The Solicitors Regulation Authority plans to reduce investigations despite rising complaints about lawyer misconduct. Chief executive Sarah Rapson told the Financial Times the agency is spread too thin managing 15,000 annual misconduct reports across 9,000 law firms and 174,000 solicitors.

Rapson cited criticism over missed firm collapses, including SSB Group and Axiom Ince, where independent reviews found the watchdog failed to act on warning signs. The SRA currently handles about 2,000 open investigations but faces growing caseloads. Rapson suggested artificial intelligence may be driving complaint volumes higher.

The regulator faces additional scrutiny over slow responses to cases like solicitor Andrew Milne, convicted of stalking, and controversial decisions in strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP) cases. Rapson said the SRA needs to grow its 950-strong staff and will increase fees this autumn to meet rising regulatory demands.