CRAFTY LEARNS

SRA guidance for in-house solicitors

What it means for you

Facilitated by Fox Williams:

Sona Ganatra, Partner (sganatra@foxwilliams.com)
David Williams, Partner (dwilliams@foxwilliams.com)
Marian Bloodworth, Partner (mbloodworth@foxwilliams.com)
Omar Salem, Partner (osalem@foxwilliams.com)

To date, there has been limited SRA guidance on in-house solicitors. The SRA’s new guidance provides greater clarity on the standards and expectations for in-house solicitors, as well as for the organisations that employ them. It also sets out what employers of in-house solicitors cannot expect them to do.

The SRA says the guidance is relevant not just for in-house solicitors, but also senior executives and non-executives, as well as HR professionals and those who are responsible for managing and supervising solicitors and legal teams.

Sona Ganatra, David Williams, Marian Bloodworth, and Omar Salem from Fox Williams were delighted to deliver a session at Crafty Learns exploring the challenges faced by in-house solicitors in balancing legal obligations with commercial pressures, and discussing practical steps to help navigate conflicts, maintain professional independence, and escalate concerns.

Practical actions you can takeaway from this session:

Familiarise yourself with the SRA guidance and case studies.
Consider how the requirements fit with the governance of your organisation (e.g. is there a risk and compliance committee that it would be appropriate to engage).
Consider how to brief those you work with, as well as potentially the board/C-suite on the requirements and what the SRA’s expectation of them are.
Consider whether any new or amended policies and procedures are need (e.g. in relation to whistle blowing).
Consider whether your employment contracts for solicitors should be amended or replaced to address points raised in the guidance.
Use the guidance as an opportunity to open up a wider discussion about the legal function (e.g. in relation to the GC’s reporting line).

If you want to learn more about this topic, here are some additional resources: