News archive

We are consulting on our 2025/26 Business Plan, which outlines an increased programme of work to respond to a rapidly changing legal sector. The business plan covers the final year (November 2025 – October 2026) of our current Corporate Strategy, a period during which the operating environment has continued to evolve at pace.

We have authorised the first law firm providing legal services through artificial intelligence (AI). While many firms are already using AI to support and deliver a range of back-office and public-facing services, Garfield.Law Ltd is the first purely AI-based firm we have authorised to provide regulated legal services in England and Wales. 

More than 900 delegates joined this year's SQE Virtual Conference live online. Many more are expected to catch up with the three sessions on YouTube over the coming weeks.

Concerns remain about solicitors getting involved in abusive litigation aimed at silencing legitimate criticism – known as SLAPPs (strategic litigation against public participation).  

The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) Independent Reviewer has confirmed the assessment is robust and the outcomes are fair.

Organisations supporting aspiring solicitors from disadvantaged backgrounds are invited to apply for funding to cover candidates' costs of sitting the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).

After nearly 12 years as Chief Executive, Paul Philip will be retiring from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) towards the end of 2025, once a suitable replacement has been found.

We have published an independent study into consumer vulnerability in the legal market, as part of our ongoing commitment to improving access to legal services.

Our Board has welcomed two new lay members, Simon Millhouse and Claudio Pollack. Simon and Claudio joined the Board this January following the departure of Selina Ullah and Paul Loft, who completed six and seven years respectively at the end of 2024.