If you’re involved in managing compliance at a UK law firm, you’re probably no stranger to the SRA Price Transparency Rules. But just how compliant is your website? In this blog post, we dive into what you need to know and how you can ensure your firm meets the requirements.
Understanding the SRA Price Transparency Rules
The SRA Transparency Rules, which came into force in December 2018, marked a significant shift in how law firms should communicate pricing and service details to their clients. Instructed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), these rules aim to improve transparency within the legal sector enabling clients to make informed decisions about their legal matters.
Covering a range of practice areas, law firms must disclose price and service information in a clear and accessible manner. These areas include:
- Residential conveyancing
- Probate (uncontested)
- Motoring offences (summary offences)
- Immigration (excluding asylum)
- Employment tribunals (unfair/ wrongful dismissal)
- Debt recovery (up to £100,000)
- Licensing applications (business premises)
Also, it’s crucial to note that even if your firm doesn’t have an online presence through a website, you’re still required to provide this information upon request in alternative formats. This ensures that regardless of the means of communication, clients have access to transparent pricing information.
What the SRA Price Transparency Rules entail
The SRA Price Transparency Rules include a multifaceted approach to transparency and accountability within the legal sector. Beyond the disclosure of pricing and service information, firms have to adhere to additional requirements to enhance clarity and trust. Alongside publishing price and service details, firms must prominently display the SRA’s digital logo on their website, serving as a visual indicator of compliance. This badge reassures clients that the firm operates within regulatory guidelines, instilling confidence in the transparency of legal fees and services offered.
Additionally, the Rules also require firms to publish details of their complaints procedure on their website. This includes comprehensive information on how and when a complaint can be lodged, both to the Legal Ombudsman and directly to the SRA. By offering clear guidance on the complaints process, firms prove a commitment to accountability and client satisfaction.
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Insights from the Year Three Evaluation
The Year Three Evaluation of the SRA Transparency Rules shed light on the full adoption of the rules. While progress has been made, there are still significant challenges that law firms must address to meet the requirements effectively.
The compliance landscape
According to the evaluation, a majority of firms reported compliance with various aspects of the transparency rules:
- 75% claimed to provide price and service information
- 88% displayed the SRA clickable logo
- 88% published complaints procedures
- 76% detailed how to complain to the SRA/ Legal Ombudsman
However, when it comes to price and service information specifically, only 42% of firms stated they published all required details. This highlights a significant gap in compliance, with more than half of firms falling short in this crucial area alone.
The reality of compliance
In 2021, the SRA took proactive steps by requiring all law firms with websites to complete a mandatory declaration confirming compliance with the transparency rules. Despite these declarations, spot checks conducted by the SRA revealed a different reality.
Common areas of non-compliance identified during spot checks include:
- Partial compliance with certain aspects of the rules, such as publishing price and service information while omitting complaint information
- Selective compliance with rules for specific service areas, particularly among firms with multiple websites or sections dedicated to different areas of law
- Incomplete publication of information regarding how services will be delivered and by whom
- Improper display of the SRA clickable logo, hindering the dynamic link to firm information on the SRA website
Ensuring compliance
Ensuring compliance with SRA Price Transparency Rules is essential for law firms to maintain trust and transparency with their clients, as well as meet their regulatory requirements.
So, how can your law firm ensure compliance with the transparency rules?
1. Review your website regularly
Regularly review your website to ensure all required information is up-to-date, accurate, and easily accessible to visitors. Keeping a vigilant eye on your online presence ensures that potential clients can find the information they need without any hassle.
2. Utilise SRA templates
Take advantage of the SRA’s provided templates for suggested text. These templates can be invaluable in identifying any missing information on your website, helping you align with the requirements of the Transparency Rules more effectively.
3. Consider user experience
Prioritise the user experience on your website to ensure that clients can easily navigate and find the necessary information. Whether through specific webpages, intuitive online quote tools, or seamless connections to price comparison sites, prioritising accessibility enhances client satisfaction.
4. Get expert help
If you’re unsure about compliance or need assistance, Teal Compliance offers website audit services. We can provide guidance and help you navigate any non-compliance issues, ensuring your firm remains aligned with regulatory standards.
Moving forward
The findings highlight the importance of ongoing vigilance and proactive measures to achieve full compliance with the SRA Transparency Rules. Law firms must not only ensure that they are meeting the minimum requirements but also strive for transparency and clarity across all aspects of their online presence.
As regulatory scrutiny intensifies and expectations evolve, firms need to review their compliance strategies, address identified gaps, and embrace best practices to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability.
Get in touch
At Teal, we’re here to support your journey towards compliance that works.
We understand that compliance can be a daunting word, but it’s also the key to unlocking your firm’s full potential.
Our experts at Teal Compliance are here to help. Get in touch today to explore tailored solutions and ensure your firm stays ahead of regulatory requirements.
