SRA restricts solicitor Robin Makin’s practice after public interest concerns

SRA imposes conditions on Robin Makin’s practising certificate citing public interest

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has imposed strict conditions on the practising certificate of solicitor Robin Simon Graham Makin, citing the need to act in the public interest. The decision, published on 22 September 2025, follows a regulatory outcome dated 4 September 2025, and applies to Makin’s 2023/2024 practising certificate.

Makin, a solicitor of Liverpool Legal Services Ltd, has been barred from holding a number of senior and regulatory positions within the profession. The SRA ruled that he must not act as the sole manager of any authorised body, authorised non-SRA firm, or legal services body. In addition, he is prohibited from serving as a Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) or a Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA) for any authorised organisation.

The regulator has also restricted Makin from exercising rights of audience on behalf of clients, preventing him from appearing in court as an advocate. These conditions significantly limit his scope of practice and restrict his ability to assume leadership or regulatory oversight responsibilities in law firms.

In its published outcome, the SRA stated that the restrictions were necessary in the public interest and proportionate in light of its regulatory objectives. The decision was made pursuant to regulation 7 of the SRA Authorisation of Individuals Regulations, which allows the regulator to impose conditions on practising certificates where appropriate to protect the public, uphold the rule of law, and maintain confidence in the solicitors’ profession.

The Legal Services Act 2007 requires regulators to act in accordance with principles that safeguard consumer protection and the effective administration of justice. The SRA said it considered those principles in reaching its decision, emphasising that the restrictions on Makin’s practice were consistent with its statutory objectives.

While the SRA has not publicly disclosed the detailed circumstances that led to the restrictions, the outcome reflects the regulator’s use of its powers to control the scope of practice of solicitors where concerns arise. Such conditions are intended to prevent risks to clients and ensure that firms operate with robust governance and accountability.

The conditions mean that Makin cannot take sole charge of a practice, nor can he oversee compliance or financial administration. These roles are central to regulatory assurance within legal businesses, and by preventing him from holding such responsibilities, the SRA has effectively limited his exposure to high-risk decision-making within a firm.

The restriction on rights of audience further narrows his professional activities. Advocacy is a key reserved legal activity, and the regulator’s decision prevents him from representing clients in court. This measure underscores the seriousness with which the SRA has approached the matter.

The announcement is part of the SRA’s wider strategy to maintain public confidence in the legal profession by ensuring that solicitors who are subject to regulatory concerns do not occupy positions of trust that could expose clients or the wider system of justice to risk. By publishing the outcome, the SRA has also fulfilled its duty of transparency, providing visibility into how it exercises its powers to protect the public and regulate effectively.

Makin remains authorised to practise as a solicitor, but only within the limits set out by the imposed conditions. The restrictions are indefinite unless varied or lifted by the SRA at a later date. For now, they stand as a reminder of the regulator’s readiness to intervene where it considers the public interest requires firm action.