SRA | Closed consultations | Solicitors Regulation Authority

Consultations that have closed are listed below. When they are available, summaries and analyses of responses and policy decision announcements are included. For details, please follow the links.

Closed consultations

Solicitor higher court advocates – proposal for mandatory re-accreditation

Express your views on whether the SRA should require solicitors who exercise rights of audience in the higher courts to complete a re-accreditation process.

Start—21 January 2009
End—16 April 2009
Status—CLOSED, board decision announced

Better regulation: A new approach to regulating legal services firms and solicitors

We are seeking views on the way we plan to adapt our policies relating to enforcement and disciplinary action in the light of our new statutory powers relating to firms.

Start—6 January 2009
End—31 March 2009
Status—CLOSED, report on responses available

Regulatory-risk information requirements – 2009

The SRA is developing processes to regulate firms as well as individuals, as a means of regulating legal services more effectively and efficiently, and according to risk. You are invited to participate in a consultation on the information we propose to seek from firms in 2009, as a first step.

Start—6 January 2009
End—31 March 2009
Status—CLOSED, report on responses available

Conflict and confidentiality rules – proposed amendments

We invite comments on proposals to amend the rules dealing with conflicts of interest (rule 3) and the duties of confidentiality and disclosure (rule 4). The proposal in relation to rule 3 would extend the circumstances under which firms can act with clients' consent where there is a conflict of interests and, in relation to rule 4, extend the circumstances under which information barriers can be used. These proposals represent significant change and we would very much like views from all practitioners and other stakeholders.

Start—11 December 2008
End—31 March 2009
Status—CLOSED, analysis of responses in progress

New disciplinary powers – public rebukes and fines

You are invited to comment on the draft SRA (Disciplinary Procedure) Rules. We anticipate that new statutory powers to fine and rebuke will come into force on 1 March 2009, and we hope to be able to introduce the rules as soon as possible after that date.

Start—1 December 2008
End—13 February 2009
Status—CLOSED, analysis of responses in progress