Fines for transparency breaches
By Nicola Laver
Ten law firms have been sanctioned by the regulator for breaches of the transparency rules in the first three weeks of 2021
The rules came into effect in December 2018 and require that firm websites should, for example, include basic, indicative information about the price of certain legal services; details about who might carry out the work; and firms’ complaints procedures.
The sanctions include one firm beingfined £2,000 and ordered to pay £300 costs for failing to publish the mandatory details and the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) digital logo on its website.
The SRA has warned that firms who are falling short of the requirements need to improve.
SRA chief executive Paul Philip said: ‘People need good information to make good choices. Our rules mean that firms must publish detail on price and service for key areas of legal work, and on the protections available for consumers, helping people to find the help they need.’
"We have provided support for firms to get this right and we will continue to do so. However, I want to be clear that where firms are not providing the type of information that the public expect and our rules mandate, we will take enforcement action.”
He said checks will continue throughout the year to see if firms are compliant.