Renewing focus on professionalism

Integrity, independence, confidentiality, a commitment, to high standards of work and upholding the rule of law – professionalism has to be at the heart of what solicitors do and how legal services are provided.

As I prepare to take over as chair of the SRA Board from January, I am looking forward to working with all parts of the profession to improve standards and focus on those core principles.

Our new corporate strategy, published earlier this month,
sets out the way forward. It sets
out how we will continue the programme of regulatory reform, which will enable growth and innovation in the market and strike the right balance between reducing the burdens
of regulation and ensuring consumer protection.

We plan to make regulation
more proportionate and relevant for all parts of the profession, including small firms, sole practitioners and in-house lawyers. One of the key first steps will be a radical simplification of the SRA Handbook – something
which I think will be widely welcomed.

Looking ahead, developing the ‘Training for Tomorrow’ programme is a priority as
we work together to make sure
that the profession can meet
future challenges.

That means listening more than ever before to those we regulate, engaging and responding to what we hear. Next year, for example, I will be leading a series of roadshows around the country, talking directly with solicitors and local law societies.

It’s important that we improve the quality of our services, operational performance and the experience of those who work with us. This isn’t just about changing process and procedure. Fundamentally, it is about changing the way we work as an organisation.

I am committed to making
us more transparent, open
and accessible in all we do.
For example, we will routinely publish details of our performance so that everyone
can see how we are doing.

Furthermore, we will support
the sector in becoming more
diverse and inclusive, ensuring
that at the same time we too become an increasingly diverse, inclusive organisation.

I am passionate about the challenges and changes to come, and to our renewed focus on the professionalism that must underpin the success of the solicitors and law firms. SJ

Enid Rowlands will take over the post of new chair of the SRA Board from 1 January 2015