By Legal Futures Associate National Claims
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has been clear: the legal sector must adapt to the ever-evolving standards of due diligence, particularly in claims management and insurance.
Recent guidance emphasises that solicitors must go beyond basic checks to ensure client instructions are legitimate, third-party relationships are transparent, and claims transitions are seamless. These changes demand not just compliance, but strategic partnerships that empower law firms to thrive in this new environment.
This is where National Claims stands out from the crowd. As a trusted, award-winning claims management partner, we help law firms meet these heightened standards while enhancing client outcomes.
Understanding the SRA’s latest guidance and how National Claims helps
The SRA’s updated guidance emphasises several critical areas:
Client verification: Solicitors must act on genuine instructions from verified clients and identify potential conflicts of interest. National Claims ensures every claim undergoes rigorous verification processes, backed by our expert compliance team. This safeguards against fraudulent claims and provides solicitors with peace of mind that all client instructions are legitimate.
Partnerships: Law firms must meticulously evaluate claims referred by third parties, ensuring explicit client consent and ethical practices. National Claims’ transparency and ethical practices far exceed the SRA’s requirements. With a five-star TrustPilot rating and decades of industry experience, we’re committed to building rapports and delivering results that drive business growth through personal injury, housing disrepair and medical negligence cases.
Case transfers: When accepting claims, solicitors must exercise due diligence to protect client interests. At National Claims, we work seamlessly with solicitors to manage new claim transfers, ensuring a smooth and supportive process from the very start. Through our internal ‘extra mile promise,’ we help our partners improve client retention by delivering unparalleled support.
We take the time to explain processes and assist clients with signing documentation in a pressure-free environment, fostering strong relationships with claimants. This approach significantly improves outcomes when it comes to repatching. The strength of these client relationships is reflected in our industry-leading case transfer-to-signature conversion rate.
Transparent insurance distribution: Firms involved in arranging insurance must disclose financial relationships with insurers.
Anti-money laundering (AML) compliance: Solicitors are expected to strengthen their AML protocols, including risk assessments, staff training, and monitoring systems.
The SRA’s enhanced focus on due diligence isn’t just about compliance; it’s about preserving the integrity of our profession and ensuring the best outcomes for clients. Solicitors who adapt quickly to these changes will not only avoid regulatory pitfalls, but build stronger relationships and a more resilient business.
The high stakes of non-compliance
Failing to meet the SRA’s rigorous standards is not just a procedural misstep, it’s a risk to your firm’s reputation, finances, and operational viability. Solicitors found in breach of due diligence requirements will face severe penalties, including:
- Fines: Firms will incur substantial fines, which are linked to revenue, making any breach costly
- Reputational damage: Breaches often result in public scrutiny, eroding trust with clients and stakeholders
- Regulatory sanctions: Persistent non-compliance can lead to suspensions or even disqualification
- Litigation risks: Failure to verify claims or manage client relationships properly could expose your firm to costly lawsuits
These consequences underscore the importance of aligning with trusted partners like National Claims, who can help mitigate these risks and safeguard your firm’s future.
National Claims: A partner you, and your clients, can trust
Since the regulatory changes were announced, we’ve heard a few key topics at the front of our partners’ minds, such as:
How and where your leads are generated: National Claims utilises Google and Meta advertising to drive reactive, fully opted-in leads.
Cold calls and unsolicited approaches to members of the public: This isn’t in our business model. National Claims relies solely on reactive leads and ensures full adherence to FCA guidelines.
Clear and transparent communications regarding fees and charges: Our award-winning team is open and honest at every stage of the journey, ensuring a stress-free process from start to finish for claimants.
Misleading or inaccurate statements in marketing materials: Our team prides itself on doing exactly what we say we will, meaning all our content is genuine. Our tireless efforts are evidenced by our five-star rating on TrustPilot.
National Claims isn’t just another claims management company; we’re a team that goes above and beyond at every stage of the process to ensure claims are processed legitimately and efficiently to maximise results, and remove stress, for our partners and clients.
We’re at the forefront of industry innovation, adhering to both SRA and FCA regulations while setting new standards for claims management companies. By partnering with National Claims, your firm can stay ahead of changing landscapes and deliver the most complete service for clients.
As part of the team’s internal ‘extra mile promise’, National Claims’ expert team take on the majority of admin work, which even includes phoning third parties to secure information, to ensure solicitors are able to do what they do best: Securing positive outcomes for people in their time of need.
Our innovative approach, combined with an unwavering commitment to excellence, makes us the ideal partner for solicitors navigating the complexities of the SRA’s guidelines and ensuring high-quality, vetted claimants.
For more information about National Claims, and the award-winning service it provides partners and clients alike, visit https://national-claims.co.uk/.
