
Today's Conveyancer Podcast
Exclusive: Holding the SRA to account on the COLP/COFA debate
In an exclusive interview with the Today's Conveyancer Podcast Circe Law CEO Jade Gani explains why a newly-launched alliance is taking the Solicitors Regulation Authority to task on changes to the compliance regime, explaining how the proposals will disproportionately impact small and medium sized law firms. As one of the founders of the SME & Boutique Law Firm Alliance Gani explains the group is not opposed to protections which would reduce the risk of notable recent failures including Axiom Ince and PM Law, but raises concerns the route proposed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority would not only not be effective, but would disproportionately impact boutique and high street law firms with a knock-on impact on access to justice, consumers choice, and diversity in the law. As it stands, from January 2027 law firms with a turnover over £600,000 or over £2m in their client account will be required to separate the roles of Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) and Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA) from those with "unilateral decision making" responsibilities in the firm. The group say they have asked for the rules changes to be paused while evidence of what risks are posed at the thresholds proposed is gathered. Gani adds the proposals are unworkable in smaller firms, around 15% of the overall number of regulated law firms, where there are no suitable alternative postholders. So contentious is the debate, the Alliance has said it would call for a vote of no confidence in the leadership at the regulator should the proposals go ahead. In an open letter and subsequent meeting with the SRA the group has proposed a number of alternatives which they say would have a more proportionate and effective impact. In response the SRA has said it agreed with the need to better protect the public by strengthening the safeguards around client money and was "committed to continuing the conversation on this important issue" before responding further. The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk . Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. Thank you to our podcast sponsors LEAP Legal Software and InfoTrack

