The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has responded to criticism over its prosecution of a junior lawyer who was struck off for lying about losing a briefcase, stating that its handling was “appropriate”.

In a letter to a body representing junior solicitors, Paul Philip, the chief executive of the U.K. industry regulator, rebuffed criticism of its decision to prosecute former Capsticks solicitor Claire Matthews, who also lost her license to practice law.