Small firms are to receive more support from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
New SRA chief executive Paul Philip announced plans to boost support for smaller firms when the regulator sets out its reform programme in May, in a speech at the SRA national conference for compliance officers in Birmingham this week. It will begin with a discussion paper to investigate issues affecting smaller firms.
SRA suggestions so far include a small firm page on the SRA website, a dedicated helpline and resources to help firms with specific issues such as opening a small practice. It has also pledged to look at how to make authorisation changes and compliance officer approval easier for small firms.
Philip said: “Small firms play a really important part in the provision of good legal services and we want to do everything we can to provide support.
“We are committed to making sure that our regulation works for all types of firm and to do that we need to be much more approachable and accessible. I am asking small firms to tell us what would work for you, to join our virtual reference group and to use the additional services we are offering.”
