Consultation proposes new record-keeping, ethics discussions and targeted training powers
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has launched a consultation on proposals to strengthen its continuing competence framework, including mandatory ethics discussions, enhanced record-keeping requirements and new powers to require targeted learning where competence concerns arise.
The consultation, which opened on 22 April 2026, runs until 15 July 2026 and seeks views on a package of regulatory changes designed to provide greater assurance that solicitors maintain the knowledge, skills and ethical standards expected throughout their careers.
Under the proposals, solicitors would be required to keep records explaining how they identified their learning and development needs, how those needs were addressed, and retain supporting evidence for at least three years. The SRA says many firms already maintain similar records, but its monitoring has found that some solicitors are unable to demonstrate that learning has resulted from meaningful reflection or that ethical development has been adequately considered.
The regulator is also consulting on introducing an annual requirement for solicitors to take part in at least three hours of facilitated ethics discussions. These sessions would focus on professional ethical duties, practical dilemmas and decision-making rather than technical legal knowledge alone. Solicitors would confirm compliance through their practising certificate renewal declaration if the proposal is approved.
For solicitors, the most significant practical consequence is that the proposals would move continuing competence beyond self-directed learning by introducing specific regulatory obligations. If implemented, practitioners would need to maintain documented evidence of reflective learning, participate annually in ethics discussions and be prepared to demonstrate compliance during practising certificate renewal.
The consultation also proposes giving the SRA an express rule-making power to require some or all solicitors to complete specified learning and development where the regulator identifies competence concerns. The requirement could apply across the profession or be limited to particular practice areas or groups of solicitors, depending on the issue identified.
In addition, the SRA intends to introduce a corresponding rule allowing it to require non-authorised staff within SRA-regulated organisations to complete specified learning and development where competence concerns are identified. According to the regulator, this would strengthen existing obligations on firms to ensure employees are competent to perform their roles.
The SRA says its proposals have been informed by monitoring work, stakeholder engagement and wider developments concerning professional ethics. It states that, following the consultation, it will analyse responses before deciding whether to proceed. Any rule changes would require approval from the Legal Services Board before coming into force. For the proposed record-keeping and ethics requirements, the SRA indicates implementation would begin from the 2027/28 practising year, subject to that approval.