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The Solicitors Regulation Authority’s Aisling O’Connell on fostering technology & innovation in small firms

There’s no question that technology is transforming all our lives. People are increasingly using technology to choose and access professional services. The legal sector is of course experiencing its own ground-breaking innovations, which are enabling new ways for solicitors and law firms to deliver services, engage with clients and increase efficiency.

Firms need to keep pace with consumers’ rapidly changing expectations. Yet sole practitioners and small firms can face obstacles in embedding technology in their firms, with the risk that some are left behind.

At the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), we recognise smaller firms’ value to the public, as they continue to be the gateway to legal services for many. They can provide an affordable, trustworthy, close-to-home option, providing access to expert advice.

The SRA is committed to encouraging innovation that can improve both legal services and access to them. That includes supporting small firms to adopt technology responsibly and safely. That’s why we recently commissioned research

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Quillon Law—Neil Dooley

Quillon Law—Neil Dooley

Disputes firm expands fraud and investigations practice with partner hire

Charles Russell Speechlys—Vadim Romanoff

Charles Russell Speechlys—Vadim Romanoff

Firm strengthens corporate tax and incentives team with partner hire

Burges Salmon—Gary Delderfield & Alec Bennett

Burges Salmon—Gary Delderfield & Alec Bennett

Partner and senior associate join pensions team

NEWS
Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys [2025] EWHC 2341 (KB) has restated a fundamental truth, writes John Gould, chair of Russell-Cooke, in this week's NLJ: only authorised persons can conduct litigation. The decision sparked alarm, but Gould stresses it merely confirms the Legal Services Act 2007
The government’s decision to make the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) the Single Professional Services Supervisor marks a watershed in the UK’s fight against money laundering, says Rebecca Hughes of Corker Binning in this week's NLJ. The FCA will now oversee 60,000 firms across legal and accountancy sectors—a massive expansion of remit that raises questions over resources and readiness 
The High Court's decision in Parfitt v Jones [2025] EWHC 1552 (Ch) provided a striking reminder of the need to instruct the right expert in retrospective capacity assessments, says Ann Stanyer of Wedlake Bell in NLJ this week
Paige Coulter of Quinn Emanuel reports on the UK’s first statutory definition of SLAPPs under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023in NLJ this week
In this week's NLJ, Sophie Houghton of LexisPSL distils the key lesson from recent costs cases: if you want to exceed guideline hourly rates (GHR), you must prove why
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