SRA consults on impact of technology and AI on solicitors’ learning and development
Summary
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has opened an eight-week consultation on updating the Statement of Solicitor Competence and functioning legal knowledge requirements. The proposals aim to reflect the growing use of technology and AI in legal practice, alongside changes to supervision, wellbeing, professional conduct and ethics.
Why it matters
Residential property surveyors regularly rely on solicitors for conveyancing and related legal work, so changes to solicitor competence standards may affect the quality and consistency of legal services they encounter. The consultation also signals how regulators are beginning to formalise expectations around technology and AI, which is relevant to professional practice across the property sector.
Key points
- SRA consultation seeks updates to solicitor competence standards and SQE functioning legal knowledge.
- Technology and AI are specifically being considered as part of modern legal practice.
- Proposals also cover supervision, health and wellbeing, and professional conduct and ethics.
- The consultation runs until 3 December, with new standards due to be published in April 2027 and take effect in September 2027.
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