The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has today launched an online service that will make it quicker and easier for students to enrol with it when they begin their legal professional training.

The system will also enable students to pay their enrolment fee securely online by credit or debit card.

Today’s launch is the first step towards moving the entire SRA-regulated community to an online registration system, with other law professionals able to create their own accounts from July 2011.

SRA director of transformation Marc Baker said: ‘The new tool is designed to improve the way we communicate with our community.

'It will save solicitors and students time by reducing paper-based form filling, and make the whole process of engaging with the regulator easier.

'Other UK regulatory bodies already have online registration systems that have proved successful.

‘This initiative demonstrates that the SRA is serious about improving the standard of service we provide.

'We have consulted widely and the feedback has been very positive.’

For more information go to the SRA site.