SRA to consult in Autumn on enforcing ban on referral fees in pi cases

The Solicitors Regulation Authority has confirmed that it is to conduct a formal consultation in the Autumn on enforcing the forthcoming ban on referral fees in personal injury cases.

The ban, which is being introduced under the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO), is set to come into force in April 2013.

The regulator is currently analysing responses to a discussion paper it issued on the subject earlier this summer.

“The discussion paper outlines that the SRA doesn't feel that rules would be consistent with outcomes-focused regulation, and the best way forward would be to amend the mandatory outcomes within its code,” the Authority said.

“This could be backed up by illustrative indicative behaviours, but all options remain on the table.”

According to the SRA, “early indications are that the direction of travel outlined in the paper is broadly welcome”. However, fewer than 30 submissions were received.

David Hackett, Regulatory Policy Manager at the SRA, said: "There are a number of interesting aspects to the ban which we encapsulated in our paper, and these drew the responses we've received.

 "We're now analysing those responses as we draw up our formal policy position ahead of going out for a full, 12-week consultation in the autumn."