Outcomes agreed with solicitors
We are able to enter into agreements with solicitors. Agreements are regulatory decisions made by us, the terms of which are accepted by the solicitor. They are not the equivalent of settlement of a commercial dispute. Agreements may include, among other things, an agreement that a disciplinary sanction be imposed by us.
Our policy statement on settlement of regulatory and disciplinary cases provides for two types of agreement:
- Settlement agreement – this amounts to a settlement of our investigation.
- Issue agreement – this provides for agreement of a particular issue without concluding the investigation.
We consider that solicitors who materially breach an agreement become guilty of professional misconduct.
We may publish agreements, unless otherwise stated in the agreement.