There appears to be a little more flexibility in the SRA's approach. Hitherto we had understood that the supervisor had to be someone who directly supervised the applicant's work. Indeed we had been told that if the applicant had no such person the application for exemption would not be granted and they would have to […]
We have received the following email from Companies house regarding changes that will come in to effect from April 2028. In summary ALL companies, including Small & Micro Companies, will then be required to file Profit & Loss accounts and to file using commercial software. However, small and micro-entities will be able to opt out […]
The SRA has published the result of its review into these 2 topics and has published its proposed changes to the rules. They intend for them to come into force in early 2027 with a phased introduction. That is soon, given the changes firms will have to make - so firms show consider this now […]
In UK vs Secretary of State for the Home Department ([2026] UKUT 00081 (IAC)), the UK Upper Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber has held that whenever a legal practitioner uploads confidential client documents into open-source, non-specialist AI such as ChatGPT, the legal practitioner waives the privilege enjoyed by the client and breaches the confidentiality obligations […]
The Law Society has issued guidance with a Q&A of 20 questions. Here’s the link: https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/topics/property/q-and-a/hmrc-mandatory-tax-adviser-registration Create with them an agent services account by 18th May, or if you have one, on 18th May make sure that your account meets the new registration conditions. Firms will have 3 months from 18th May to complete their […]
The Home Office has updated its guidance to version 3.0 – which supersedes all earlier versions. This is of relevance to anyone who does immigration work. Here is the link to the guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-with-immigration-advisers-caseworker-guidance/working-with-immigration-advisers-caseworker-guidance-accessible
Do the SRA do spot checks on QWE? Well it appears they do. As you may know, we act as External Solicitors to confirm QWE (Qualifying Work Experience) for aspiring solicitors who don't have someone to do this for them in their firm (see below for the service). At the time of publishing this post […]
The UK government has now issued guidance on the use of digital ID verification. It is important that anyone doing digital ID verification reads this. We are sure that, for solicitors, the SRA and in the future the FCA for solicitors, accountants and others, will refer to this when carrying out AML audits. Here is […]
The Data Use & Access Act (DUAA) has brought in a right for people to people to complain to the controller; controllers can stop the clock to clarify the request where this is reasonably required; and there is a requirement to make reasonable and proportionate searches. If someone considers that you've infringed data protection legislation […]
The ICO issued in December 2025 revised guidance on Rights of Access. This is commonly referred to a 'Subject Access. It gives people the right to obtain a copy of their personal information from you, as well as other supplementary information. Here is a link to the updated guidance: https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/individual-rights/right-of-access/ It has been updated to […]
