The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has taken decisive action against 475 law firms for failing to adhere to its transparency rules.
Since the introduction of these rules in December 2018, the SRA has issued 439 official warnings and imposed 36 fixed penalty fines. These measures highlight the regulator’s commitment to ensuring that the public can access adequate information when choosing legal services.
This development comes in the wake of the Legal Services Board’s policy, released in April 2022, aimed at empowering consumers. Regulators had until the end of September 2024 to assure compliance with these new expectations.
Among the resources provided, the SRA has introduced pricing templates that align with the organisation’s requirements. According to the SRA, accessible information about legal services, including costs and client experiences, is a significant factor in encouraging public engagement with professional support for legal needs.
Despite five years of mandated price and service information for specific services, the adoption of quality indicators remains slow. The SRA, in collaboration with the Council for Licensed Conveyancers and CILEx Regulation, conducted a pilot on quality indicators and comparison websites. Consequently, a voluntary code for comparison websites has been established, with ReviewSolicitors, reallymoving, The Law Superstore, and Trustpilot as signatories. These platforms have committed to transparency in allowing legal service providers to challenge client reviews and have outlined clear complaints procedures.
Moreover, the SRA has updated its guidance on managing client reviews and review websites. Instead of pursuing legal action against potentially libellous remarks, firms are advised to consider alternative strategies to manage their reputation, such as encouraging satisfied clients to leave positive feedback or directly addressing concerns with the review platform.
SRA Chief Executive Paul Philip emphasised the importance of transparency as a fundamental element of trust within the legal sector. Providing clear and accessible pricing empowers consumers to make informed choices, aligning with regulatory compliance.
The SRA’s recent actions underscore the importance of transparency and accountability within the legal profession, fostering a more informed public interaction with legal services.
