We are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority – what this means for you.
What is the SRA?
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is the statutory regulator of solicitors and most law firms in England and Wales. Its role is to protect the public by setting professional standards, supervising law firms, and taking enforcement action where those standards are not met.
Choosing SRA-regulated solicitors like ourselves means you benefit from safeguards that are not available from many unregulated legal service providers.
What protection does SRA regulation offer you as a client?
When you instruct an SRA-regulated firm like ours, you receive the benefit of a number of important consumer protections:
1. Enforceable professional standards
Solicitors must follow strict professional rules requiring them to act:
- in your best interests
- with honesty and integrity
- independently and free from conflicts of interest
- to a high standard of competence and service
The SRA has strong enforcement powers and can fine, suspend, or strike off solicitors who breach these obligations.
2. Protection for your money
Solicitors must comply with strict rules governing how client money is handled. These safeguards are designed to ensure your funds remain secure while your case is ongoing.
3. Mandatory professional indemnity insurance
All SRA-regulated solicitors must carry professional indemnity insurance that meets the minimum cover requirements set by the regulator. This provides an important layer of consumer protection if something goes wrong.
4. Access to the SRA Compensation Fund
The SRA operates a Compensation Fund that may compensate clients who lose money because of a solicitor’s dishonesty or failure to properly account for funds, and in certain other limited situations.
5. Independent complaints protection through the Legal Ombudsman
If you are unhappy with the service you receive, you may be able to take your complaint to the Legal Ombudsman, an independent body that can investigate issues such as:
- poor service
- delays
- communication problems
- costs concerns
This protection is generally only available when using regulated legal providers.
6. Regulatory intervention where clients are at risk
If the SRA has serious concerns about a firm’s conduct, it has the power to intervene and take control of files and client money to protect clients’ interests.
Why SRA regulation matters compared with unregulated legal providers
SRA regulation provides a meaningful safety net for consumers that is not available from many unregulated legal services providers, such as certain claims services dealing with clinical negligence cases.
While Claims Management Companies are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), this is not the same as regulation under the SRA framework for legal services.
Why it is especially important to use an SRA-regulated solicitor in a clinical negligence claim
Clinical negligence claims, including birth injury cases, often involve complex legal and personal issues. Using a regulated solicitor provides additional reassurance where:
- significant sums of money may be involved
- cases often involve minors
- litigation or court proceedings may become necessary
SRA regulation ensures enforceable standards of professional conduct, secure handling of client money, access to insurance protection, and independent complaint procedures.
Solicitors are also authorised to carry out reserved legal activities, including litigation that unregulated providers cannot undertake.
Contact us for a free consultation
We offer a free consultation service and can work on a fully funded No Win No Fee basis.