https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blogKohanaPHPAndrew Sandersonhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/fire-safety-awareness-a-shared-responsibility-under-the-regulatory-reform-fire-safety-order-2005Wed, 10 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0100Fire safety is not just a compliance issue—it is a matter of protecting lives, assets, and reputations. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO), employers, landlords, and those in control of premises have a legal duty to ensure adequate fire safety measures are in place. Failure to comply can lead to severe legal and financial consequences, but more importantly, it puts people at unnecessary risk.https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/fire-safety-awareness-a-shared-responsibility-under-the-regulatory-reform-fire-safety-order-2005Andrew Sandersonhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/workplace-risk-assessments-understanding-legal-duties-under-the-management-of-health-and-safety-at-work-regulations-1999Mon, 18 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0100Ensuring the safety and health of employees is a cornerstone of responsible business practice in the UK. At the heart of this responsibility lies the legal requirement to carry out workplace risk assessments—a duty enshrined in the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR). This article sets out the legal framework surrounding risk assessments, outlines practical steps for compliance, and includes expert insights from Andrew Sanderson of Kingsley Napley and Craig Lydiate of Eighty20 Risk Systems.https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/workplace-risk-assessments-understanding-legal-duties-under-the-management-of-health-and-safety-at-work-regulations-1999Jessica Clay and Nikola Southernhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/sra-guidance-internal-investigations-and-guidance-for-in-house-advisersWed, 27 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000On 18 November 2024, the SRA published its updated and now finalised guidance on internal investigations.https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/sra-guidance-internal-investigations-and-guidance-for-in-house-advisersJessica Clayhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/ai-regulation-where-next-for-law-firmsWed, 13 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000There has been a lot of media coverage about the benefits and dangers of artificial intelligence, and the speed of its development. Jessica Clay considers the challenges of regulation and whether it is keeping pace.https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/ai-regulation-where-next-for-law-firmsJulie Norrishttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/aml-update-for-lawyers-and-law-firmsMon, 03 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0100We are already half-way through 2024 and, as predicted, the fast-paced world of AML shows no signs of stagnation, with the key front line regulators such as the SRA frequently updating its AML guidance, as well as recent legislation from the European Commission, and specifically the creation of a new European AML agency in Germany. This blog continues our series of updates for legal practitioners and law firms on the key developments from recent months.https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/aml-update-for-lawyers-and-law-firmsJulie Norris and Jessica Clayhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/the-lawyer-focus-on-our-legal-regulatory-services-teamFri, 17 May 2024 00:00:00 +0100The Lawyer profiles our legal regulatory team who provide services and advice to law firms and lawyers. https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/the-lawyer-focus-on-our-legal-regulatory-services-teamIain Millerhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/client-confidentiality-to-disclose-or-not-discloseFri, 03 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000When it comes to client confidentiality, does the profession draw the line in the right place? Historically, the paramountcy of client confidentiality, to the exclusion of all else, has been instilled in us from the early days of our legal careers.  We think, it’s fair to say, that many of us faced with a request to disclose would instinctively formulate a response that erred on the side of caution and favoured non-disclosure.https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/client-confidentiality-to-disclose-or-not-discloseJessica Clayhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/the-global-rise-of-ai-opportunities-and-challengesFri, 20 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0100At the start of November, the government will host the first global summit on artificial intelligence (AI), with a focus on the safe use of AI. The AI Safety Summit will be at Bletchley Park, a venue representing innovation and pioneering, and once the top-secret home of WW2 codebreakers.https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/the-global-rise-of-ai-opportunities-and-challengesJulie Norrishttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/bsb-issues-new-social-media-guidanceThu, 28 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0100Last week the BSB issued new Social Media Guidance, which seeks to help barristers understand how their duties under the BSB Handbook may apply to their use of social media.https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/bsb-issues-new-social-media-guidanceJulie Norrishttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/law-firms-radical-reform-on-the-cards-for-the-future-supervision-of-amlThu, 24 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0100 Most England and Wales based law firms are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), including for anti-money laundering (AML) and counter terrorism (CT) purposes. Under reforms currently being considered, responsibility for the supervision of AML and CT could be taken away from the SRA (and other legal regulators UK-wide), and given to a new body, meaning firms could be subject to dual regulation in future. The consultation on this issue closes on 30 September 2023 and given the potential implications for law firms UK wide, is worth responding to. https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/law-firms-radical-reform-on-the-cards-for-the-future-supervision-of-amlJulie Norrishttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/sanctions-uk-lawyers-restricted-from-advising-in-transactional-non-contentious-matters-for-those-tied-to-the-russia-regime-new-regulations-coming-into-force-on-30-june-2023Fri, 