About

A former practising solicitor, Andy is renowned for his compliance expertise. He was one of the authors of the current SRA Handbook and was formerly the manager of the SRA’s Legal Policy, Advice and Information team (Legal and Enforcement). During his seven years with the SRA Andy delivered a number of core training modules to hundreds of SRA colleagues as well as training Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal members, the SRA’s panel of solicitors and lawyers across the country. Andy is a contributor to the ‘Law of Legal Services‘ published by Jordan publishing. In addition to advising and writing extensively on compliance while with the SRA Andy also led a review of the SRA’s information security and information management standards.

Prior to joining the SRA Andy worked in civil litigation in private practice for a little under 6 years. Outside of the Compliance Office Andy also holds a fee-paid judicial post, sits on fitness to practise hearings for the General Medical Council’s Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service and is a Board Member of Cilex Regulation.

 View Andrew Donovan’s profile

Andy brings with him a broad compliance expertise and particular strengths in the following areas:

• core ethical principles and SRA Code of Conduct generally: Andy was a contributor to both the SRA principles and the SRA Code of Conduct but also has years of practical experience of their application in regulatory and enforcement work;

• referral arrangements and the LASPO ban: Andy is the co-author of the SRA’s guidance on the LASPO ban as well as chapter 9 of the SRA Code of Conduct on referral arrangements. A referrals expert, Andy has provided guidance and advice on countless referral arrangements over the years;

• ABSs (Schedule 13 of the Legal Services Act in particular): Andy is the author of the SRA’s ‘material interest’ guidance and ABS decision making criteria. While with the SRA Andy was the acknowledged expert on the rules on external investment in law firms and was responsible for training and advising SRA staff on ABSs and Schedule 13;

• overseas lawyers and legal practice: Andy is the co-author of the SRA’s REL and RFL guidance booklets and during his time at the SRA chaired the European and Regulatory Issues Group, was a member of the working group reviewing overseas practice and provided advice and guidance on many aspects of overseas practice;

• Data Protection and information security: Andy has significant experience of data protection compliance and led of review of information security standards for SRA staff among other things.

• marketing and communication;
• web design and usability;
• coaching for business and improved performance.