The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is consulting on proposals to strengthen continuing competence requirements for solicitors in England and Wales. The proposed changes are intended to provide greater assurance that practicing solicitors are maintaining the competence, that are needed to meet both their professional and ethical obligation.
The proposals would require all solicitors to record their learning and development needs, how those needs were identified and how were they addressed, also signing a declaration confirming this. SRA is suggesting that solicitors take part annually in discussions with other solicitors focused on ethical dilemmas and scenarios.
The SRA says its 2025 annual assessment of continuing competence found that most solicitors keep their knowledge and skills up to date but also identified shortcomings in how some solicitors and firms maintain competence. Evidence from monitoring work suggests that current approach is not driving the learning and development behaviours expected from solicitors.
The consultation will run for 12 weeks closing on 15 july 2026, after which the SRA Board will consider the feedback before deciding on any final changes.