SRA Handbook

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Version 15 of the Handbook was published on 01/11/2015. For more information, please click 'History' Above

Regulation 7: Character and suitability of prospective solicitors

1.1

As required by regulation 2.1(d), If we have granted you must satisfy usa QLTS certificate of eligibility under regulation 2, and at any time we are not satisfied as to your character and suitability to bebecome a solicitor before we admit, we may on such terms as we determine prohibit any attempt at any or all of the QLTS assessments.

7.1

If we impose a prohibition under regulation 7.1, you to the roll.may within one month of receiving notification or deemed notification from us of our decision, ask for the matter to be reviewed.

7.2

You must apply to us for admission in writing in the prescribed form and support your application with such evidence as we consider necessary.

7.3

You may ask us to assess any issue which may cause you not to meet the outcomes of the SRA Suitability Test before commencement of the QLTS assessments . Such determinations will not prejudice our ability to take all relevant factors into account when a subsequent admission decision is taken, including the facts giving rise to the earlier determination.

1.1

We may determine on the grounds of your character and suitability that you are not eligible If you have been authorised to apply other than pursuant to Directive 2005/36/EC, you have the right to appeal to the High Court under regulation 3 of the SRA Admission Regulations within three months of receiving notification or deemed notification from us of our decision on a review under regulation 7.2.

If you have been authorised to apply pursuant to Directive 2005/36/EC, and we:

prohibit any attempt at any or all of the QLTS assessments under regulation 7.1; or

(a)

refuse to lift that prohibition on your application for admission, and refuse your application. review;

you have the right, within four months of receiving notification or deemed notification of our decision, to appeal to the High Court under regulation 36 of the European Communities (Recognition of Professional Qualifications) Regulations 2007.

7.4

You may make up to three further applications for eligibility to be admitted where there has been a material changes in circumstancesto us to remove a prohibition after intervals of not less than 12 months from the final determination as to the imposition of the prohibition, or from the final determination of your previous application for review, as the case may be.

7.5

Regulation 6.1 of these regulations gives you the right to ask us to review a refusal under regulation 7.4. You also You have the right to appeal to the High Court under regulation 3 of the SRA Admission Regulations against our decision to refuse to admit you as a solicitor on the ground of suitabilitywithin three months of receiving notification or deemed notification from us of our decision on an application for the removal of a prohibition under 7.5.

Guidance note

(i)

For further information please consult the SRA Suitability Test.

For deemed notification guidance, please see the guidance note under regulation 6.