SRA Update

Issue 108 - October 2022

General updates
Compliance updates

Welcome to the latest issue of SRA Update. It’s October, and that means that not only has the new legal year begun – something that has great significance for so many of us – but also it’s practising renewal time. The window is now open and closes on 31 October. There is a range of information on our website to help you complete the process. We also have a number of webinars coming up this month on a range of subjects, such as SQE, and neurodiversity. And we have several current consultations on which we would welcome your feedback, including running our own indemnity scheme for negligence claims made after six years of a firm closing, our new financial penalties regime and updates to the police representatives accreditation scheme.

Practising renewals window now open

You can now renew your practising certificates and registrations. The deadline to complete your application is 31 October 2022 and there are no new questions this year. See the exact application questions, access supporting guidance – including a helpful video for bulk renewal applications – and a range of FAQs by visiting our website.

SRA-run indemnity scheme for post six-year negligence

We are consulting on the arrangements and rules for an indemnity scheme that we run. This would provide future consumer protection for post six-year negligence, which will come into effect from September 2023. Have your say on the proposals.

Keeping of the Roll returns next year

Following changes in laws regarding how personal data is used, we are reintroducing a requirement for those without practising certificates to tell us you wish to remain on the roll of solicitors. Ahead of this it is important that all solicitors without a practising certificate check that their contact details within mySRA are up to date.

Proposed changes to police station representatives scheme

Following a review of our Police Station Representatives Accreditation Scheme, we are making some minor changes. These will guarantee the process is robust and the appropriate standards are delivered consistently across the two organisations carrying out the assessments. Have your say on our proposals.

Webinar – SQE2 feedback from the first assessment

Join us for an update on how the assessment went, the experiences of candidates and further details about the results at our free webinar. Our Director of Education, Julie Swan, will be joined by our independent assessor and our provider Kaplan on Monday 10 October.

Have your say on detail of new approach to fines

Have your say on the detail of planned reforms to our approach to issuing financial penalties. Among the areas we are consulting on are proposals to link all fine levels to income/turnover, a new fixed penalty regime for lower-level misconduct and trialling victim impact statements.

Webinar – creating inclusive workplaces for neurodivergent lawyers

Join our free webinar, where we will be joined by the Neurodiverse Lawyer Project, to discuss how you can make your workplace more inclusive for neurodivergent staff. It takes place on Tuesday 18 October, and topics include potential barriers to inclusivity and steps firms can take to mitigate against these.

Join us at LegalEx 2022

Join us, and hundreds of other speakers and exhibitors from across the legal sector at LegalEx 2022. The event runs from 22 to 23 November at ExCeL London. Topics to be discussed at the SRA keynote theatre will include AML & financial sanctions, technology and innovation, cybercrime, the SQE, immigration and more besides.

Tell us what you think about the SQE

As part of our ten-year SQE evaluation programme, we are asking you what you think about the SQE. Share your views on the changes to how solicitors qualify, the SQE assessments and qualifying working experience. Deadline is 31 October and it should only take 5-10 minutes to complete.

Your health, your career

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 Compliance News section of the latest issue of SRA Update. Booking is now open for our conference in Birmingham in November, as well as for the virtual events we’ll hold the following week for those that can’t make it. Make sure you secure your place. There is also information on the government extending sanctions against Russia, and guidance on sexual misconduct acting with integrity. And the Association of British Investigators is looking to introduce a code of conduct for its members and others – it might be useful to make yourself familiar with this.

Compliance Officers Conference 2022 – bookings now open

This year’s Compliance Officers Conference will take place on Tuesday 8 November at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham. The event is your opportunity to network and meet with the SRA and others face-to-face. You’ll have the chance to discuss a wide range of issues directly relevant to day-to-day compliance within your firm.

Further government Russian sanctions

We have already told you about the sanctions the government has put in place in response to Russia’s ongoing military offensive in Ukraine. The government has said it will impose further restrictions on transactional legal services (not legal advice) for Russian clients. Implementation dates have yet to be announced.

Association of British Investigators, draft code of conduct

The Association of British Investigators has drafted a code of conduct to make sure investigative and litigation support service providers comply with their data protection obligations. This still needs approval by the Information Commissioners Office. The legal profession is the largest source of commissions for ABI members, so you should become familiar with the code’s contents.

Guidance on dealing with sexual misconduct cases

We continue to get reports of potential sexual misconduct in the firms we regulate. This is an issue we take very seriously. Read our new guidance to understand our approach in this area, our expectations on firms and individuals, the types of behaviours which are unacceptable, and when such issues might become regulatory matters.

Acting with integrity – guidance updated

Many of the issues raised in sexual misconduct cases relate to a lack of integrity. For this and other areas, we have therefore updated that guidance too, including clarification around the latest case law and how that informs our approach.

Your obligations during Criminal Bar Association action

The Criminal Bar Association is continuing with its action in protest at Legal Aid levels. You and your clients might be affected by this action. Read our guidance reminding you of your obligations should you encounter such situations.

Transparency rules – more checks on website information

We will soon be starting a rolling programme of checks on all law firm websites to make sure you are complying with our transparency rules. Ahead of this, please take a moment to double check you are compliant with all of our transparency requirements.

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