Sarah Rapson outlines plans to improve investigations, supervision and risk monitoring as regulator seeks to rebuild trust with profession
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has set out a programme of reforms for 2026 aimed at improving performance, addressing operational challenges and rebuilding trust with both the public and the legal profession.
Speaking at a Law Society Council meeting, Chief Executive Sarah Rapson outlined the regulator’s priorities, acknowledging that the organisation had not consistently met expectations. She cited concerns including slow casework, increasing reports of misconduct and a reactive approach to regulation.
In response, the SRA will focus on four key priorities: operational excellence, improved collaboration, proactive risk identification and a stronger focus on significant sector risks.
A central element of the reform programme is improving operational performance. The SRA plans to review its casework processes, including how it applies its assessment threshold test and how it conducts investigations. It will also introduce improvements to quality assurance in triage and explore alternatives to full investigations through a new supervision pilot. Changes to governance, leadership and organisational culture are also planned, alongside expansion of the executive team to increase capacity and expertise.
The regulator has also committed to strengthening its engagement with the profession. This will include increased direct involvement from senior leadership, enhanced communications and greater transparency around regulatory decisions and actions. The aim is to address concerns that the regulator does not always fully understand the practical challenges faced by solicitors.
A shift towards a more proactive, data-led approach to regulation forms another key part of the strategy. The SRA intends to roll out a law firm profiling tool to provide a clearer view of risks across firms. It will also introduce rapid and strategic risk assessments and launch an intensive supervision pilot designed to identify and address risks earlier.
The regulator will also prioritise what it describes as “big issues” affecting the sector. This includes the high-volume consumer claims market, where it has identified risks to the public. Planned measures include continued use of warning notices, a supervision taskforce and updated guidance on litigation funding and after-the-event insurance.
Ms Rapson stated that the reforms are designed to improve both public protection and the experience of those regulated by the SRA. This includes reducing investigation times, focusing on core regulatory issues and encouraging compliance rather than relying primarily on enforcement action.
She said the long-term objective is to create a regulator that is modern, proportionate and effective, with trust identified as a key measure of success.
The changes introduced in 2026 will inform the SRA’s next three-year corporate strategy, which is expected to be consulted on later this year and formally launched in 2027.