SRA Standards and Regulations

Exclusions for large risks

Only rules 9, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20 and 22 apply where you carry on insurance distribution activities for commercial clients in relation to contracts of insurance covering risks within the following categories: railway rolling stock, aircraft, ships (sea, lake, river and canal vessels), goods in transit, aircraft liability and liability of ships (sea, lake, river and canal vessels); credit and...

SRA Minimum Terms and Conditions of Professional Indemnity Insurance

1. Scope of cover Civil liability Subject to the limits in clause 2, the insurance must indemnify each insured against civil liability to the extent that it arises from private legal practice in connection with the insured firm's practice, (including its prior practice and (unless run-off cover is provided in accordance with clause 5.3) any successor practice) provided that a claim in respect...

Assessing reports

The SRA shall assess any allegation which comes to, or is brought to, its attention in respect of a relevant person to decide if it should be considered under rule 3. A matter is an allegation in respect of a person for the purpose of these rules if it raises a question that the person: is a solicitor, an REL, RFL or RSL and has committed professional misconduct; has committed or is...

Evidential and procedural matters

The SRA may vary the procedure set out in these rules where it considers that it is in the interests of justice, or in the overriding public interest, to do so. A decision under rule 3 may be made by agreement between the relevant person and the SRA. Before reaching a decision under rule 3, an authorised decision maker or adjudication panel may give directions for the fair and effective...

Fixed financial penalties

Where the SRA has evidence that a relevant person has committed one or more of the breaches listed in rule 11.2, it may notify them and will: set out the allegation and the facts in support, accompanied by any evidence or documentation that the SRA considers to be relevant to the allegation; require the relevant person to remedy any specified breaches and provide evidence of the action taken...

Referrals, introductions and separate businesses

In respect of any referral of a client by you to another person, or of any third party who introduces business to you or with whom you share your fees, you ensure that: clients are informed of any financial or other interest which you or your business or employer has in referring the client to another person or which an introducer has in referring the client to you; clients are informed of any...

Other business requirements

You must not be a manager, employee, member or interest holder of a business that: has a name which includes the word "solicitors"; or describes its work in a way that suggests it is a solicitors' firm; unless it is an authorised body. If you are a solicitor who holds a practising certificate, an REL, RFL or RSL, you must complete and deliver to the SRA an annual return in the prescribed form....

Responsibility

Each authorised body, and any principal of such a body, must ensure that the authorised body complies with these rules. Each authorised body that has been unable to obtain a policy of qualifying insurance prior to the expiration of the extended policy period, and any principal of such a body, must ensure that the authorised body, and each principal or employee of the body, undertakes no...

Client money and assets

You properly account to clients for any financial benefit you receive as a result of their instructions, except where they have agreed otherwise. You safeguard money and assets entrusted to you by clients and others.

Managers in SRA authorised firms

If you are a manager, you are responsible for compliance by your firm with this Code. This responsibility is joint and several if you share management responsibility with other managers of the firm.