The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has published findings from its corporate strategy benchmarking research, which examines key audiences’ perception of its performance, despite continued warnings from the Law Society of England and Wales to focus on its core role.
The report has found that the existence of legal regulators enforces confidence and trust. However, low awareness of the SRA and consumer assumptions that all providers are regulated means the SRA’s unique impact on confidence and trust levels is more difficult to unpick than for others. Speaking on behalf of the Law Society as the representative body for solicitors, president Richard Atkinson said:
“The SRA should have waited for the Legal Services Board to publish the outcome of its review of the regulator’s handling of the Axiom Ince and SSB Group cases before publishing this report.
We have repeatedly said the SRA should concentrate on its core role by setting standards, assessing and acting on risk, taking action in response to non-compliance, protecting consumers from harm and protecting the reputation of solicitors.
It should not be seeking to implement its existing fining powers at the expense of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. Should the proposals go ahead, they would have serious repercussions for the legal profession and access to justice.”
Richard Atkinson said that the report provides some use to the profession, such as findings which show that although legal professionals were more likely to express negative sentiment about the SRA compared to other groups, the majority (56%) maintained a positive opinion. A quarter of lawyers (26%) viewed the regulator unfavourably, while the remaining 18% were either neutral or unsure. He added:
“However, there are many other issues it could be tackling. The SRA’s report shows that consumers value high quality training and qualifications for legal professionals, as they continue to drive high standards and ensure long-term confidence and trust.
Ensuring the Solicitors Qualifying Exam can deliver on this should be a key point of focus for the SRA. Our members have told us they would like more guidance from the SRA on professional ethics.
The Law Society is supporting our members via our professional ethics programme, which is designed to help them balance their obligations to their clients and wider society. We would welcome greater collaboration with the SRA on professional ethics and how the legal profession can be supported as they navigate their duty to the court and their duty to their client.”
