Avoid unintended loss of firm authorisation

8 December 2025

Authorisation enables law firms to legally provide reserved legal activities in England and Wales. Losing it can disrupt operations and damage your reputation.

Watch our video to learn how to avoid losing authorisation

Learn from Laura Barker (Head of Authorisation) and Shannon Heaney (Technical Adviser) as they explain:

• what triggers automatic loss of authorisation
• how the Legal Services Act applies
• common mistakes firms make and how to avoid them.

Key takeaways

• Understand definitions of managers and interest holders.
• Identify scenarios that make your firm licensable.
• Avoid the 90-day countdown to automatic loss of authorisation.

Common scenarios covered

• Appointing non-authorised partners.
• Share transfers to non-authorised entities.
• Changes in licensed body structures.