City Lawyers Say SRA Can't Pass On Its Failings In Fee Hike

Law360 writes that the CLLS pushed back against plans by the solicitors' watchdog to raise fees by almost 30%. Colin Passmore and Patrick McCann recognise that the SRA faces real and growing pressures, and are supportive of Sarah Rapson's efforts to refocus the regulator and put its operations on a stronger footing since taking over as CEO.

However, they argue that "an increase in fees of this scale - 29% in a single year, with further rises signalled beyond 2026/27 - sets a high bar". They note that the profession is being asked to fund the cost of fixing problems it did not create.

They add, "while we shall be making formal representations on the level of the funding increase, if it does go through then our members will rightly expect the SRA to transparently demonstrate that the additional resources are being deployed sensibly and delivering genuine value. We look forward to engaging constructively with the budget consultation, and to transparency on the returns this increased investment creates for the legal sector and those it serves."