The SRA's Focus on Law Firm Culture: ReguLaw Podcast - Episode 1

CM Murray LLP - Employment, Partnership and Regulatory Law

We are delighted to introduce our brand new regulatory podcast, ReguLaw, featuring our Partner and Regulatory specialist, Andrew Pavlovic, and our Associate, Naomi Latham. This episode will be the first in a series of podcasts where Andrew and Naomi will discuss key regulatory trends and hot topics which professional service firms and solicitors need to be aware of. In our first episode, Andrew and Naomi discuss the SRA’s continued focus on law firm culture, including the following: 1. The SRA's guidance and thematic review on workplace environments and what that means for firms. The thematic review focuses on three main areas (mental health, creating a speak up culture and supervision) which are discussed in detail, with practical insight as to how firms should respond and react to the guidance. 2. The incoming rule change requiring firms and individuals to treat colleagues fairly and not unfairly discriminate them, together with the obligation on managers to challenge unfair/discriminatory behaviour, reviewing the draft guidance that the SRA has published and considering the types of behaviour the SRA will expect managers to challenge and how they should do this in practice. 3. The joint statement published by the SRA and the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal following the increase in the SRA's internal fining powers and how this demonstrates a significant shift in the SRA's approach to tackling toxic workplace cultures. 4. Supervision of junior solicitors and how unhealthy workplace environments can contribute to misconduct and/or mistakes being made.