SRA: Patronising or Just Being Helpful?

(Posted on 10/01/12)

It's been a bit of a slow waltz with all of the changes in the UK legal sector. With the Solicitors Regulation Authority, the new alternative business structure (ABS) dynamics and just the sense of winds of change, there's no denying an uncomfortable shift is occurring. But what happens when it appears there are those who are being a bit...well...patronising? That's exactly what some folks are accusing the SRA of.

Referring to it as a "new caring, sharing SRA", some editors and other media personnel are wondering if perhaps there's a bit too much waltz leading by the agency and not enough by solicitors in the UK. The release of a presser in late 2011 certainly didn't help SRA's image.

The presser encourages solicitors to "ensure they pay close attention to clients' needs from the outset" This is necessary, say the authors to "make sure they deliver a proper standard of service". This has more than a few folks scratching their head and wondering who told the SRA it now has full rein over a firm's public relations efforts.

The presser reiterates the importance with an example that not all clients speak fluent English and therefore might not able to fully comprehend the jargon found in many client care letters. It's interesting to note the SRA says it happens quite often and that many solicitors don't even consider the possibility the written word might pose a few difficulties for some clients.

Most solicitors, however, vehemently disagree and say their focus is always on the details - including how well a client can communicate.

From the looks of the efforts made by the SRA, most would agree it's simply an effort of building good rapport with solicitors everywhere. The goal is to ensure quality legal services while also keeping those less than ethical efforts at bay.

Of course, with all the simultaneous changes going on within the collective UK legal sector, there's bound to be a few growing pains. Most everyone agrees that the process is moving right along. The goal is to keep the egos in check as the various transitions are made.