30 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0100The government has today laid before parliament regulations further extending the prohibition of the facilitation of sanction breaches, limiting access to advice from UK lawyers by individuals and businesses tied to the Russian regime, even where they have no underlying nexus with the UK.https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/sanctions-uk-lawyers-restricted-from-advising-in-transactional-non-contentious-matters-for-those-tied-to-the-russia-regime-new-regulations-coming-into-force-on-30-june-2023Iain Millerhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/navigating-litigation-whats-reservedMon, 12 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0100The High Court has provided welcome guidance on what exactly constitutes the conduct of litigation: Iain Miller & Charlotte Judd examine this perilously grey area of the lawhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/navigating-litigation-whats-reservedIain Millerhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/when-will-i-be-slapped-lawyers-need-to-knowThu, 18 May 2023 00:00:00 +0100It’s been over a year since the government launched its call for evidence on SLAPPs (strategic lawsuits against public participation), seeking the views of the public on introducing legislation to address this perceived problem.https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/when-will-i-be-slapped-lawyers-need-to-knowJulie Norrishttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/aml-update-for-legal-practitioners-and-law-firms-may-2023Wed, 03 May 2023 00:00:00 +0100This blog covers some important developments in the AML world since our last update for legal practitioners and law firms. Updates to Legal Sector Affinity Group (“LSAG”) AML guidance The LSAG AML guidance for the legal sector, designed to help legal professionals and firms comply with the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 (as amended), was updated on 28 March 2023.https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/aml-update-for-legal-practitioners-and-law-firms-may-2023Jessica Clayhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/fair-treatment-of-colleagues-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-sras-updated-codes-of-conductFri, 21 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0100The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has been given the green light by the Legal Services Board (LSB) to amend the SRA Codes of Conduct in respect of treating colleagues fairly and with respect. The LSB’s Decision Notice states the SRA’s intention to update the Codes immediately, “without further publicity or allowing [firms and individuals] time to prepare for the alterations”. Indeed, these changes have already taken effect, introducing in the Codes explicit requirements for individuals to treat colleagues fairly and with respect, for managers to challenge behaviour that does not meet this standard, and for firms to treat those who work for and with them fairly and with respect, and to require their employees to meet that standard.https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/fair-treatment-of-colleagues-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-sras-updated-codes-of-conductJulie Norrishttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/new-rules-for-judges-to-tackle-counter-inclusive-behavioursTue, 21 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0000In January 2023, the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary released a Statement of Expected Behaviour (“the Statement”) setting out the standards of behaviour expected from all judicial office holders. The Statement expands on the existing Guide to Judicial Conduct and covers behaviour in and outside of court, between judicial office holders and with staff and court users.    https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/new-rules-for-judges-to-tackle-counter-inclusive-behavioursJulie Norrishttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/our-at-a-glance-guide-for-law-firms-sra-guidance-on-effective-supervisionMon, 20 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0000In January 2023, the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary released a Statement of Expected Behaviour (“the Statement”) setting out the standards of behaviour expected from all judicial office holders. The Statement expands on the existing Guide to Judicial Conduct and covers behaviour in and outside of court, between judicial office holders and with staff and court users. https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/our-at-a-glance-guide-for-law-firms-sra-guidance-on-effective-supervisionJulie Norrishttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/unlimited-sra-nes-on-the-horizonFri, 09 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0000The government is on a path to introduce legislation that will enable the Solicitors Regulation Authority to take greater action against the ‘facilitators’ of money laundering; law firms will soon need to brace themselves for unlimited fines from the SRA for ‘economic crimes’.https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/unlimited-sra-nes-on-the-horizonJulie Norrishttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/sra-issues-warning-notice-on-strategic-lawsuits-against-public-participationTue, 29 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0000Strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) are legal actions that are taken not necessarily with the goal of winning in court, but which instead aim to intimidate, to induce fear, to tire and consume the financial and psychological resources of the target.https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/sra-issues-warning-notice-on-strategic-lawsuits-against-public-participationJessica Clay and Iain Millerhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/culture-matters-a-new-era-for-law-firm-risk-managementWed, 02 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0000Jessica Clay, Iain Miller, and Lucinda Soon are delighted to have contributed a chapter in the new title by Globe Law and Business “Risk Management in Law Firms”, published in October 2022. The chapter, republished here, discusses the SRA’s increased spotlight on ethical culture in law firms, its origins and evolution through the years, where we are now, and what is on the horizon.https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/legal-services-regulation-blog/culture-matters-a-new-era-for-law-firm-risk-management