Stephen specialises in the regulation of legal services and advises on a wide range of SRA-related matters, including authorisation requirements for law firms, reporting obligations, compliance and ethical standards.
Stephen’s experience in relation to legal services regulation began when he worked as a risk and compliance lawyer in a large full-service law firm, supporting the business to meet its regulatory requirements including conduct issues and complex AML and conflict issues.
Prior to joining Kingsley Napley, Stephen was an in-house lawyer at the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), most recently as Head of Legal, leading the General Counsel Advice team. At the SRA, Stephen provided advice on various complex legal issues, primarily focusing on advising on the SRA’s powers in the context of regulatory policy and reform. He supported the implementation of the SRA Standards and Regulations and the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) as well as playing a key role on large projects such as the establishment of the SRA as a distinct legal entity from the Law Society, the transfer of management of the Solicitors Indemnity Fund, and the more recent CILEX proposal to transfer regulation of its members to the SRA.
Stephen’s exposure to the viewpoint and considerations of both the regulator and the regulated ensures that he is well placed to provide clients with advice that takes into account both the regulatory and commercial context within which they operate.
