SRA Compliance IT Guide for North West Law Firms

IT for Law Firms | SRA Compliance | 6 min read

The SRA expects you to protect client data and maintain operational resilience. Here’s what that actually means for your IT, and how North West law firms are meeting these requirements.

What the SRA Actually Requires

The SRA Code of Conduct and associated guidance doesn’t prescribe specific technologies. Instead, it requires outcomes:

• Client confidentiality: You must keep client affairs confidential (Principle 6)
• Data protection: Proper safeguards for client data (outcomes in the Code)
• Business continuity: Ability to continue serving clients if something goes wrong
• Third-party risk: Responsibility extends to your suppliers, including IT providers

The SRA has increasingly focused on cyber security following high-profile law firm breaches. Their thematic reviews and warning notices make clear: IT security failures can lead to regulatory action.

IT Controls the SRA Expects to See

1. Access Controls

Who can access client data, and how is that controlled?

2. Data Protection

How is client data protected from unauthorised access?

3. Business Continuity

Can you continue to serve clients if something goes wrong?

4. Incident Response

What happens when something goes wrong?

Conveyancing Fraud: The SRA’s Top Concern

The SRA has issued multiple warnings about conveyancing fraud. The typical attack:

North West property markets are active, making local firms attractive targets. The SRA expects firms to have specific controls:

• Email security (DMARC/DKIM/SPF properly configured)
• Verification procedures for any payment detail changes
• Staff training on business email compromise
• Secure client communication for sensitive information

Cyber Essentials: The Baseline for Law Firms

While not explicitly required by the SRA, Cyber Essentials has become the de facto standard for law firms:

• Many PI insurers now require it
• Corporate clients increasingly ask for evidence
• Demonstrates “reasonable steps” to the SRA
• Covers the fundamental controls

For most North West law firms handling conveyancing, family, or commercial work, Cyber Essentials Plus provides better evidence of security posture.

Cloud and the SRA

Many law firms are nervous about putting client data “in the cloud.” The SRA doesn’t prohibit cloud services, but does expect you to:

• Understand where your data is stored
• Ensure appropriate security measures
• Have contractual protections with providers
• Maintain ability to access and retrieve data

Properly configured Microsoft 365 or Azure with UK data residency typically meets these requirements. The key word is “properly configured.” Default settings aren’t enough.

What SRA Reviewers Ask About IT

Based on SRA thematic reviews and firm visits, expect questions like:

• How do you protect client data from cyber attacks?
• What happens if your systems are unavailable?
• How do you verify the identity of people requesting payment changes?
• What cyber security training do staff receive?
• Do you have cyber insurance? What does it cover?
• How do you assess the security of your IT provider?

Local IT Support for North West Law Firms

We support law firms across Liverpool, Chester, Wirral, Warrington, and the wider North West. We understand:

• SRA compliance requirements
• Case management software (LEAP, Clio, PMS systems)
• Conveyancing fraud risks and prevention
• The pressure of completions and court deadlines

When something goes wrong on a Friday afternoon before completion, you need local support that can respond quickly, not a remote helpdesk.