Public-interest litigation · preparatory, as at August 2026

Judicial review against the SRA

A prospective joint judicial review of the Solicitors Regulation Authority — interest is being registered; no proceedings have yet been issued. Read the background below, then register your interest using the form.

Challenging the SRA

Why are we challenging the SRA and what is the basis for our legal challenge?

We believe the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is failing to fulfil its core regulatory duties. The SRA’s inaction and inability to enforce its own Code of Conduct leave victims of professional misconduct without proper redress, undermining public trust in the legal profession.

Our legal challenge is based on the principle of Wednesbury Unreasonableness. In public law, a decision by a public body can be challenged if it is so irrational that no reasonable decision-maker could have made it. We assert that the SRA’s failure to enforce its Code of Conduct meets this threshold of unreasonableness.

What are our aims with the judicial review and how will it be funded?

Our aims with the judicial review are to:

Demonstrate that the SRA’s inaction is unlawful under public law principles.
Show that the SRA’s decisions or lack thereof are irrational to the point of Wednesbury unreasonableness.
Highlight that procedural and substantive fairness has been compromised for victims seeking accountability.

By pursuing a joint action, we intend to illustrate that multiple individuals and entities have suffered similar harms due to the SRA’s approach.

Our funding strategy includes:

Crowdfunding: To ensure broad public participation and share the financial burden.
Protective Costs Orders (PCOs): To cap or limit adverse costs liability if our claim is unsuccessful.
Initial Investigative Work: Provided free of charge by Legal Lens.

We maintain transparent accounts of all funds raised and disbursed to ensure trust and accountability.

Why does this legal challenge matter?

The legal profession plays a crucial role in society, and effective regulation is essential to uphold high standards. By challenging the SRA’s inaction, we aim to:

Restore confidence in the regulatory system meant to protect individuals and businesses.
Ensure that victims of professional misconduct receive proper redress.
Compel meaningful reform or enforcement within the SRA to better serve the public interest.

Our collective action seeks to prevent injustice caused by substandard legal regulation.

Register your interest

Five parts. Fields marked Required must be completed before the form will send.

1. Personal details

Full name Required

Email address Required

Telephone Optional

Town or city Required

2. Brief summary of concern

Please describe how you believe the SRA’s inaction or inadequate enforcement has affected you Required

A useful summary keeps to the facts: what happened, when it happened, and what the SRA did or failed to do. A few sentences is enough at this stage.

3. Indication of evidence

Do you have any documents or evidence you could provide at a later stage to support your claim? Required

Yes No

Please briefly outline the nature of the evidence Optional

4. Consent and future communication I consent to being contacted by the organising group and/or its legal representatives about this prospective judicial review. Required I understand my personal information will be used solely to manage my expression of interest and to keep me updated on the progress of this potential legal action. Required

5. Declaration I confirm that the information provided is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I acknowledge that this form does not create a formal legal retainer or solicitor-client relationship. I understand that I may be asked to complete a more detailed application if my situation is deemed relevant to the joint judicial review. Required

Signature Optional

Date Required

Enter the date in the format your browser shows — usually day, month, year.

Your registration is sent directly to John Barwell, who will be in touch about next steps. See the privacy policy for how your details are handled.