A practising certificate has been restricted to prevent senior and compliance roles
A solicitor has been made subject to strict conditions on their practising certificate following a regulatory decision that the restrictions are necessary in the public interest.
The decision was taken by the Solicitors Regulation Authority on 24 November 2025 and published on 2 February 2026. The outcome places formal controls on how the solicitor may practise during the 2025/2026 practising year.
Under the decision, Chukwuemeka Mmegwa is prohibited from acting as a sole practitioner or as a manager of any authorised body. The conditions also prevent him from serving as a compliance officer for legal practice (COLP) or as a compliance officer for finance and administration (COFA). In addition, he may not practise on his own account under the relevant provisions of the SRA Authorisation of Individuals Regulations.
The regulator confirmed that the restrictions apply to Mr Mmegwa’s practising certificate and were imposed following an internal regulatory assessment. The SRA stated that the conditions are reasonable and proportionate, having regard to its statutory objectives and its duty to protect the public interest.
At the time of the matters giving rise to the decision, Mr Mmegwa was practising at Virgo Consultancy Services Ltd, a recognised body based in Barry, South Wales. By the date the outcome was published, he was associated with Lisa’s Law Limited, a firm based in London.
The SRA did not publish further details on the underlying conduct or concerns that led to the imposition of the conditions. However, it confirmed that the decision was made under its powers to control how individual solicitors practise, where it considers such measures necessary to uphold regulatory standards and public confidence in legal services.
In setting out the reasons for the restrictions, the regulator said the conditions align with the purposes set out in regulation 7 of the SRA Authorisation of Individuals Regulations. These include protecting clients, maintaining trust in the legal profession, and ensuring that legal services are delivered in accordance with proper standards.
The decision also reflects the regulatory objectives contained in section 28 of the Legal Services Act 2007, which include protecting and promoting the public interest, improving access to justice, and maintaining adherence to professional principles.
Practice controls of this nature are designed to limit risk while allowing solicitors to continue working under appropriate supervision. The SRA regularly uses such measures where it considers that unrestricted practice could pose a regulatory concern, but where suspension or more severe action is not deemed proportionate.
The conditions will remain in force unless varied or lifted by the regulator following further review.