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Consumer polling: Summary of consumer research conducted to inform the SRA's consumer protection review

The SRA conducted online polling with 2,009 consumers using the online consumer panel, Prolific. The polling sought to determine some aspects of awareness of consumer protection and regulation of legal services, gauging how essential consumers feel a range of protections to be as well as capturing views on client accounts.

Client money consumer protection arrangements

In 2023 the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) carried out twice as many interventions (closing down a firm to protect clients’ interests) as in 2022, including high profile closures. There are signals that the nature of risk in the sector is changing, and so the SRA is considering its response to risk.

How other regulators and jurisdictions hold client money

This research seeks to identify alternatives to client money handling and to evaluate the benefits and disadvantages of these models (to consumers, law firms and the SRA) and any other factors to consider.

How other regulators and jurisdictions manage consumer compensation funds

Legal sector consultancy Hook Tangaza undertook research for the SRA in May-June 2024 into consumer compensation arrangements in jurisdictions outside England and Wales, as well as those offered by other professions.

Future market changes in the legal sector and their potential impact on client money

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) commissioned Frontier Economics to study future market changes in the legal sector and their potential impact on client money, in the context of their Consumer Protection Review.

Anti Money Laundering Training – Thematic Review

Anti-money laundering (AML) training is one of the most effective controls to prevent fee earners and firms becoming inadvertently involved in money laundering. Staff awareness has long been recognised as a key AML and counter terrorist funding (CTF) control.

Anti-Money Laundering Annual Report 2023-24

Money laundering is not a victimless crime. It is a blight on our economy, on our society and on the lives of many often vulnerable individuals. Our annual Anti Money Laundering (AML) report details our work in this area and highlights key information on specific areas of our AML work for the 2024-24 fiscal year.

An analysis of the factors causing overrepresentation of Black, Asian and minority ethnic solicitors in reports made to the SRA and in reports taken forward for investigation - Appendices A to E

These appendices are part of the analysis of the factors causing overrepresentation of Black, Asian and minority ethnic solicitors in reports made to the SRA and in reports taken forward for investigation.

Overrepresentation of Black, Asian and minority ethnic solicitors in reports to the SRA: Perceptions from the profession on the factors driving reports

The universities of York, Lancaster, and Cardiff were commissioned by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to understand the reasons why there is overrepresentation of Black, Asian and minority ethnic solicitors in reports to the SRA. There are two main components to the research

Overrepresentation of Black, Asian and minority ethnic solicitors in reports to the SRA: the impact of socio-cognitive bias on the likelihood that people will complain about potential misconduct to the SRA

The universities of York, Lancaster, and Cardiff were commissioned by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to understand the reasons why there is overrepresentation of Black, Asian and minority ethnic solicitors in reports to the SRA.