Introduction to Specialist Services

Introduction to Specialist Services forms part of Edition 2 of the Handbook, which was published and came into effect on 23 December 2011. Introduction to Specialist Services was previously published as part of Edition 1 of the Handbook, which came into effect on 6 October 2011, unless otherwise noted.

Introduction to Specialist Services

This section of the Handbook contains the following rules which apply when you provide certain specialist services to your clients:

  • SRA Property Selling Rules - these apply when you provide property selling services through your law firm; and
  • SRA Financial Services (Scope) Rules and the SRA Financial Services (Conduct of Business) Rules - these apply when you are not authorised by the Financial Services Authority and carry on exempt regulated activities for your clients.
  • SRA European Cross-border Practice Rules - these apply to your European cross-border practice;

These rules must be read in conjunction with the Principles. The Principles apply to all aspects of practice, including your European cross-border practice and the provision of property selling and financial services.

The desired outcomes that apply to these specialist services are that

  • clients receive a proper standard of service, and are treated fairly, when they purchase specialist services;
  • you uphold the reputation of the legal profession in England and Wales by co-operating with European lawyers in the spirit of the CCBE Code;
  • you maintain trust in the legal profession by providing estate agency services in the spirit of the legislation governing estate agents; and
  • your financial services are provided to the same standard as required by the Financial Services Authority and in a manner that maintains confidence in the legal profession.