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What are the SRA rules on referral fees for solicitors?
Category: Compliance
Solicitors in England and Wales are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), and the rules on referral fees are set out in the SRA Standards and Regulations. The key provisions are found in the SRA Code of Conduct for Solicitors (paragraphs 5.1 and 5.2) and the SRA Code of Conduct for Firms (paragraph 5.1). These require that any financial arrangement connected to a referral must be disclosed to the client, must not compromise the solicitor's duty to act in the client's best interest, and must not influence the advice given. There is an important distinction in personal injury work. The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO) banned referral fees in personal injury cases. Paying or receiving a referral fee in connection with a personal injury claim is a regulatory offence. Outside personal injury, referral fees are permitted but must be handled transparently. The SRA expects firms to tell the client about the arrangement, confirm that the referral is in the client's best interest (not driven by the fee), and keep records of the arrangement. This includes disclosing the fee to the client in writing. For law firms that receive referrals from accountants, IFAs, or estate agents, the obligation sits with both the referring and receiving firm. If your firm refers clients to a solicitor and receives a fee, both parties should ensure the arrangement complies with SRA and (where applicable) ICAEW requirements. Dual-regulated referrals require attention to both sets of rules.