Get SRA authorisation for your law firm

If you want to set up a law firm in England or Wales, you must obtain authorisation from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) before you can begin practising. It is a criminal offence to carry on reserved legal activities through an unauthorised firm.

This guide takes you through the full authorisation process, from choosing your entity type to receiving your authorisation decision. Allow at least 3 to 6 months from starting your application to being authorised, as the SRA targets a decision within 90 days but may take up to 180 days.

When you need SRA authorisation

You need SRA authorisation if you intend to:

• Practise as a sole solicitor offering legal services to the public in your own name
• Set up a partnership or company that employs solicitors to deliver legal services
• Establish a business where non-lawyers hold ownership or management roles alongside solicitors (an alternative business structure)

You do not need separate SRA firm authorisation if you are an employed solicitor working within an already-authorised firm. However, every individual solicitor must hold a valid practising certificate to practise.

Choose your entity type

The SRA authorises three types of legal services entity. Choosing the right one depends on your ownership structure and whether non-lawyers will be involved in running the business.

Recognised sole practice (RSP)

For a sole solicitor practising on their own account. You are the sole principal and may employ other solicitors and staff, but the business has only one owner-manager. This is the simplest structure with the lowest application fee.

Recognised body (RB)

For partnerships or companies where all managers are lawyers (solicitors, barristers, or other authorised persons). This covers traditional law firm partnerships, limited liability partnerships (LLPs), and limited companies owned and managed entirely by lawyers.

Licensed body (LB) - alternative business structure

For firms where non-lawyers hold management or ownership roles. Licensed bodies are authorised under Part 5 of the Legal Services Act 2007. This structure allows external investment and non-lawyer participation but carries higher application fees and additional approval requirements for each non-lawyer manager or owner.

What you need before you apply

Gather all of the following before starting your application on mySRA. Missing or incomplete information is the most common cause of delays.

• Professional indemnity insurance (PII): A current quote or certificate from a participating insurer. The policy must name the firm exactly as it appears on Companies House (for incorporated bodies). Minimum cover is £3,000,000 any one claim for firms that are limited companies or LLPs, or £2,000,000 in all other cases (including sole practices and unincorporated partnerships).
• Firm structure details: Business plan, details of proposed legal services, target client base, and how you intend to operate.
• Incorporation documents: If you are forming a company or LLP, you need Companies House registration details.
• mySRA accounts for all individuals: Every person who is not already SRA-authorised must register on mySRA before the firm application is submitted.
• DBS checks: Basic Disclosure and Barring Service checks for any individuals requiring money laundering approval (must be no older than 3 months at the date of application). You also need 5 years of address history. Individuals based overseas need an overseas criminal record check and financial check.
• COLP and COFA appointments: You must nominate a Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) and a Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA) as part of the application.

After you are authorised

Once the SRA grants authorisation, you must:

• Pay annual fees: Your firm periodic fee is calculated by turnover band and invoiced each practising year. Each solicitor in the firm must also hold and pay for their own practising certificate.
• Maintain PII: You must hold qualifying professional indemnity insurance at all times. A gap in cover is a serious regulatory breach.
• Keep compliance officers in post: Your COLP and COFA must remain in role. If either leaves, you must appoint a replacement and notify the SRA promptly.
• Comply with SRA Standards and Regulations: Including the SRA Code of Conduct for Firms, the SRA Accounts Rules (if holding client money), and the SRA Transparency Rules.
• Notify the SRA of changes: Report any change to managers, owners, firm name, registered office, or compliance officers through mySRA.
• Submit annual returns: Provide the information the SRA requires each practising year, including turnover data for fee calculation.

What happens next

After authorisation, you may need to:

• Register with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) under data protection legislation
• Register for anti-money laundering supervision if your firm undertakes work within scope of the Money Laundering Regulations 2017
• Apply for financial services authorisation or notify the SRA if your firm will carry on financial services activities
• Set up a client account with a bank if you intend to hold client money