The SRA and Law Society are set to collect US$287.2 million (£224m) from solicitors from November, US$64.1 million (£50m) more than this year, while a solicitor advocate urges care over first replies to SRA letters.
The Law Society and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) are set to collect a total of US$287.2 million (£224m) in fees from solicitors for the next practising year from November, US$64.1 million (£50m) more than the current year, Legal Futures reported on 12 August 2026. The 29% jump is mainly due to SRA demands. The total is made up of practising fees and SRA Compensation Fund contributions.
Of the US$228.2 million (£178m) in practising fees, a 20% increase, US$143.6 million (£112m) (63%) will go to the SRA and US$48.7 million (£38m) (21%) to the Law Society. The remaining US$35.9 million (£28m) funds levies for the Legal Ombudsman, Legal Services Board, Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and the Office for Professional Body Anti-Money Laundering Supervision. The individual practising certificate fee rises only 17%, from US$420 (£326) to US$490 (£382), owing to the continuing rise in the number of practising solicitors to around 194,000. Firms pay 60% of the total fees.
The joint application to the Legal Services Board (LSB) excludes compensation fund contributions, which will be subject to a separate application. The SRA is looking to collect US$59 million (£46m) for the fund, US$25.6 million (£20m) more than the current year, with individuals paying 70% rather than the usual 50%. Subject to LSB approval, individuals will pay US$220 (£170), up from US$90 (£70), and firms US$2,780 (£2,170), up from US$2,500 (£1,950).
The SRA said it has seen a significant and sustained increase in reports about solicitor misconduct, more large firm closures and rising concerns in the high-volume consumer claims market. Its draft 2026-27 budget shows income of US$250 million (£195m) and an anticipated surplus of US$13.2 million (£10.3m). It includes US$15 million (£11.7m) on external disciplinary and enforcement legal costs, 55% higher than last year, which the application attributed to a number of high-profile cases, among them its Post Office Horizon investigations and increased reports of solicitor misconduct.
Jonathan Goodwin, a solicitor advocate who prosecuted for the SRA and its predecessor for 20 years, wrote in Legal Futures on 9 November 2026 that cases are rarely won or lost in the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. He said an allegation is not a finding, many investigations end without formal action, and the first response becomes part of the record.
