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The SRA needs to tell us why Deloitte and PwC are allowed to act in a conflict situation when other law firms are not.

The SRA's ABS authorisation guide, first published in 2011 promised us a "level playing field".

Self-evidently, this is not a level playing field. What are the criteria for allowing one category of large firm an exemption from the provisions which apply to all other SRA-regulated firms. Can a recognised body apply for a waiver in similar terms? If not, why not?

Under section 28 of the Legal Services Act 2007 the SRA is required to be 'transparent, accountable, proportionate, consistent'.

So far they have declined to explain how those criteria are fulfilled. We should be told. The impression at present is of a free for all on regulatory compliance for ABSs but not for anyone else. I hope I have misunderstood the position.