More than one-third of solicitors had yet to start renewing their practising certificates online through the mySRA website by Tuesday of this week, the Solicitors Regulation Authority said. The deadline for the first batch of registrations is Monday (13 February).

As the Gazette went to press, the SRA confirmed that 60% had begun an application, with 14% of applications completed and PCs issued.

The majority of applications so far have been from sole practitioners and smaller firms. Numbers are expected to accelerate when larger firms complete their bulk renewals.

SRA chief executive Antony Townsend apologised again for difficulties in using the online process, which some solicitors have complained is slow or not working at all. But a spokesman for the SRA said there are no plans for concessions on the renewal timescale.

Solicitors yet to complete the process are being urged to act quickly. Firms and individuals whose full name begins with A-D have until 13 February to renew. Those in band E-Z have until 21 February.

Any solicitors suffering delays during the process, particularly when inputting security details, are asked to call the SRA.