New SRA handbook online
The final version of the new Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) handbook has now been posted online.
The handbook, which includes the updated Code of Conduct, is to underpin the introduction of outcomes-focused regulation (OFR) on 6 October. It was prepared by the SRA in consultation with solicitors, consumer groups and other stakeholders.
The handbook runs to 532 pages when printed, but is suitable for viewing online. Helpful online features include a guide to what's new, advanced search options and an updates section.
The SRA is also to produce a book-form printed version in late October.
A new practice note on the Law Society website, ‘Outcomes-focused regulation: overview', will provide further help.
From 6 October, all solicitors and law firms regulated by the SRA will be subject to the new regulatory approach. This will be expanded to include owners of companies who may not be lawyers when the SRA is in a position to regulate alternative business structures (ABS), probably at the turn of the year.
SRA chief executive Antony Townsend said: ‘The handbook outlines fully the framework we have put in place to put consumers at the heart of legal services. It makes sense therefore to make that handbook as easy to use as possible.
‘So it has been created in just that way, making it easy to navigate and simple to search. This should help the profession adopt the consumer-led principles of OFR, and ensure resources are deployed on areas where they are needed most.’
The handbook can be read on the SRA site.
Comments
New handbook
It great to finally be in the era of outcomes focused regulation. I am particularly looking forward to the full introduction of the ABS. All eyes to the Future!
532 pages
Compare that with the length of the Bar Code of Conduct. Is there really any need for a Handbook which runs to more than 500 pages? It sounds more like verbiage-focused regulation to me. And I bet the index is as woeful as the index to the previous Handbook.
It is to ensure they have
It is to ensure they have jobs-nothing else.
A good read, but lacks a love interest
Overall, I'd say the SRA's second novel is a fairly compelling read. The fact that it is dominated by a single character, known throughout as 'the solicitor' can sometimes be a challenge, but once one gets to grips with the drama the pages turn quickly. I was especially drawn in by the almost sci-fi like passages describing ABSs and MDPs - the appearance of 'entities' is also quite eerie.
What the book lacks though is a romance angle, and perhaps in the SRA's 3rd novel, they could try to bring in a more romantic angle. Perhaps a love interest with the Bar? Perhaps something about the fusion of the professions? We'll see.
The most radical aspect to this new novel is the adoption of a new style of writing, known as 'outcomes based narrative', similar to the 'stream of consciousness' style pioneered by Virginia Woolf and James Joyce. Some find it hard going, preferring a narrative cemented in a fixed reality. However, I understand young readers are keen on this style, so perhaps in future we'll see more '
'outcomes based' regulation genre novels in the same style.
Three stars, possible filler for Christmas stocking.
With Apologises to Vaughn Monroe
Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life
At last,I've found you.
Ah! At last I know the secret of it all.
For the longing, seeking, striving, waiting, yearning,
The burning hopes,
The joy and idle tears that fall.
For 'tis SRA and SRA alone,
The world is seeking.
And 'tis SRA and SRA alone,
That can repay.
'Tis the answer, 'tis the end and all of living,
For it is SRA alone that rules for aye.
Who needs the SRA when we now have SfH?
Yet another set of guidelines for solicitors to ignore and regulators to fail to enforce.
The general public no longer requires institutions such as the SRA...it now has outstanding websites such as Solicitors from Hell (and many others) to warn it about incompetent and/or corrupt solicitors.
Power to the People
Please feel free to visit my website: www.cwd-critic.com
Well, the SRA needs the
Well, the SRA needs the SRA-who else?