The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has imposed specific conditions on Jeremy Brooke, the co-founder of SSB Group, as their investigation unfolds. This move comes while the regulator assesses the issues surrounding SSB Group’s practices.
The interim measures prevent Mr. Brooke from assuming roles such as compliance officer, owner, or manager of any law firms regulated by the SRA. Moreover, he is restricted from engaging in or supervising legal activities connected to litigation or claims involving conditional fee agreements or damages-based agreements. These constraints will remain until a conclusive decision is made by either the SRA or the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
The SRA has justified these measures as necessary for public interest and protection, acknowledging the delay in concluding their investigation until early 2025, having initially aimed to complete it by autumn. Mr. Brooke, who played a pivotal role in expanding SSB Group into new areas throughout the 2010s, is not believed to currently be practising.
The investigation also encompasses Pure Legal, another firm embroiled in controversy, highlighting broader concerns regarding the effectiveness of the bulk litigation market and the adequacy of consumer protections. The SRA is actively assessing these matters, which span multiple sectors and regulatory frameworks, including claims management, finance, and insurance.
In related developments, the Legal Services Board is reviewing the collapse of SSB Group, while the Civil Justice Council examines the fallout from SSB Law’s bankruptcy, where it owed substantial amounts to funders. Andrew Gregory from SSB Group is set to discuss the indicators of volume claim market challenges at the upcoming Claims Futures event.
The SRA’s ongoing investigation into SSB Group underscores significant issues within the legal sector, particularly in the bulk litigation market. These efforts aim to improve consumer protection and ensure the integrity of legal practices.
