SRA grants conditional approval for Adayinka Adeniran to work as a legal assistant
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has granted conditional approval for a legal assistant previously subject to restrictions to be employed at a London law firm.
The decision concerns Adeyinka Adeniran, who is subject to an order under section 41 of the Solicitors Act 1974. Under that provision, any solicitor or regulated firm wishing to employ or remunerate him in connection with legal practice must first obtain the SRA’s approval.
On 31 January 2025, the SRA approved an application by Samuel Ross Solicitors Limited to employ Mr Adeniran as a legal assistant. The outcome was published on 10 February 2026.
At the time of the matters giving rise to the outcome, Mr Adeniran had been employed at Julius Caesar Solicitors. The SRA’s latest decision relates specifically to his proposed employment at Samuel Ross Solicitors Limited, based in Camberwell, south London.
The approval is subject to a number of detailed conditions. Mr Adeniran’s role is limited strictly to the duties described in the firm’s application dated 7 October 2024 and supplementary correspondence in December 2024. His work must be directly supervised by Monroke Lufadeju and, in her absence, by Austin Ajuzie.
The SRA has imposed further restrictions on the scope of his activities. Mr Adeniran is not permitted to attend court hearings or police station interviews. He is prohibited from receiving or holding client money and must not supervise other members of staff.
He may only have direct contact with clients while in the firm’s office and under the supervision of Ms Lufadeju or Mr Ajuzie. Any proposed variation to his job description, duties or supervision arrangements must be notified to the SRA in advance and cannot take effect without the regulator’s prior approval.
The approval will automatically lapse if Mr Adeniran’s employment with the firm ends. The SRA also confirmed that the approval and its attached conditions are subject to review at its discretion.
Mr Adeniran was originally made subject to a section 41 order on 26 September 2012. Such orders require regulatory consent before an individual can work in connection with legal practice, reflecting concerns previously identified by the regulator.
In its latest decision, the SRA stated that it is satisfied that the proposed employment, subject to the specified safeguards, will not put public confidence in the administration of justice, the provision of legal services or the interests of clients at risk.
The case highlights the regulatory framework governing non-solicitors working in legal practice and the mechanisms available to ensure appropriate oversight where restrictions apply.