SRA Update
Issue 151 - June 2026
Welcome to the latest issue of SRA Update. In this issue we have our updated guidance on supervision, drafted following the Court of Appeal decision on Mazur vs Others. This includes a number of case studies to help you exercise your professional judgement when it comes to assessing your supervision arrangements. Also this issue, we are still looking for your views on our Business Plan and continuing competence regime, while we will be applying for new rules to protect client money. And finally, catch up on the work of our own money laundering reporting officer in a free webinar taking place in July.
We have updated our guidance on effective supervision after the Court of Appeal decision on Mazur vs Others. We have expanded our supervision guidance following the judgment. You are advised to read the guidance in to help make sure your arrangements are lawful, while case studies are included to support you.
Read more about: Supervision guidance now updated following Mazur decision
We are implementing reforms to strengthen protections around client money and make sure of ongoing compliance within firms. These include requiring all law firms holding client money to submit annual accountants' reports and the separation of roles within firms to make sure supervision is spread widely. This follows consultation earlier in the year.
Read more about: Safeguards strengthened to protect client money and reduce consumer harm
We are consulting on a programme of transformation to modernise how the SRA works. The consultation includes key questions about our proposed work commitments, funding requirements, fees and compensation fund contributions. We will want to hear the views of as many of you as possible.
We have been designated as a prescribed person under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA). The act protects anyone who works for or with an SRA-regulated individual or firm, where they 'reasonably believe' they are acting in the public interest when making a report to the regulator.
Read more about: Whistleblowers to benefit from extra protection
We will play a key role in the government-funded Advisory AI Growth Lab. The initiative is designed to accelerate the development and deployment of AI products and services by helping innovators navigate existing regulatory frameworks with greater confidence. We will be working with a range of other regulators to allow innovators to develop and adopt AI products within existing regulatory frameworks.
Read more about: SRA joins new AI Growth Lab to accelerate legal innovation
After eight years as Chair of the SRA Board, Anna Bradley reflects on a period of profound change in the legal sector, and why our next chapter is its most important as she prepares to hand over stewardship.
Our latest innovation event took place in Bristol last week, where around 200 attendees heard from industry experts, got practical tips and learnt more about how innovation and technology, and especially AI, are reshaping the legal sector. Missed out? Catch up on our YouTube channel.
In this free webinar on 14 July, hear from the SRA's Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO), Sara Gwilliam. Sara will share how she became an MLRO, the challenges and expectations of the role, and how to make sure MLRO's have a voice in your organisation.
As we consider future approaches to how we support the legal sector in delivering and upholding ethical standards, we are keen to hear from you about your experience of applying ethics in practice. Throughout June, we will be holding a series of focus groups for solicitors from a variety of backgrounds.
Before you next log into to mySRA, make sure your authenticator app is set up correctly and working on your mobile device. This will help you avoid delays when accessing your account. If you don't have an app yet, we have a step-by-step guide to downloading one.
There’s still time to have your say about proposed new rules which will require all solicitors to keep a record of how you are reviewing and addressing your learning and development needs, and see the introduction of mandatory ethical discussion sessions for all, to be undertaken on an annual basis. The consultation closes on July 15.
Read more about: Still time to have your say on continuing competence changes
You can get more details on our proposed reforms to continuing competence requirements, and find out how you can have your say on them, by watching a recording of a Q&A webinar we recently ran on the subject.
Keeping your knowledge and skills up to date is a key part of maintaining your competence. Although the annual declaration may feel some way off, it is important to reflect regularly on your practice. You must identify any learning and development needs and keep a clear record of how you are addressing them. Our guidance and templates are there to help you throughout the year.
Read more about: Continuing competence: practical support to help you stay on track
Welcome to the latest issue of Compliance News. In this issue we have our updated guidance on supervision, drafted following the Court of Appeal decision on Mazur vs Others. This includes a number of case studies to help you exercise your professional judgement when it comes to assessing your supervision arrangements. Also in this issue, there's further information on HMRC's expectations around registering as a tax adviser, while the sanctions regime has been expanded, find out how. And finally, catch up on the work of our own money laundering reporting officer in a free webinar taking place in July.
We have updated our guidance on effective supervision after the Court of Appeal decision on Mazur vs Others. We have expanded our supervision guidance following the judgment. You are advised to read the guidance in to help make sure your arrangements are lawful, while case studies are included to support you.
Read more about: Supervision guidance now updated following Mazur decision
This year's anti-money laundering (AML) and sanction data collection will open at the end of June. This will cover activity under the AML regulations, sanctions and suspicious activity reporting. All firms that are open and practising will receive a questionnaire, although only those working in scope of the AML regulations will need to complete the relevant section. A sample form is available to help you prepare in advance.
The draft statutory instrument amending the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (MLR 2017) was debated in the House of Commons on 3 June and passed. Find out what this means for solicitors and compliance teams, when they come into force.
In this free webinar on 14 July, hear from the SRA's Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO), Sara Gwilliam. Sara will share how she became an MLRO, the challenges and expectations of the role, and how to make sure MLRO's have a voice in your organisation.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published a report on sanctions systems and controls in the firms they regulate. Although this is focussed on the financial sector, it contains useful and relevant information for law firms.
Read more about: FCA report on sanctions systems and controls
HMRC has introduced a requirement that anyone who interacts with them on behalf of a client, which includes submission of Stamp Duty Land Tax calculations, must register as a tax adviser. The change will be subject to a three-month transition period which will end in August.
The government has again expanded the sanctions regime against Russia as the war in Ukraine continues. New sanctions in May 2026 target networks involved in sanctions evasion, including through banking and cryptocurrency.
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