Yes, if the proposals go ahead. On 8 October 2026 the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) opened a consultation that would add references to technology and AI in three parts of the Statement of Solicitor Competence: ethics, research and drafting, and supervision. The consultation closes at 23.59 on 3 December 2026.
The Statement of Solicitor Competence is the SRA's description of what solicitors need to be able to do to deliver competent legal services. The SRA says it applies "throughout their careers from the point of qualification".
What would change for technology and AI?
The SRA's current view is that a standalone technology competence is not necessary. Instead, it proposes adding technology and AI in three areas:
- Ethics, professionalism and judgment, in keeping up the competence and knowledge to practise effectively, taking into account developments in technology including AI.
- Technical legal practice, in research and drafting, to address concerns about AI hallucinations in legal work and submissions to the court.
- Supervision, where the consultation says competence "rests not only with solicitors using technology and AI in legal practice, but with solicitors who supervise or manage others and have oversight and responsibility for work being done including the use of technology and AI."
Why would supervision get its own section?
The SRA says the Court of Appeal's judgment in Mazur "has put a spotlight on the importance of supervision", and that stakeholders suggested the competences needed to supervise others are not adequately reflected in the statement, particularly oversight of the use of technology and AI. It proposes a separate section on supervising others, aligned to its Effective Supervision guidance.
Does this change the SRA's rules?
The SRA says not: "We are not seeking a change to rules or regulatory arrangements." Its Standards and Regulations, including the Codes of Conduct, remain "the binding rules that dictate professional behaviour". Solicitors also use the competence statement when they assess their own continuing competence.
When would the changes take effect?
The SRA plans to publish its response and the final statement in April 2027. Any changes would take effect in September 2027, ahead of SQE1 assessments in January 2028.
Who can respond to the consultation?
The SRA says it welcomes views from all interested stakeholders, and its online questionnaire is the main way to respond. It will publish and attribute responses unless the respondent asks it not to.
Margo Legal is not a law firm and does not give legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is the SRA adding a new AI competence for solicitors?
Not on the current proposals. The SRA's current view is that a standalone technology competence is not necessary. It proposes adding technology and AI to the competences on ethics, research and drafting, and supervision.
When does the SRA competence consultation close?
At 23.59 on 3 December 2026. The SRA plans to publish the final Statement of Solicitor Competence in April 2027, with any changes taking effect in September 2027.
Does the competence statement change the SRA's rules?
The SRA says it is not seeking a change to rules or regulatory arrangements. The Standards and Regulations, including the Codes of Conduct, remain the binding rules.
Sources
- SRA, "Review of the Statement of Solicitor Competence and the SQE Functioning Legal Knowledge", consultation, 8 October 2026: https://www.sra.org.uk/sra/consultations/consultation-listing/review-competence/
- SRA, "SRA seeks views on updates to solicitor competence framework", news release, 8 October 2026: https://www.sra.org.uk/news/news/releases/competence-framework/