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By Sally Jones

30th April 2026

Law firms to register as tax advisers with HMRC under new rules

Anyone who interacts with HMRC on a client’s behalf must register with HMRC as a tax adviser from 18 May 2026 – including law firms, in-house tax teams, family offices and possibly barristers' chambers.

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People talking

By Gary Rowson

29th April 2026

Becoming a freelance solicitor in England and Wales: Requirements, benefits and tax considerations of going solo

Lawyers are increasingly looking for greater flexibility in their working lives. Many have joined the fee-share consultancy models, others would prefer to set up by themselves, but do not necessarily want the regulatory burden of fully recognised law firms.

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law firm sale

By Jonathan Lewis

20th April 2026

Preparing your law firm for sale: Timeline, valuation and exit options

Considering the sale of your law firm can be a daunting prospect. The number one piece of advice that most people will give you is: allow yourself enough time to prepare.

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the law interview

By Armstrong Watson

16th April 2026

An interview with…Paul Bennett, Solicitor and Partner at legal sector specialist solicitors, Bennett Briegal LLP

Paul Bennett is a specialist solicitor advising law firms on partnership, professional discipline, and compliance. He spoke to Andy Poole about the regulatory landscape for law firms in 2026, the lessons from a landmark case on supervision, and why records may be a firm’s most important asset.

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By Gary Rowson

28th March 2026

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: What it means for solicitors

From 6 April 2026, self-employed, sole-practitioner solicitors will need to report their income to HMRC under Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax, requiring you to keep digital records and submit quarterly updates using compatible software.

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MTD

By Sally Jones

20th March 2026

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: What It Means for Barristers (April 2026)

From 6 April 2026, the way self-employed barristers report their income will undergo a major transformation under Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self-Assessment (MTD for ITSA). This represents the biggest change to barristers’ tax compliance since the introduction of Self-Assessment in 1996/97, requiring digital record-keeping and quarterly submissions for those over certain income thresholds.

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Legal sector

By Huw Nicholls

10th February 2026

Ministry of Justice proposes significant reforms to lawyers' client account interest

Last year, the SRA consulted on the future of client money. Whilst significant changes to firms’ ability to hold client money have been paused (for now), the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has now launched its own consultation on a scheme intended to raise funds through a portion of the interest earned on client money.

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law books

By Armstrong Watson

9th February 2026

Law firm benchmarking review 2024//2025 provides positive findings

As part of our annual accounts and tax compliance service, we provide all of our law firm clients with a bespoke benchmarking report for their practice, which analyses their financial performance for the year and compares it with similar firms. It forms a core element of our added value offering, and clients consistently find it extremely helpful when reviewing their annual accounts.

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By Sally Jones

6th February 2026

Bank interest and partial exemption – A new VAT risk for law firms?

Recent increases in interest rates have led many professional services firms to earn more interest on client funds held in deposit accounts. As bank interest may be treated as a VAT-exempt supply, law firms and other businesses with significant interest income should assess whether this additional income affects their ability to recover VAT on overhead costs under the partial exemption rules.

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legal sector

By Huw Nicholls

2nd February 2026

Planning for and completing an Accountant’s Report: Key recommendations for law firms

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has produced guidance to assist in the planning and completion of an Accountant’s Report. The SRA recommends that this is not just read by reporting accountants but by law firms too. From a law firm perspective, the guidance helps firms understand what procedures will ensure client money is properly safeguarded, and what factors might lead to a reporting accountant qualifying their report.

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