SRA Update
SRA Update Issue 93 June 2021
Welcome to the latest issue of SRA Update as we all look forward to emerging from many of the Covid-19 restrictions. We are also looking ahead to next year’s business planning so please take time to read our consultation and feedback on our proposals. The September introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination is not far away – in this update you find details on a range of webinars to support firms, candidates and the wider sector on this, as well as details of the new SQE candidate website going live.
Paul Philip
Chief Executive
Have your say on our future plans by taking part in our 2021-22 Business Plan consultation. As well as outlining our planned areas of work for the year ahead, the plan also outlines how we intend to allocate our budget and the proposed compensation fund contributions and level of our part of the practising certificate fee.
If you have a mySRA account, please log in and check/update your diversity information. It’s an important part of working towards a truly diverse profession. Some questions asked within this section have been recently updated, but reviewing your data is straight forward and should take no more than five minutes.
Restricting the fees that can be charged in relation to work on mis-sold financial products and services is a duty brought about by the Financial Guidance and Claims Act 2018. Following the recent publication of information by the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) in this area, we will be consulting on proposals to restrict fees within our sector. If you work in this area and want to have a say on any potential changes, get in touch to register your interest.
We are running a pilot scheme to trial further approaches to improving the information available to the public about lawyers and their services. We are encouraging firms, their clients and review comparison websites to engage with each other, producing feedback that is useful for all at a time when we know consumers are increasingly looking online for services. There is still time to get involved and for you to test how comparison websites could work best for your firm.
We want to know your views about the types of SQE assessment data that will help aspiring solicitors make informed choices about qualification, training routes and providers. We plan to make this data available publicly as it should interest organisations that employ solicitors. Research conducted last year shows there is interest in a broad set of SQE assessment data, ranging from the universities candidates graduated from, to demographic characteristics such as age and ethnicity. Tell us your views by Friday 25 June.
A website dedicated to our new Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is now available. It provides a one-stop shop for all SQE information, including assessment specifications and sample questions, assessment dates and venues, and how to book.
Qualifying work experience is a key part of our new Solicitors Qualifying Examination. Both aspiring solicitors and employers will need to be aware of how to record it for verification purposes. We have published information for law firms and other qualifying work experience (QWE) providers on what to consider when thinking about their QWE approach.
Read more about: Qualifying work experience – what employers need to consider
Anna Bradley has been reappointed as the Chair of our Board for a second three-year term. Anna will be the SRA Chair until December 2024, having originally taken up the post in January 2019.
Read more about: Anna Bradley reappointed as Chair of the Board
The Legal Ombudsman has updated its Best Practice Complaint Handling Guide The guide looks at key steps in the process, including case studies and links to more detailed guidance.
Read more about: Updated complaint-handling guide from the Legal Ombudsman
We are holding a free webinar aimed at local law societies to explain how our new Solicitors Qualifying Examination will change the way aspiring solicitors gain admission to the profession. As well as what’s different, viewers can learn about the opportunities the new qualification route offers. The webinar takes place on Thursday 17 June.
Read more about: Webinar – local law societies; how qualifying is changing
Are you worried about your health affecting your work? Life as a solicitor can be challenging and the demands and pressures can easily build up. We can signpost you to sources of help and make adjustments for you if you are in difficulty.
Welcome to the Compliance News section of the latest issue of SRA Update as we all look forward to emerging from many of the Covid restrictions. We are also looking ahead to next year’s business planning and currently consulting so please take time to read our proposals and feedback your thoughts. We also have further information on the high-risk third countries you should be aware of to make sure you comply with your anti-money laundering obligations.
Paul Philip
Chief Executive
Have your say on our future plans by taking part in our 2021-22 Business Plan consultation. As well as outlining our planned areas of work for the year ahead, the plan also outlines how we intend to allocate our budget and the proposed compensation fund contributions and level of our part of the practising certificate fee.
It’s that time of year again where we ask you to make a note in your diaries for the Compliance Officers Conference. This year’s event will take place on Tuesday 23 November, at the ICC in Birmingham, subject of course to whatever Government restrictions relating to social distancing are in place at that time.
Read more about: Save the date: Compliance Officers Conference 2021
The Civil Liability Act 2018 (CLA) and the Whiplash Injury Regulations - more commonly known as the whiplash reforms –came into effect at the start of this week. One of the effects is that you will only be able to the make, solicit, accept and receive an offer to settle after seeing appropriate evidence of injury. We will be amended our Regulatory and Disciplinary Procedure Rules to reflect this change.
If you have a mySRA account, please log in and check/update your diversity information. It’s an important part of working towards a truly diverse profession. Some questions asked within this section have been recently updated, but reviewing your data is straight forward and should take no more than five minutes.
Your firm has a responsibility to carry out enhanced due diligence on any business partner in a 'high-risk third' country. The list of countries is now published by the Government. For clients or counter parties 'established in' these countries, you must undertake enhanced due diligence in compliance with the specific requirements of regulation 33(3A).
Read more about: Carry out proper due diligence on partners in high-risk countries
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