English firms backed by private equity are entering the Scottish legal market in anticipation of alternative business structure (ABS) reform. Although ABSs have been permitted in principle since the Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2010, the regulatory regime has still not been implemented, even after the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025 removed the earlier requirement for…
SRA ten-year diversity data shows progress but persistent gaps remain
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has published ten years of law firm diversity data for England and Wales, offering a longer-term picture of how representation across the profession has changed since 2015. The figures show progress in several areas, with the proportion of women in the profession rising from 48% to 55% over the period, and…
Legal Services Board publishes interim findings on litigation guidance
The Legal Services Board of England and Wales has published interim findings from its review of how frontline regulators provide guidance on the scope of litigation activities, following the High Court’s decision in Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys. The Mazur judgment highlighted uncertainty around what constitutes the “conduct of litigation” under the Legal Services Act…
Four-year review of the SQE highlights early impacts on entry to the profession
The Solicitors Regulation Authority of England and Wales has published a four-year review of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination, providing a substantial dataset on candidate demographics, pass rates, and performance trends since the SQE replaced traditional qualification routes. The review reports changes in the profile of SQE candidates, including higher representation from some minority ethnic backgrounds…
Legal Services Board publishes plans to tackle barriers to a more diverse legal services profession
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has released a set of new proposals aimed at addressing persistent barriers to equality, diversity and inclusion within the legal services profession. Despite incremental progress, the sector continues to fall short of reflecting the diversity of the communities it serves. Women, minoritised ethnic groups and disabled individuals remain significantly underrepresented,…
Solicitors Regulation Authority warns of rising risks in high-volume consumer claims
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has issued a comprehensive update highlighting growing concerns about the way high-volume consumer claims are being handled in the legal sector. While this model can provide an accessible route for consumers to enforce their rights, the regulator warns that poor practices by some law firms and claims management companies (CMCs)…
Confronting systemic barriers: the push for true equity in the United Kingdom legal profession
The Guardian newspaper published an article on 12 October 2025 highlighting the continued underrepresentation of Black talent in the legal profession in the United Kingdom and the resistance faced when initiatives aimed at improving diversity are introduced. Pauline Campbell, Chair of the Race Equality Network, argues that the legal industry must stop acting as if…
Pooled client accounts: Proposed changes risk placing substantial new burdens on solicitors
The Law Society of England and Wales has raised strong concerns regarding the UK Government’s proposed amendments to the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing (Amendment and Miscellaneous Provision) Regulations 2025. The draft regulations would require solicitors to conduct full customer due diligence on all clients whose funds are held in pooled client accounts—bank accounts where a…
Solicitors Regulation Authority moves to strengthen oversight of high-volume consumer claims sector
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) of England and Wales has intensified its scrutiny of the high-volume consumer claims (HVCC) market, where law firms handle mass claims such as housing disrepair, data breaches, and motor finance complaints. While the HVCC model can enhance access to justice, the SRA’s thematic review has revealed widespread compliance and transparency…
The Law Society features Colm Ó Cinnéide on rising threats to the rule oflaw
The Gazette of the Law Society of England and Wales has featured an article by Colm Ó Cinnéide, Professor of Constitutional and Human Rights Law at University College London, warning of growing threats to the rule of law in the UK and abroad. He stresses that the rule of law—power constrained by legal norms and…