Residual client balances

When client funds remain unclaimed after the closure of a client matter, certain measures need to be taken before releasing the funds other than to the client. This practice note provides an overview of the requirements for firms and offers practical guidance for dealing with residual client balances.

04 Sep 2025

9 minutes read

This practice note may be subject to revision following the outcome of the Solicitors Regulation Authority's (SRA) 2025 consultation on client money in legal services, which considers changes to how residual balances and third-party managed accounts (TPMAs) are treated.

You should monitor for updates during the next review cycle.

This practice note includes advice on:

the rules relating to residual client balances
steps to take to return funds to clients
what to do when the client cannot be traced

The practice note is relevant to all law firms and sole practitioners authorised by the SRA.

It is also relevant to individual solicitors, registered European lawyers (RELs) and registered foreign lawyers (RFLs), wherever they practise, to the extent they are holding client money.

The SRA Standards and Regulations 2019 replaced the SRA Handbook from 25 November 2019.

This practice note is the Law Society’s view of good practice in this area, and is not legal advice. For more information see the legal status.

Introduction

Who should read this practice note?

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Practice notes represent the Law Society’s view of good practice in a particular area. They are not intended to be the only standard of good practice that solicitors can follow. You are not required to follow them but doing so will make it easier to account to oversight bodies for your actions.

Practice notes are not legal advice, and do not necessarily provide a defence to complaints of misconduct or poor service. While we have taken care to ensure that they are accurate, up to date and useful, we will not accept any legal liability in relation to them.

For queries or comments on this practice note contact our Practice Advice Service.

SRA Principles

There are seven mandatory principles in the SRA Standards and Regulations which apply to all aspects of practice. The principles apply to all authorised individuals (solicitors, registered European lawyers and registered foreign lawyers), authorised firms and their managers and employees, and to the delivery of regulated services within licensed bodies.

Must – a requirement in legislation or a requirement of a principle, rule, regulation or other mandatory provision in the SRA Standards and Regulations. You must comply, unless there are specific exemptions or defences provided for in relevant legislation or regulations.

Should – outside of a regulatory context, good practice, in our view, for most situations. In the case of the SRA Standards and Regulations, a non-mandatory provision, such as may be set out in notes or guidance.

These may not be the only means of complying with legislative or regulatory requirements and there may be situations where the suggested route is not the best route to meet the needs of a particular client. However, if you do not follow the suggested route, you should be able to justify to oversight bodies why your alternative approach is appropriate, either for your practice, or in the particular retainer.

May – an option for meeting your obligations or running your practice. Other options may be available and which option you choose is determined by the nature of the individual practice, client or retainer. You may be required to justify why this was an appropriate option to oversight bodies.