support/resources available. The findings will inform the SRA’s ongoing consumer protection work and development of enhanced guidance and support for compliance officers.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has published a thematic review of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs). In its review the SRA visited and filed inspections across a range of regulated firms which did not include those currently subject to an investigation and it found that amongst firms visited there was good overall awareness on the issues of SLAPPs. The review found that most firms were aware of a warning notice issued on SLAPPs in 2022 and more than half said they had changed working practices since then. The standard of training on SLAPPs and conduct in disputes was also found to be good. However, the SRA did express concern around the lack of processes and controls regarding the use of third parties instructed by firms to work on their behalf. The SRA has said that the findings from the review, alongside feedback from stakeholders, will inform an updated version of its warning notice on SLAPPs.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has published a thematic review examining three law firm growth models: accumulation, acquisition and consultant recruitment strategies. The review found links between rushed due diligence processes and subsequent firm failures, while identifying that successful acquisitions prioritised integration planning and cultural compatibility. The findings will inform the SRA's Consumer Protection Review and proposed consultation on oversight of firms significantly changing their profile, expected in 2026.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has published a thematic review examining law firms' compliance with source of funds and wealth requirements under the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (MLR 2017). The review, based on three years of supervisory data and engagement with 19 firms, found that of more than 5,800 files reviewed in 2024-2025, 11% lacked source of funds checks and 18% showed inadequate scrutiny of evidence. In 8% of cases, the source of funds recorded in ledgers was not supported by collected evidence. The SRA identified challenges including inadequate document scrutiny, record-keeping issues, and firms collecting but not assessing evidence. The review highlights that 73% of suspicious activity reports submitted to the National Crime Agency related to conveyancing transactions. In response, the SRA has developed new resources including frequently asked questions, information gathering forms, case studies, and enforcement examples to support firms in conducting effective checks. The review sets out clear expectations for audit trails, ongoing monitoring obligations, and enhanced due diligence for high-risk matters, particularly emphasising that compliance requires understanding fund origins rather than merely collecting documentation.

The Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) has published an update to its sectoral risk assessment for anti-money laundering and terrorist financing. The update was published on 5 March 2024. The previous update was on 24 July 2023.

The Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) has published an update to its Sectoral Risk Assessment for anti-money laundering and terrorist financing. The update was published on 31 July 2025. The previous update was on 5 March 2024.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has published a report on its year three evaluation of the SRA reforms. The key findings from this externally commissioned evaluation include that consumers using regulated firms demonstrate a high level of awareness of the protections available to them, whereas awareness levels of protections available are lower for those using non-regulated providers. The report shows the new practising options are improving access to a solicitor and cost less for consumers, but the impact is limited due to the low take-up of these practising options. The number of freelance solicitors has continued to increase from around 300 at the year one evaluation to around 600 at this three year evaluation.

The way the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) regulates the solicitors’ profession has been evolving since its inception. This Practice Note outlines the SRA regulatory regime including the people and activities it regulates and how it regulates them. It reflects the requirements of the SRA Standards and Regulations. The Solicitors Regulation Authority The SRA is the independent regulatory arm of the Law Society. It regulates the solicitors’ profession in England and Wales—both individuals and entities providing legal services. The SRA’s purpose is to ensure consumers receive a good service and that the rule of law is upheld. It does not represent the solicitors’ profession, which is the function of the Law Society. For more information on the structure, role and powers of the SRA, see Practice Note: Solicitors Regulation authority. Who the SRA regulates As well as regulating individuals, the SRA regulates all types of business model as entities, including sole practitioners and alternative business structures (ABSs). This is known as firm-based regulation. Direct regulation of individuals The SRA directly authorises and regulates the following individuals

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has published its annual Anti-Money Laundering (AML) report for 2023-24. In a foreword to the report, Paul Phillip, Chief Executive of the SRA highlights that over the past year, increased regulatory requirements have intensified scrutiny on economic crime, emphasising the key role solicitors play in preventing money laundering in legal services. The report sets out SRA's objective to prevent and address financial sanctions evasion.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has published findings from comprehensive research on risk perceptions and management practices in the legal sector. The study, involving a survey of 515 solicitors and in-depth interviews, revealed that regulatory compliance and cybercrime are perceived as the top risks. While most solicitors report confidence in risk management, there is notably less assurance regarding lawtech and artificial intelligence. The research highlighted disparities between firm types, with smaller firms more concerned about economic pressures. Respondents expressed a desire for more targeted, relevant guidance from the SRA, preferably communicated via email. The SRA will be using the findings of the research alongside the findings of a separate thematic review on professional obligations, also published on 13 December, to look at its approach to communications.