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 registrations. Registration is free. HMRC are creating a video. If you don’t register, you may no longer be able to communicate with HMRC.
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 (March) we have done this for over 180 people from all over the world.
Ingemar was talking to an aspiring solicitor from Dubai (working inhouse) whom he was helping through this process. He had actually previously confirmed the QWE of her supervisor who was also in the process of qualifying as a solicitor of England & Wales through the SQE route. She said that the SRA had been in touch with him to ask to see redacted copies of the QWE that he had shown me during the review.
Fortunately we are rigorous in reviewing the work and matching it to the SRA competencies. So, this was no problem. We review the work through a video conference call (usually zoom) with the aspiring solicitor sharing their screen.
We think it is good that the SRA are carrying out these spot checks. They need to make sure that the confirmation of QWE is being carried out properly and fairly.
We would advise aspiring solicitors to keep a copy of the evidence reviewed - at least until they have been admitted by the SRA as a solicitor.
External QWE Confirmation Service
If you know of someone who needs an SRA regulated solicitor to confirm their QWE but have no-one in their organisation to do so - we can help. This service would apply to someone who is NOT qualified as a lawyer. Please see the link below and feel free to signpost them to us:
QWE - External Confirming Solicitor Service - for Aspiring Solicitors
YouTube Videos on SQE, SQE2 Exemptions & QWE
https://www.youtube.com/@hunningsconsultancy999/videos
SQE2 Exemption Applications - Qualified Lawyers
https://hunningsconsultancy.co.uk/sqe2-exemption-for-foreign-lawyers-review-advice/
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 a link to their guidance when using digital identities with the Money Laundering Regulations: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/using-digital-identities-with-the-money-laundering-regulations/using-digital-identities-with-the-money-laundering-regulations
Here is a link to their guidance on how digital identity can support compliance with the UK’s Money Laundering Regulations: https://enablingdigitalidentity.blog.gov.uk/2026/02/26/how-digital-identity-can-support-compliance-with-the-uks-money-laundering-regulations/
Further AML & Financial Crime Assistance
We have a team of experts in this area who regularly provide guidance & assistance in AML & Sanctions compliance. They will review and draft documents, policies and procedures, help if you believe you may need to make a SAR (Suspicious Activity Report), review your Policies & Procedures, help if the SRA or FCA ask to do an Audit or inspection etc. We also carry our Independeent AML Audits. Contact us for more information by filling in the form below or email Ingemar Hunnings, our lead consultant at: [email protected]. Also see other specific service on this website.
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 because of the way you've handled their personal information (or the personal information of someone they're acting on behalf of), they can complain to you. These measures come into force on 19th June 2026.
Get ready!
How to prepare to handle data protection complaints: https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/how-to-deal-with-data-protection-complaints/how-do-we-prepare-to-handle-data-protection-complaints/
What to do when you receive a complaint: https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/how-to-deal-with-data-protection-complaints/what-do-we-do-when-we-receive-a-complaint/
What to do after you have finished your investigation: https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/how-to-deal-with-data-protection-complaints/what-do-we-do-after-we-ve-finished-our-investigation/
How the ICO deals with complaints: https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/how-to-deal-with-data-protection-complaints/how-does-the-ico-deal-with-complaints/
Data Protecetion Help
Let us know if you need help. Fill in the form below.
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 take into account changes brought in by the Data Use & Access Act (DUAA). How organisations handle subject access requests is the ICO's most complained about issue.
Help Dealing with a Subject Access Request (SAR)
We can help you navigate what you should do and how you might liaise with the ICO. Fill in the form below and we will be intouch!
Big change. The OFSI Consolidated List of Asset Freeze Targets is closing on 28th January 2026 and will no longer be updated. The only updated list for you to check will be the UK Sanctions List: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uk-sanctions-list. Here's a link to the article about this: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-to-a-single-list-for-uk-sanctions-designations-28-january-2026 Make sure you update your paperwork and educate staff – so they don’t search against the old redundant list.
For Help with Sanctions Compliance
Sanctions Policy Documents & FWRA Review
Sanctions Regime - Independent Compliance Audit
The judgement in the Mazur case focused on who may conduct litigation – a reserved activity. Many litigation departments use paralegals to do a lot of the work. The judgment caused some concern. Here is the link to the SRA’s guidance in the light of this judgment in case you missed it: SRA | Mazur and conducting litigation | Solicitors Regulation Authority
The MOJ has just published a consultation paper on this proposal. Deadline for submitting responses is 9th February 2026.
They are clearly look at where they can raise money to improve the Justice System. There can be little disagreement that it needs to be improved. Currently interest earned on Client Account (not Separate Designated Accounts) is often taken by solicitors firms and put into the pot of income for the firm. Interest earned on Separate Designated Client Accounts is sent to clients. The MOJ is proposing that banks pay direct to HMRC a) 75% of the interest earned on the general Client Accounts and b) 50% of the interest earned on the Separate Designated Accounts. We will have to see if this goes through. We think that a) will and there is a good chance that b) will as well.
There will be regulatory and contractual issues to be surmounted. The SRA (and any other regulators concerned) will have to give guidance. How quickly this happens is anyone's guess, but we suspect the government will want to get on with this ASAP so that the effects of an improcved justice system will be apparent in good time for the next election. One plus is that the banks will pay direct to HMRC, rather than your accounts department having to work out the calculations.
Some firms will not be affected because they do not have cient account or hold little client money. For others this proposal could have a major impact upon profitability. They will need to be making contingency plans now so as not to face finacial difficulties.
Here is a link to where you may access the consultation document: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/interest-on-lawyers-client-accounts-scheme/interest-on-lawyers-client-accounts-scheme#introducing-an-interest-on-lawyers-client-account-scheme-ilca
Contact Us
For advice on matters relating to law firm finance and compliance with the SRA Accounts Rules.
Fill in the form on this page or email: [email protected]
The NCA has just issued (November 2025) updated guidance relating to SARs (Suspicious Activity Reports) and DAMLs (Defence Against Money Laundering) & DATFs (defence against terrorist financing) to help reporters seeking a defence under POCA or TACT. Here is a link to the relevant page on the website for the UK Finance Intelligence unit - the part of the NCA respomnsible for receiving, analysing and disseminating intelligence submitted through the Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) regime: https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/what-we-do/crime-threats/money-laundering-and-illicit-finance/ukfiu
Please see the guidance here:
Help from Us with AML Compliance?
