The BBC has exposed a network of “sham lawyers” who manipulate asylum claims to exploit the legal process. Shabana Mahmood responded to the investigation by promising a crackdown on those abusing the asylum system. The government’s focus is on removing practitioners who operate outside the law while claiming professional status.
How the SRA will target misconduct
Jonathan Peddie, the SRA’s executive director of investigations, enforcement and litigation, said the regulator will take action against anyone found contravening their duty to act legally. He manages the effort to ensure that those who fail to uphold the law don’t maintain their professional standing.
The SRA’s approach centers on a strict interpretation of professional duties. If evidence emerges that a lawyer has misled the courts or asylum authorities, the regulator’s enforcement arm can strip them of their license.
The SRA has already intervened in similar fraud cases
This push against sham practitioners follows a period of aggressive intervention by the regulator. In February 2026, the SRA intervened in the Sheffield-based firm PM Law Ltd after discovering potential fraud and the misappropriation of client money.
The regulator took possession of all files and funds through an intervention agent, Gordons LLP. The SRA noted a strong public interest in that case due to the significant impact on clients.
When the regulator dealt with previous systemic failures, it prioritized emergency grants to clients who’d already exchanged contracts on houses. This established a precedent for rapid financial recovery when firms collapse under fraud investigations.
Continued scrutiny of the asylum legal sector may lead to more sudden closures of firms. The SRA could share more information with law enforcement agencies to secure criminal convictions.
What action will the SRA take against these lawyers?
The SRA will take action if they find evidence that a regulated professional has acted in ways that contravene their duty to act legally and uphold the law.
