6 May 2026
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has dusted off its rulebook once again and this time the spotlight is firmly on continuing competence.
A new consultation launched in April 2026 sets out proposals that could bring a few extra admin tasks to firms, along with a stronger focus on ethics training and maintaining proper learning records.
Compliance officers everywhere can probably feel the headaches coming already, but don’t worry, nothing is set in stone yet, as the consultation remains open.
Even so, firms would be wise to start paying attention to the direction that the SRA is taking now rather than waiting until the last minute and discovering someone’s “training record” is three half-completed spreadsheets and a sticky note saying, “watched webinar”.
What is the SRA trying to change?
The SRA is proposing three main changes.
First, solicitors may soon need to keep a proper written record of their learning and development needs, including how those needs were identified and what was done about them.
Second, annual ethics discussions could become mandatory for all solicitors.
These discussions would involve working through ethical scenarios with colleagues rather than simply clicking through an online course while answering emails and making tea. (Yes, we know you do this.)
Third, the SRA wants the power to require specific training where competence concerns arise. That could apply to individuals, teams, particular practice areas or even the wider profession if recurring issues appear.
Essentially, it sounds like the SRA is keen to move continuing competence toward a requirement backed by more demonstrable evidence. If tasked with this now, many firms may struggle to meet the standard – at least the ones that aren’t already using The Professional Alternative.
Why are the SRA looking to make these changes?
The timing of this proposal is hardly a mystery.
The legal sector has faced growing scrutiny around professional standards over the past few years. High-profile cases and ongoing concerns around ethics have all kept regulators busy.
The SRA’s own assessments have also suggested that while many solicitors keep their knowledge up to date, some firms still treat competence as something to think about five minutes before they’re supposed to provide a training renewal certificate.
Of course, technical legal training still matters. After all, solicitors do need to know the law to do their jobs properly.
However, the SRA no longer sees technical knowledge as the only marker of competence.
Firms are also expected to focus on wider professional responsibilities, particularly ethics and regulatory awareness.
That means keeping up with warning notices, understanding conduct risks and making sure staff can spot issues before they become front-page news.
What could this mean for firms?
For firms that already take training seriously, these proposals may not feel hugely dramatic.
Plenty already keep learning records and hold ethics discussions as part of normal supervision.
For others, this could mean a bit of a scramble to get things in order.
Firms may need clearer systems for tracking learning activities, recording reflections and showing how training links to someone’s role.
Ethics training is also likely to need a refresh. A once-a-year slide deck with ten multiple-choice questions probably will not cut it if the SRA wants meaningful discussion around ethical scenarios.
Naturally, one of the biggest concerns for firms will be administration.
Nobody (as far as we know) enters the legal profession dreaming about beautifully organised continuing competence logs.
That said, if the SRA wants firms and solicitors to demonstrate active engagement with competence, then keeping records little and often will almost certainly make life easier if these proposals go ahead.
What firms can do now
The consultation does not close until 15 July 2026 and any rule changes would still need approval before taking effect, which fortunately gives you plenty of time to prepare properly for whatever comes from this.
To get ahead, we’d suggest:
Firms that already have structured compliance training in place are likely to be in a much stronger position if the proposals move forward.
How we can help
Most firms already know that good training helps reduce risk and prevents small issues from turning into expensive ones.
The challenge is making sure there is enough evidence to back it all up, because in compliance land, if it is not written down, it may as well have been carried out by a ghost.
Our online training platform has all the training materials you could possibly need (including ethics training modules) to help keep your firm and team compliant with SRA regulations.
Don’t believe us? You can download our brochure here for a preview of all of our courses designed specifically for legal professionals.
Not only do we have a mountain of courses for you to choose from, but we also have automatic tracking so you can see who’s completed what and when.