September 2026 - DG Legal Newsletter
DG legal is a one stop shop for legal consultancy. The team headed by David has such a broad spectrum of experience that they are always able to provide first class advice whatever the situation. Their ongoing compliance toolkit is extremely user friendly and they are always one step ahead of compliance updates. We have used DG since 2006 and in that time their offering has only got stronger.
Robert Borwick
Director | ABV Solicitors
Each month we provide our Retainer clients with a highly rated compliance bulletin covering what they need to know and what action they must take. Here is a summary of our highly rated compliance bulletin.
Who should read this item: All firms
SRA’s Continuing Competence Assessment Report
Monday 21 September 2026 By Erin Gibson
The SRA's latest competence assessment report found that most solicitors maintain their competence through regular learning and development. However, improvements are needed in record-keeping, client communication and ethics-focused training. The SRA intends to place greater emphasis on ethics and expects solicitors to be able to evidence how they maintain their competence.
Firms should ensure that solicitors and registered lawyers regularly review their learning needs and maintain clear records, particularly ahead of practising certificate and firm registration renewals next month.
Who should read this item: All firms
Update on the SRA’s Compliance Officer Reforms
Thursday 17 September 2026 By Melanie O'Brien
The Legal Services Board has now approved the proposed changes to the SRA Authorisation Rules, requiring greater separation between firm management and compliance oversight.
Firms with turnover greater than £600,000 or holding more than £2m in client money will generally be unable to appoint as COLP or COFA anyone who can unilaterally make significant management decisions.
Firms may need to consider reassigning compliance roles or changing their governance structures to ensure that key decisions are made jointly. The SRA will issue further guidance later in 2026.
Contact us
To discuss how we can assist your firm with compliance and how we can assist your firm with any required SRA forms or applications, please get in touch by emailing consultants@dglegal.co.uk or by calling 01509 214 999.
Who should read this item: All firms
Key dates: The renewal window is open from 1 to 31 October 2026.
2026-2027 Practising Certificate and Firm Registration Renewals
Monday 14 September 2026 By Melanie O'Brien
In October, all firms must complete their SRA annual return and pay the renewal fee, while solicitors and registered lawyers need to renew their practising certificates.
Fees have increased significantly, with individual practising certificates now costing £552 including the Compensation Fund contribution. Firms that held or received client money during the current practising year must also contribute £2,170 to the Compensation Fund.
Firms should prepare turnover, client money and complaints information in advance, ensure mySRA records are up to date, and confirm all staff are correctly included in the renewal process before the deadline.
Who should read this item: All firms
Responsible AI Assessment and Adoption for Legal Teams
Wednesday 9 September 2026 By Erin Gibson
The SRA has published a warning notice on the misuse of AI in legal practice, highlighting key concerns, including the risk of AI generating inaccurate or fabricated information (known as hallucinations) as well as the potential risk of compromising client confidentiality.
While AI offers significant benefits, such as supporting legal drafting and research, it also presents risks that must be carefully managed through appropriate controls. Before implementing AI, firms should conduct a thorough risk assessment and establish governance measures to ensure that AI tools are used safely and responsibly.
Contact us
To discuss how we can assist your firm with compliance, please get in touch by emailing consultants@dglegal.co.uk or by calling 01509 214 999.
Contact Us
To discover more about how we can help your firm with compliance issues, please call 01509 214 999, send us an email or complete our free enquiry form.