Law Society AGM declines to take up SRA no-confidence motion from small-firm alliance
The Law Society refused to let the SME & Boutique Law Firm Alliance put a vote of no confidence in the Solicitors Regulation Authority board on the agenda of its October 14, 2026 annual general meeting, ruling that its bylaws barred late new business. Small-firm owners used the debate to warn that the SRA's paused compliance officer reforms would close their practices.
Text (Law Gazette) → · Legal Futures
Key points
- A request to adjourn the meeting so the motion could be considered was ruled contrary to the society's bylaws.Law GazetteLegal Futures
- Alliance co-founder Jade Gani said 92% of respondents to its consultation backed holding a no-confidence vote.Law Gazette
- Gani asked the Law Society council to review progress in December and consider calling a special general meeting.Legal Futures
- The alliance says about 1,660 firms, including 431 sole owner-manager firms, would be hardest hit by the COLP and COFA changes.Legal Futures
- Other speakers said new SRA chief executive Sarah Rapson and the incoming chair should be given time to deliver a turnaround plan.Law GazetteLegal Futures
- Incoming Law Society president Brett Dixon said the council does not view a no-confidence motion as an effective campaigning approach.Law GazetteLegal Futures
Sources2 articles across 2 outlets
Filed under
RegulationUKSRA Authorisation of Firms Rules — COLP/COFA separationProfessional responsibilityRegulatoryFor practitionersFor governance