The SRA Handbook is no longer in effect. It was replaced by the SRA Standards and Regulations on 25 November 2019.

SRA Handbook

General

Back to version 21

Version 12 of the Handbook was published on 31/10/2014. For more information, please click 'History' Above

Part 1: General

Rule 1: Purpose

1.1

The purpose of these rules is to set the standard for professional conduct in the context of European cross-border practice.

Rule 2: Application

2.1

In these rules:

(a)

European cross-border practice means:

(i)

professional activity in a CCBE state other than the UK, whether or not you are physically present in that CCBE state; and

(ii)

any professional contact with a lawyer of a CCBE state other than the UK.

(b)

Professional contacts and professional activities taking place within a firm or in-house legal department do not constitute European cross-border practice.

2.2

These rules apply to European cross-border practice from any office by:

(a)

solicitors ;

(b)

managers of authorised bodies who are lawyers of England and Wales;

(c)

non-lawyer  managers of authorised bodies;

(d)

managers of authorised bodies who are registered with the Bar Standards Board under the Establishment Directive; and

(e)

authorised bodies .

2.3

These rules also apply to European cross-border practice from an office in England and Wales by:

(a)

RELs ; and

(b)

any RFL who is a manager or an employee of an authorised body.