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I have been in practice in a High St firm for over 40 years, and never have stress levels been so great. Most practitioners live in constant fear of the SRA. There are now so many bureaucratic rules and regulations, particularly surrounding conveyancing transactions, that more time is spent on money laundering and id checks, both on clients and other firms, than on the task itself. The CQS system is a joke, as more and more solicitors or conveyancers ignore the rule about raising standard enquiries; insurance companies are making a mint from indemnity policies insisted upon by tick box conveyancers, at least 99% of such policies will never result in a claim. There is now no room for the old school philosophy of "taking a view". There is no pleasure to be derived from the profession these days and I am thankful that I am retiring shortly. There is constant pressure, not just from clients, but from estate agents who give clients unrealistic expectations and pester us on a daily basis.
Don't get me started on clients either! Spurious complaints abound, taking up valuable fee earning time, and last year, I was falsely accused of dishonesty outside the office by someone who had a personal grudge against me, as a result of which I had to defend the accusation before the SRA. Although I was successful and did not have to pay any costs, the stress caused by this and the fear that I could be struck off was undoubtedly a factor which contributed to me suffering a heart attack in December last year. Roll on the end of March.!