Press Release: SRA disciplinary records published in an accessible format for the first time
Law firm compliance breeches have been published, for the first time, in a way that enables the public to access the data in an easily reachable format. Solicitor.info has build upon its record of emancipating consumers from the traditional legal system and empowering them to make informed decisions when choosing a solicitor.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) had been criticised for by consumer bodies, such as the Legal Services Consumer Panel, for failing to publish enforcement data since 2016. This is in clear breech of their responsibilities. Additionally, the slow-moving nature of the disclosure meant that consumers were kept in the dark of full facts when attempting to choose a solicitor. This issue was exacerbated by the fact that the information, when it did finally reach the disclosure stage on the SRA’s website, was difficult to access.
Quest for transparency
Solicitor.info has tackled this problem by housing the data in an easy to navigate platform, which attracts more than 3 million page views. When users are on the site, they are also able to compare solicitor firms using the SRA data, client reviews and other information. This is a unique platform- storing all of this information all on one searchable site, empowering the consumer to make an informed choice based on meaningful data.
The website was founded a decade ago by David Sprake, a renewable energy university senior lecturer in his spare time, following a poor personal experience with a solicitor. Of the move to publish the disciplinary records Sprake said: ‘legal consumers have been crying out for a genuine consumer focused website, and not simply an advertising platform for solicitors.’
Sprake intends to broaden the scope of solicitor.info in his quest for transparency by publishing legal ombudsman records where wrongdoing has been found.
Notes for Editors:
- Solicitor.info was founded in 2007 by David Sprake, senior lecturer and programme leader for renewable energy at Wrexham Glyndwr University
- The website had over 16,000 reviews
- In 2011 it won an award for being one of the top ten .info websites in the world
- Contact can be made via Email: info@solicitor.info. Law firm compliance breeches have been published, for the first time, in a way that enables the public to access the data in an easily reachable format. Solicitor.info has build upon its record of emancipating consumers from the traditional legal system and empowering them to make informed decisions when choosing a solicitor.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) had been criticised for by consumer bodies, such as the Legal Services Consumer Panel, for failing to publish enforcement data since 2016. This is in clear breech of their responsibilities. Additionally, the slow-moving nature of the disclosure meant that consumers were kept in the dark of full facts when attempting to choose a solicitor. This issue was exacerbated by the fact that the information, when it did finally reach the disclosure stage on the SRA’s website, was difficult to access.
Quest for transparency
Solicitor.info has tackled this problem by housing the data in an easy to navigate platform, which attracts more than 3 million page views. When users are on the site, they are also able to compare solicitor firms using the SRA data, client reviews and other information. This is a unique platform- storing all of this information all on one searchable site, empowering the consumer to make an informed choice based on meaningful data.
The website was founded a decade ago by David Sprake, a renewable energy university senior lecturer in his spare time, following a poor personal experience with a solicitor. Of the move to publish the disciplinary records Sprake said: ‘legal consumers have been crying out for a genuine consumer focused website, and not simply an advertising platform for solicitors.’
Sprake intends to broaden the scope of solicitor.info in his quest for transparency by publishing legal ombudsman records where wrongdoing has been found.
Solicitor firms asking to be removed from ratings website
(Some solicitors have asked us to remove themselves from the website and we do.)
Listing simply shows displays: This solicitor asked for their reviews to be removed from solicitior.info and the ability to leave further reviews has been disabled.
Sprake says its Darwinian natural selection where solicitors you might not want to instruct will remove themselves out of the gene pool.
Allows people to find a trusted solicitor by comparing client reviews, SRA (Solicitors regulation authority, disciplinary history and other information.
If solicitor firms have taken the decision to remove themselves then it will be difficult for clients to check there records.
Notes for Editors:
- Solicitor.info was founded in 2007 by David Sprake, senior lecturer and programme leader for renewable energy at Wrexham Glyndwr University
- The website had over 16,000 reviews
- In 2011 it won an award for being one of the top ten .info websites in the world
- Contact can be made via Email: info@solicitor.info
