Official New Figures Show That Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Sees Rise in Dishonesty Among Law Firms Forcibly Shut Down ('Euthanised' Due to Misconduct)

posted by Roy Schestowitz on Mar 26, 2026

So perhaps a lot more regulation is needed then. Right, SRA?

A couple of reports today [1,2] tell us what we didn't say yesterday regarding the SRA [3,4], whose series we've put on the ice because our politicians are currently intervening (what we wanted all along).

To quote: "Suspected dishonesty accounted for an even greater share of closures, rising slightly year on year to 28.6% (12 of 42), compared with 27.1% last year (16 of 59 firms)."

In the period when we got SLAPPed (twice!) by Americans 16 law firms were shut down for dishonesty (shut down by third party, not by their own choice).

It's rather if in our little country as many as 16 law firms were found to be so dishonest that they needed to be shut down. █

______

1. Accounting breaches behind more than a quarter of SRA firm closures

   The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has stepped up its scrutiny of how law firms manage client money, with new figures highlighting accounting breaches as a leading cause of firm closures. Data from chartered accountants Lubbock Fine shows that breaches of accounting rules were responsible for 26.2% of SRA firm closures in the year to 30 September 2025.

   Findings showed that 11 of the 42 firms subject to closure were shut down for accounting‑rule breaches, up from 11 of 59 firms (18.6%) the previous year. Suspected dishonesty accounted for an even greater share of closures, rising slightly year on year to 28.6% (12 of 42), compared with 27.1% last year (16 of 59 firms).

   The SRA uses a process known as an ‘intervention’ to close law firms on either a temporary or permanent basis where it believes client money is at risk. Interventions allow the regulator to seize documents and funds, suspend solicitors’ practising rights and begin full investigations.

2. Law firms face increased scrutiny from regulator

   The Solicitors Regulation Authority has intensified its oversight of law firms following several accounting breaches

3. It's Always a Question of Trust

4. Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Must More Carefully Investigate or Assess the Financial State of Law Firms in the UK