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Paying the ferryman: Peter Williamson on the work of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

This episode of the Law Report focuses on the role and remit of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). This is an update level course.



The SRA regulates more than 100,000 solicitors in England and Wales. It’s purpose is to protect the public by ensuring solicitors meet high standards and by acting when risks are identified.

Previously the Law Society Regulation Board, the SRA was set up in January 2007 following the split between the Law Society’s representative and regulatory functions. This was in response to the recommendations in the independent review of the regulation of the legal professions by Sir David Clementi in 2004.

The information in this podcast represented the legal position when it was recorded on 15/05/2007

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Your Account
Aims and Outcomes

This podcast explores in detail the SRA’s strategy and priorities and how the SRA regulates the profession, and provides an insight into some current issues.

It will be useful for any legal professional wanting to know more about regulation and how it impacts on their business.

The interview lasts for 30 minutes. It will take you a further 20 minutes to complete the questionnaire. You will need to get 50 per cent of the questions right to gain your CPD.

Learning outcomes

After listening to the interview, you will understand:

  • The powers and funding of the SRA and the relationship between it and the new Legal Services Board
  • How the SRA works with the Law Society, the Claims Management Regulator and the Legal Complaints Service
  • How regulation might change with the introduction of alternative business structures
  • What the SRA is doing to help improve the reputation of solicitors
  • How the SRA is dealing with the issues arising from the miners’ compensation scheme and referral fees
  • How the SRA investigates misconduct issues
  • What the SRA is doing to improve consumer protection
  • The SRA’s role in professional training.
Peter Williamson
Peter Williamson

Peter Williamson was admitted as a solicitor in 1972, and in 1986 became managing partner of then City law firm Turner Kenneth Brown. He was Senior Litigation Partner of Dawsons solicitors from 1991 to 1998, and since then has been a consultant to the firm.

Peter was a member of the Law Society's Council from 1992 until 2005. He has had major involvement in a number of significant regulatory issues. As chairman of the Solicitors' Indemnity Fund from 1997 to 2002, he played a leading role in the long and important debate about the arrangements for professional indemnity insurance and was a member of the Law Society's Indemnity Insurance Committee. He was a member of the Legal Practice Course Board from 1993 to 2005, and was chairman of the Common Professional Examination Board from 1998 to 2002.

He became deputy vice-president of the Law Society in 2001, and vice-president and chair of the Society's Main Board in 2002. As president of the Society from July 2003 to July 2004, he played a leading part in the development of the Society's response to Sir David Clementi's Review of the Regulatory Framework for Legal Services in England and Wales and in the Council's decision to create much greater separation between the Law Society's regulatory and representative functions.

Peter served as a deputy district judge from 1995 to 2001 and as an assistant recorder from 1996 to 2000. Since 2000 he has served as a recorder sitting in the Crown Court.