The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has published further guidance on price transparency ahead of the 6 December deadline.
From next month, all regulated law firms will be required to proactively publish information on the prices they charge and what these include.
The information relates to a variety of public services (conveyancing, probate, motoring offences, employment tribunals [claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal] and immigration [excluding asylum]), as well as some corporate services (debt recovery up to £100k, employment tribunals [defending claims for unfair or wrongful dismissal] and licensing applications for business premises).
Guidance related to price transparency rules is available to view online here.
The 6 December deadline also marks the date by which firms must make information about their complaints procedures available online.
The SRA has this week confirmed that law firm website visitors will be greeted by a ‘digital badge’, earned by those firms which are fully compliant with the new regulations. The badge can be downloaded here.
The SRA added that the badge is “expected to become a mandatory requirement” by spring 2019.
Suggested text for providing information about your own complaints process, as advised by the SRA, can be found here.
Commenting on the latest guidance, Paul Philip, SRA Chief Executive, said: “Publishing information on price, services and protections will not only benefit the public, but will also help law firms win new business. Research shows that people struggle to find clear information about the services firms offer and think using a solicitor is more expensive than it actually is.
“We are providing guidance and support for firms to help them meet the new requirements and make the most of the opportunities they bring.”
The new rules follow recent research which suggests that 85 per cent of customers want information on price, protections and quality of service before choosing a legal services provider.
