SRA delivers


It is fashionable to criticise the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for its shortcomings. Therefore, I feel bound to broadcast an area where the SRA has gone well beyond the call of duty.



Since early October, our firm has been making plans to convert the partnership to LLP status. All of the paperwork was finally signed off on 9 January, with a view to commencing the LLP on 14 January.



We then discovered that, rather than simply notifying the SRA of the business transfer, a procedure had to be undertaken that actually takes 30 days. I was keen to accelerate the process, if at all possible. I telephoned the SRA to explain the problem and was put through to Carl Johnston in the records department. He said that, provided we could pay the application fee immediately and email to him the duly completed application form, he would expedite the matter.



In the event, our application went off to him by email at 11.25am on 10 January and Abrahams Dresden LLP was awarded recognition by the SRA at 12.08pm on that day - 43 minutes later. Well done the SRA!



Russell Abrahams, Abrahams Dresden, London