SRA to consult on new powers after SSB Law failure
Britain’s legal watchdog plans to demand more information from law firms following the SSB Law scandal. The Solicitors Regulation Authority will ask practices about their work areas, their reliance on specific cases, and their agreements with litigation backers.
The Legal Services Board reported last week that the regulator failed to protect SSB Law clients who faced unexpected legal bills after signing up for free cavity wall insulation claims. Investigators found the authority had ignored more than 100 complaints about the firm.
Chief executive Paul Philip said on Tuesday the regulator needs better data to spot problems early. The authority will focus on high-risk areas such as property transfers, immigration, and consumer disputes through increased inspections.
A lawyer who alerted officials about SSB Law disputes the need for more data. She said the regulator received plenty of warnings but lacked decisive action from leadership.
