The Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA’s) fining powers have been increased from £2,000 to £25,000 (a rise of 1,150%), as of last week
Law Society vice president Lubna Shuja said: ‘The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has ignored the majority views of opposition expressed in response to the SRA’s consultation on the matter. We remain concerned about the lack of independence within the SRA between decision makers and prosecutors, as well as the lack of transparency around SRA decisions. We do not think that the right of appeal to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) is an adequate safeguard.’
