Deadline looms for online PC renewal

Well, I called the SRA on no fewer than ten occasions today, to ask a question about renewal. The relevant line was either engaged or produced a recorded message which told me that the average waiting time was 20 minutes and that I should call back later - which I did, time after time, without ever getting to speak to a human being. If I don't renew by 13 February 2012, it's the SRA's fault for not being available to answer my question.

I have completed the application on line and then went to the payment section. It was just a blank page. I checked with my husband , a computer scientist and he confirmed I have not done anything wrong. I sent an email on 2nd Feb but have received no reply. I have checked my application 3 or 4 times but it always ends with the same blank page. I have tried to phone this morning but the line is engaged, not even a recorded message. This issue needs to be publicised and the chaos resolved. It is very frustrating.

I tried to ring the SRA again today. Still no human being to speak to me after numerous attempts, but the recorded message now suggested that I email the SRA. So I did that. I got an automated reply:

"We are currently receiving very high volumes of calls and correspondence.

Please note our current service levels for responding are as follows:

* Emails, letters and faxes - up to 13 working days
* Requests involving research to trace solicitors, firms or files - up to 20 days
* Record changes - up to 30 days.
* Certificates of Good Standing - up to 72 hours"

So, I now have to wait up to 13 working days for a reply to the email which, because of the SRA's repeated failure to answer telephone calls, I had to send. By that time, of course, the renewal date will have come and gone. The reality is that the SRA is going to have extend the dates which it has laid down, because practitioners cannot sensibly expected to comply with deadlines when the SRA is unable to answer telephone calls or provide timeous answers to email enquiries.

Heads should roll for this complete and utter failure of the regulatory body.

If the SRA cannot even process the renewal of practising certificates for existing firms and solicitors how on earth can it be expected to carry out the authorisation of ABSs? How can the public or the profession be sure that ABS authorisation will result in the proper protection required of these unknown entities and unknown risks?

What we can be sure of is that there won't be any delay for the authorisation of ABSs within 6 weeks of initial application.

SRA website now stating -

"Renewals deadline extended

9 February 2012 – The renewals process will not close before the end of February to give the profession more time to renew their practising certificates. This applies to all those renewing. It is important, however, that you complete your renewal as soon as you can. The Contact Centre is experiencing a large volume of calls at present. We will answer queries as swiftly as we can, but if you have a query about completion, please check the information posted on mySRA before calling. Answers to the most frequently asked questions are available here."

Same day as Gazette quotes them as saying deadline won't be extended...lol!