Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)

Overview

The SRA is the regulator for solicitors and law firms in England and Wales. It sets the SRA Standards and Regulations, the Code of Conduct for Solicitors, RELs and RFLs, and the Accounts Rules. It takes enforcement action against individuals and firms for misconduct: formal rebukes, financial penalties, conditions on practising certificates, and (via the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal) suspension or strike-off.

What it handles

• Reports about solicitor misconduct (dishonesty, conflicts of interest, breach of accounts rules)
• Investigations into firms holding client money
• Money laundering and sanctions breaches
• Anti-money laundering supervision under the MLR 2017

What it does not handle

• Service complaints (poor handling, delays) — Legal Ombudsman
• Negligence claims against solicitors — civil courts

Appeals

Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (independent of the SRA).

Official sources