Changes to AML guidance ratified by Treasury
Changes to anti-money laundering guidance submitted to HM Treasury have been formally ratified and published in the latest Legal Sector Affinity Group (LSAG) Anti-Money Laundering Guidance for the Legal Sector 2025. LSAG, which is made up of the AML regulators in the UK including the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC), Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and […]
Assisted dying bill passes final reading in Isle of Man
After a two-year battle, Dr Alex Allinson’s, a former GP turned politician, assisted dying bill passed its final reading last week. The law, expected to take effect by 2027, will make the Isle of Man the first place in the British Isles to allow terminally ill patients with less than 12 months to live to […]
New regulatory proposals to strengthen lawyers’ ethical standards
New regulatory measures to strengthen ethical standards in the legal sector have been proposed today, to initiate a significant shift in how lawyers’ ethics are taught, overseen and supported in workplaces. The Legal Services Board (LSB) is seeking views on how regulators support lawyers to fully understand and uphold their ethical duties throughout their careers. […]
Board gives go-ahead for CILEX change
The Board of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has agreed it would regulate Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) members, if CILEX decides to redelegate this to the SRA. CILEX approached the SRA about this potential change in 2022. Last year, the SRA consulted on the arrangements it would introduce for the regulation of authorised CILEX members. Following a […]
SRA Board to decide the future regulation of CILEX members
The Board of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) will this week decide whether to proceed with proposals for the SRA to regulate authorised and non-authorised members of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX). Law Society of England and Wales chief executive officer Ian Jeffery said that they await the SRA Board’s decision in expectation […]
LSB publishes independent review of the SRA’s regulation of SSB Group Limited
The LSB write with regard to the LSB’s review of the SRA’s regulation of SSB Group Limited. They have engaged an independent firm of solicitors, Carson McDowell LLP, to carry out an independent review on our behalf. They have set out below the scope of the review. Please note that the scope of the review […]
SRA ‘should withdraw’ proposals to regulate CILEX members
The Law Society of England and Wales has expressed concern at the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) continued pursuit of regulating authorised and non-authorised members of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX). The SRA’s consultation into proposals to regulate non-authorised members of CILEX lacks clear, evidence-based reasons as to the impact of these proposals on […]
CILEx Regulation raise concerns in SRA consultation response
CILEx Regulation has submitted its response to the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s current consultation launched on 20 March 2024 which sets out their proposals for the regulation of non-authorised CILEX members, including CILEX students, affiliates and paralegals. CRL remains concerned that the wider question of the lawfulness and legitimacy of CILEX’s proposals to redelegate regulatory […]
LSB publishes plans to strengthen regulatory oversight in the public interest
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has published plans for 2024/25 on how it will ensure regulation contributes fully to delivering legal services that better meet the needs of society. The business plan is focused on the regulatory objectives in the Legal Services Act, which the LSB and regulators have a statutory duty to promote. The […]
Legal Services Board confirms interim leadership arrangements
The Legal Services Board has confirmed its interim leadership arrangements while its Board recruits a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This follows Matthew Hill’s resignation from the role in January 2024, ahead of his departure at the end of March. The existing three directors will share leadership responsibilities, while continuing in their current roles. Richard […]
SRA consults on potential regulation of CILEX students and paralegals
The SRA have launched a consultation on rule changes needed to allow the potential regulation of non-authorised Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) members. The suggested arrangements explain the rules that would apply to CILEX paralegals and students should CILEX’s proposal to re-delegate regulation to us go ahead. CILEX published a consultation on its re-delegation proposals […]
Legal regulators must do more on transparency and harm prevention, says LSB
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has published its latest assessment of the performance of the eight legal services regulators. The LSB is the independent body responsible for overseeing the regulation of legal services in England and Wales. In it’s assessment, which covers the period October 2022 to May 2023, the LSB has reviewed the regulators’ […]
Financial watchdog stops thousands of misleading ads and promotions
Over 10,000 financial adverts and other promotions were withdrawn or changed in 2023 following intervention from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), an increase of 17%, year-on-year. The FCA also published 2,285 alerts to help prevent consumers from losing their money to scams, up from 1800 in 2022. After being given new powers by the Government, […]
LSB should renew focus on its core activities, says The Law Society
The Legal Services Board (LSB) should renew focus on its core activities, the Law Society of England and Wales said in response to its 2024/2025 business plan consultation. Law Society president Nick Emmerson said that they would “strongly encourage the LSB to renew focus on its core activities” and “only take on more workstreams based […]
SRA launches review of consumer protection
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), has launched a review of its overall approach to protecting consumers in response to shifting risks in the sector. The review focuses on two main areas. Firstly, how to reduce the risk that something goes wrong at a regulated law firm that causes harm to consumers. The SRA will be […]
LSB confirms review of events leading up to the SRA’s intervention into Axiom Ince
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has confirmed its intention to undertake an independent review of regulatory events leading up to the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) intervention into Axiom Ince. This was a significant case with considerable consumer detriment. In the Board’s view, it will be important for public and professional confidence that any learning can […]
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 […]
Powers of attorney and registered land (PG9)
Advice on the evidence that HM Land Registry needs when an attorney has executed documents lodged for registration (practice guide 9). Change made: Section 7 has been amended as a result of the Powers of Attorney Act 2023. We will now accept a copy of a power of attorney if it has been certified by […]
LSB consults on 2024/25 business plan
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has asked for views on its proposed business plan and budget for the 2024/25 year to ensure it remains focused on “delivering a legal services market that better meets society’s needs.” To achieve this it has outlined a 13.9% increase on last year’s budget of £4.7m, to £5.3m, a real […]
Examples of unethical conduct undermining rule of law – LSB research
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has published new research concluding that proportionate regulation has a role to play in supporting the rule of law and responding to lawyers’ unethical conduct. The report, by Professor Richard Moorhead and Professor Steven Vaughan, explores the professional commitment of lawyers to uphold the rule of law, including promoting respect […]
