The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has announced the setting up of a specialist team dedicated to helping small firms needing advice and guidance on compliance issues.

Launched at the Sole Practitioners Group Annual Conference in the West Midlands on 9 and 10 May, the team hopes to strengthen the SRA’s relationship with smaller firms and offer greater support.

Paul Philip, SRA Chief Executive, said:

“The team understands the needs of small firms and will be able to offer advice that is appropriate for a firm’s size and circumstance. It will offer a first point of contact for small firms, making business easier for small firms, while protecting the public.”

In addition to this, the SRA has over the past year undertaken a number of initiatives designed to assist the smaller firm including:

• creating a small firms option for those calling the SRA’s Ethics Guidance helpline,
• launching a dedicated small firms page on its website,
• publishing compliance guidance to help sole practitioners and two-to-four partner firms,
• holding a webinar setting out the dedicated small firms support available.

The SRA’s latest regulatory reform consultation includes proposals to make it easier for small firms to appoint compliance officers.

More information can be found on the SRA’s small firms web site page at www.sra.org.uk/smallfirms/