The focus on how UK businesses interact with those connected to certain countries and organisations – and the Government’s sanctions regime – has increased since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. There have been a number of changes to the regime, so the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has published guidance to help law firms in England…
Solicitors Regulation Authority of England and Wales warns about involvement in SLAPPs
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has issued a warning notice to the 200,000 solicitors it regulates about the use of abusive litigation aimed at silencing legitimate critics Known as strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), these continue to be of concern for both the SRA and the public. It has therefore produced a warning notice…
The Legal Services Consumer Panel in England and Wales has found ethnic minority clients feel they are not listened to by lawyers
New qualitative research commissioned by the Legal Services Consumer Panel of England and Wales highlights that ethnic minority consumers have lower levels of satisfaction with legal services they have received. The report also suggests ways in which they can be improved. The in-depth engagement with ethnic minority consumers shows that they want prompt, proactive and…
The Legal Services Board of England and Wales publishes new regulatory performance framework
The Legal Service Board, the oversight regulatory of England and Wales, has published a new approach to regulatory performance. This new approach invites the frontline legal regulators to take the lead on demonstrating that they are well-led and have an effective approach to regulating in the public interest. The new approach encourages regulators to continually improve…
The Legal Services Board of England and Wales consulted on experiences of diversity and inclusion in the legal profession
The LSB conducted qualitative research into legal professionals’ lived experiences of counter-inclusive practices. This is with the aim of informing future LSB research and policy activity on equality, diversity and inclusion. The research will also be shared amongst other regulators and professional bodies to better understand the barriers people face during their careers and to…
Solicitors Regulation Authority opens consultation on new indemnity scheme
The SRA is consulting on the arrangements and rules of an indemnity scheme that they run to provide future consumer protection for post six-year negligence. This follows a decision by the Board in September that an SRA-run indemnity scheme offered the most cost-effective and proportionate solution to providing appropriate consumer protection for post six-year claims….
The Bar Standards Board of England and Wales releases reports on diversity and equality in training
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has today published two new research reports, the first looking at Bar training providers’ approaches to equality and diversity and the second examining students’ experiences of these approaches. The reports form part of the Board’s commitment to ensuring that access to training for the Bar is open to all on…
Solicitors Regulation Authority of England and Wales publishes first ever Solicitors Qualification Exam 2 results
The first SQE2 assessment results have been released, with 77 per cent of candidates passing the assessment. The exam was taken in April by 726 candidates in 24 countries. Candidates were only allowed to take the SQE2 assessments if they had passed SQE1 or had otherwise demonstrated that they had appropriate legal knowledge. The 53…
Legal Services Board of England and Wales sets new expectations to ensure lawyers remain competent throughout their careers
The Legal Services Board has published a new statutory statement of policy on ongoing competence. It sets clear outcomes that the legal services regulators should meet to ensure that lawyers have the necessary skills, knowledge and behaviours to provide good quality legal services. The launch of the new statement comes on the back of extensive policy development…
CILEx, the legal executive professional body in England & Wales, seeks regulator switch
CILEX (the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives), which is recognised under the Legal Services Act 2007 as the front line regulator for legal executives is looking to switch regulators. Currently ‘specialist’ CILEx lawyers, legal executives and paralegals are regulated by CILEx Regulation (CRL), the separate regulatory arm that was established as a result of the…