SRA places restrictions on solicitor’s practice and employment arrangements
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has imposed a series of practising certificate conditions on solicitor Paul Josiah Ford, restricting his ability to manage law firms, handle client money and undertake certain compliance roles.
The conditions took effect on 29 May 2026 and were published by the regulator on 2 June 2026 following an SRA decision. At the time of the matters giving rise to the regulatory action, Ford was associated with Cheshire Law Associates (UK) Ltd, based in Wirral.
Under the restrictions, Ford is prohibited from acting as a manager or owner of any SRA-authorised legal practice. The regulator has also ruled that he may only work as a solicitor in an employed capacity and only where the employment has first received approval from the SRA.
In addition, Ford is barred from serving as a Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) or Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA) at any authorised body. The conditions further prevent him from holding or receiving client money, acting as a signatory on client or office accounts, or authorising transfers from those accounts.
Such restrictions are typically imposed through practising certificate conditions, which allow solicitors to continue practising while limiting particular activities considered to present regulatory risks. The SRA’s published decision confirms that the conditions apply to Ford’s practising certificate for the 2025/26 practising year.
The regulator did not publish detailed allegations or findings alongside the decision notice. However, the conditions significantly restrict Ford’s ability to exercise management, financial and compliance responsibilities within legal practices. The restrictions mean that any future legal employment undertaken by Ford must first be approved by the regulator and that he will be unable to participate in the handling or supervision of client funds.
Practising certificate conditions are one of several regulatory tools available to the SRA. In previous years, the regulator stated that Ford’s conditions were necessary in the public interest. The 2025/26 decision record departs from that language, with the SRA stating it was satisfied that no regulatory purpose made it necessary in the public interest to impose conditions suggesting the restrictions have been carried forward on a continuing basis rather than imposed in response to fresh concerns.