Date for New transparency Rules
The Solicitors Regulation Authority have announced that the new transparency rules, requiring regulated firms to publish price and service information on their websites, will come into effect on 6 December 2018. This is also to be the date by which firms must make information on their complaints procedures available online, and from which they will be able to download and begin using the (as yet unspecified) SRA digital badge.
The SRA have gone on to announced that using the digital badge to provide website visitors with personalised information confirming that a firm is regulated and outlining the protections this brings, is expected to become a mandatory requirement during Spring 2019.
Under the rules, all regulated law firms will be required, from 6 December, to proactively publish information on prices they charge and what these include, across a number of common services:
- For members of the public: conveyancing, probate, motoring offences, employment tribunals (claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal) and immigration (excluding asylum).
- For businesses: debt recovery (up to £100k), employment tribunals (defending claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal) and licensing applications for business premises.
The SRA has produced guidance designed to help firms in understanding and preparing for the new requirements which now includes templates for publishing complaints procedures.
To view more information on our transparency rules, including the recently published guidance go to: www.sra.org.uk/transparency