The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is advising solicitors planning action over criminal legal aid changes that required standards must continue to be met and their clients must remain protected.

Individuals and firms are bound to comply with regulatory requirements at all times and new Protocol issued by the London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association today, Monday 27 July, does not modify these requirements.

The SRA has issued a detailed warning notice indicating where regulatory standards could be compromised.    Entitled “Criminal legal aid and clients’ best interests”, the warning notice highlights the SRA’s concerns and looks at:

• Creating a limited pro bono retainer
• Terminating a retainer, and
• The principles and Outcomes involved.