Law firms will have to publish pricing information and display a badge highlighting protections for clients from December 2018, under regulatory proposals.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) confirmed its ‘Better Information’ plans this week. It will now seek formal approval from the Legal Services Board.
The SRA has rowed back on previous plans to publish details of client complaints to law firms, following feedback that complaints could be misconstrued without the relevant context.
Instead, firms will need to prominently display information on prices, and what these cover, for the following services: conveyancing, probate, motoring offences, employment tribunals (claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal), immigration (excluding asylum), debt recovery (up to £100,000), employment tribunals (defending claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal) and licensing applications for business premises.
The SRA is currently developing a searchable register of solicitors and law firms for members of the public. This will include details of areas of practice and relevant regulatory matters.
Firms will also be asked to display an SRA digital badge on their website, showing the client protections available from regulated law firms.
Paul Philip, SRA Chief Executive, said: ‘People with legal problems often struggle to find clear, understandable information to help them choose the right service.
‘All the evidence shows that they do not necessarily want the cheapest provider, but they do find having information on price helps with their choices. Better information will not only help the public and small businesses, but also provide opportunities for firms to promote their individual offer and the extra customer protections you get using a regulated law firm.
‘It is a win-win for everyone.’
Research commissioned by the SRA and Legal Ombudsman, published this week, found consumers want clearer information about the cost of legal services.
Wanda Goldwag, Chair of the Office for Legal Complaints, which oversees LeO’s work, said: ‘Price transparency is extremely important, and one of the five most complained-about areas we deal with. While it is good to know that what we publish is useful to people, we support the research view that access to a wider range of information would be beneficial.’
