Is your firm's website compliant with the SRA Transparency Rules?
Anne Austin
Director
AML inspections and fines have been so much in the news, that it’s easy to overlook wider compliance issues such as compliance with the SRA Transparency Rules.
The SRA is currently engaged in what it calls ‘an ongoing programme of proactive web sweeps checking law firm websites’. In this they are checking for compliance with all aspects of the rules, providing a short grace period to put things right and, failing that, a fixed penalty of £750 for first offences and £1,500 for subsequent breaches.
So what is required to be displayed on your website to comply with the Transparency Rules?
1. Regulatory and complaints Information
All SRA authorised law firms must display:
- The SRA’s digital badge
- The firm’s SRA authorisation number and the words ‘authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority’
- Their complaints handling procedure including details of how and when a complaint can be made to the Legal Ombudsman and the SRA
2. Pricing and service information
The SRA published updated Guidance on this area in September 2024. Price and service requirements only apply to firms offering the following services:
For individuals
- Residential conveyancing (freehold sale or purchase, leasehold sale or purchase, mortgages and remortgages)
- Probate (uncontested cases with all assets in the UK)
- Motoring offences (summary only offences)
Employment tribunals (claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal) - Immigration (excluding asylum applications).
For businesses
- Debt recovery (up to £100,000)
- Employment tribunals (defending claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal)
- Licensing applications for business premises (new applications or varying existing licenses).
If you offer any of the above, you must display information in a prominent location on your website, which is accessible, clearly signposted and easy for visitors to find, on:
- Your pricing structure, including VAT and disbursements
- What services are included within the displayed price
- Any services not included in the price that might reasonably be expected to be included
- Details of the experience and qualifications of teams/individuals who will carry out the work
- Typical timescales and key stages of the matter.
If you’re unsure whether your website complies, please do get in touch. We’ll be happy to review your website and provide you with a written report of what (if any) actions you need to take. We can also make the changes directly on your website if you like.
You may be interested in our combined SRA Transparency Rules and Search Engine Optimisation Audit special offer. Please do contact Anne via the link below if so.