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We solicitors sometimes get the impression that the SRA is a distant unsympathetic bureaucracy which operates in an ivory tower and has no understanding of the reality of the legal services market or working in it.
Such suspicions can’t be helped by the SRA’s approach in appealing case in which solicitors found to have acted dishonestly by the SDT were not struck off. There is a sad series of these in which mainly junior lawyers were working under pressure with which they could not cope.
The SRA’s position presented to the Court of Appeal appears to be that mental ill health resulting from working conditions is no excuse, even when they are. described by a judge as ‘frankly abominable’ and in a ‘poisonous atmosphere’ The SRA appears to be saying that being told you have recorded too few billable hours and would need to work up to 18 hours a day for 19 consecutive days to catch up and should work through evenings, weekends and bank holidays is not “exceptional” and is OK with them as a regulator.
Stress at work is a fact of life according to the SRA. It shouldn’t be. What action is the SRA taking to prevent these situations arising, and thereby reduce the risk of ill health, mistakes, poor service, followed by foolish or dishonest actions to cover these? Would that not protect the reputation of the profession, rather than pursuing those who have suffered?