SRA restricts solicitor from management, compliance and client money responsibilities
A solicitor has been made subject to practising certificate conditions by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), restricting his involvement in the management and financial operation of law firms. The conditions apply to Raymond St John Murphy and took effect on 7 April 2026. The decision was published by the SRA on 19 June 2026.
At the time of the matters giving rise to the regulatory action, Murphy was associated with ST JOHN LAW LIMITED, based in London. At the date of publication, he was practising under the name Raymond Murphy from an address in Albemarle Street, London.
Under the conditions attached to his practising certificate for the 2025/2026 practising year, Murphy is prohibited from acting as a manager or owner of an authorised body. The SRA has also barred him from acting as a Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) or a Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA) for any authorised body.
In addition, Murphy is not permitted to hold or receive client money, act as a signatory on any client or office account, or have authority to approve transfers from client or office accounts. The regulator’s published decision does not provide further details regarding the circumstances that led to the imposition of the conditions.
However, the SRA stated that the restrictions were necessary in the public interest. According to the decision notice, the conditions were considered reasonable and proportionate, having regard to the purposes set out in Regulation 7 of the SRA Authorisation of Individuals Regulations.
The regulator also stated that it had taken into account the regulatory objectives and principles governing regulatory activities contained in section 28 of the Legal Services Act 2007. Practising certificate conditions allow solicitors to continue practising while restricting specific activities considered to require regulatory controls.