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Hub AI
Solicitors Regulation Authority AI simulator
(@Solicitors Regulation Authority_simulator)
Hub AI
Solicitors Regulation Authority AI simulator
(@Solicitors Regulation Authority_simulator)
Solicitors Regulation Authority
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is the regulatory body for solicitors in England and Wales.
It is responsible for regulating the professional conduct of more than 125,000 solicitors and other authorised individuals at more than 11,000 firms, as well as those working in-house at private and public sector organisations.
The SRA, based in Birmingham with offices in London and Cardiff, is led operationally by a Chief Executive and Senior Management Team, with a Board and Board Sub-Committees providing strategic direction.
The SRA was formed in January 2007 by the Legal Services Act 2007 to act as the independent regulator of solicitors. While formerly an arm of the Law Society, the SRA is a statutory creation and operationally independent of the Law Society. In a report by Sir David Clementi of all legal services in England and Wales, he recommended that professional bodies holding both regulatory and representative responsibilities should separate those roles. The government adopted this recommendation.
The Law Society remains the representative body for solicitors.
In October 2024, an investigation conducted by Carson McDowell LLP concluded that the SRA failed to act adequately, effectively and efficiently with regard to its investigation of Axiom Ince, a law firm which subsequently collapsed in 2023, with the loss of 1,400 jobs and over £60 million in client money. Insurance contributions on solicitors firms have risen by 270% to meet the costs of the resulting shortfall. The LSB has confirmed that it will initiate enforcement action against the SRA to ensure that the SRA learn appropriate lessons from this grotesque incompetence, and that such a disaster will never be repeated. Unfortunately, rather than display contrition and humility, the SRA's chair and chief executive, Anna Bradley and Paul Philip respectively, have responded with arrogance and contempt, each refusing to accept the outcome of the independent investigation. Accordingly, pressure grew on these individuals to resign. Philip duly announced his resignation in February 2025.
Revelations of further incompetence swiftly followed. In Octobder 2025, it was revealed that, for five years, the SRA had ignored red flags concerning the failed firm SSB Law. Following the same, the Government announced that it was stripping the SRA of its ability to regulate AML enforcement, since its competence could no longer be trusted. Bradley has continued to resist calls that she take accountability for these failures and resign.
The profession of solicitor has been self-regulated for centuries. The Law Society acquired its first Royal Charter in 1831 and the new Charter in 1845 defined the Society as an independent, private body servicing the affairs of the profession like other professional, literary and scientific bodies. In 1834, the Society first initiated proceedings against dishonest practitioners. By 1907, the Society possessed a statutory disciplinary committee, and was empowered to investigate solicitors' accounts and to issue annual practising certificates. In 1983, the Society established the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors to deal with complaints about solicitors.
Solicitors Regulation Authority
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is the regulatory body for solicitors in England and Wales.
It is responsible for regulating the professional conduct of more than 125,000 solicitors and other authorised individuals at more than 11,000 firms, as well as those working in-house at private and public sector organisations.
The SRA, based in Birmingham with offices in London and Cardiff, is led operationally by a Chief Executive and Senior Management Team, with a Board and Board Sub-Committees providing strategic direction.
The SRA was formed in January 2007 by the Legal Services Act 2007 to act as the independent regulator of solicitors. While formerly an arm of the Law Society, the SRA is a statutory creation and operationally independent of the Law Society. In a report by Sir David Clementi of all legal services in England and Wales, he recommended that professional bodies holding both regulatory and representative responsibilities should separate those roles. The government adopted this recommendation.
The Law Society remains the representative body for solicitors.
In October 2024, an investigation conducted by Carson McDowell LLP concluded that the SRA failed to act adequately, effectively and efficiently with regard to its investigation of Axiom Ince, a law firm which subsequently collapsed in 2023, with the loss of 1,400 jobs and over £60 million in client money. Insurance contributions on solicitors firms have risen by 270% to meet the costs of the resulting shortfall. The LSB has confirmed that it will initiate enforcement action against the SRA to ensure that the SRA learn appropriate lessons from this grotesque incompetence, and that such a disaster will never be repeated. Unfortunately, rather than display contrition and humility, the SRA's chair and chief executive, Anna Bradley and Paul Philip respectively, have responded with arrogance and contempt, each refusing to accept the outcome of the independent investigation. Accordingly, pressure grew on these individuals to resign. Philip duly announced his resignation in February 2025.
Revelations of further incompetence swiftly followed. In Octobder 2025, it was revealed that, for five years, the SRA had ignored red flags concerning the failed firm SSB Law. Following the same, the Government announced that it was stripping the SRA of its ability to regulate AML enforcement, since its competence could no longer be trusted. Bradley has continued to resist calls that she take accountability for these failures and resign.
The profession of solicitor has been self-regulated for centuries. The Law Society acquired its first Royal Charter in 1831 and the new Charter in 1845 defined the Society as an independent, private body servicing the affairs of the profession like other professional, literary and scientific bodies. In 1834, the Society first initiated proceedings against dishonest practitioners. By 1907, the Society possessed a statutory disciplinary committee, and was empowered to investigate solicitors' accounts and to issue annual practising certificates. In 1983, the Society established the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors to deal with complaints about solicitors.