Moreover, one in ten have found their regulatory obligations compromised while trying to meet their employer’s priorities, particularly when faced with heavy workloads, the In-house solicitors thematic review found. Some senior in-house counsel acknowledged that balancing regulatory responsibilities while maintaining effective working relationships can be challenging.
However, most of the more than 1,200 in-house lawyers responding to the survey felt their independence was valued in their organisation, and most said they would feel comfortable advising their employer against unethical action. The majority were confident they could act ethically even if under pressure from their employer.
The SRA concluded some in-house teams need to have formal policies and controls in place to guard against such pressure. It committed to publishing new guidance for the in-house sector, launching dedicated online resources and running events to share best practice and get further feedback on areas where more support is needed.
Paul Philip, SRA chief executive, said: ‘The in-house sector continues to grow, with 8,000 more in-house solicitors than a decade ago.
‘They now make up around a fifth of practising solicitors. The findings of this review are generally encouraging. Yet a minority struggle.
‘We heard frequently that heavy workloads were a significant challenge. That is a problem if it means some in-house solicitors struggle to commit appropriate time to training or careful consideration of key decisions.’
Philip said the review also found one in ten in-house lawyers do not have enough time to keep their skills and knowledge up to date.
