SRA Standards and Regulations

Firm authorisation

As set out in the SRA Authorisation of Firms Rules: A decision made under rule 2.2 to refuse authorisation as a licensed body. A decision made under rule 3.1 to impose conditions on the authorisation of a licensed body. A decision in respect of a licensed body to refuse approval for the taking of steps specified in conditions under rule 3.3(c). A decision made under rule 4.4 to revoke or...

Regulatory and Disciplinary

As set out in the SRA Regulatory and Disciplinary Procedure Rules: A decision made under rule 3.1(a) to give a written rebuke. A decision made under rule 3.1 (b) to direct the payment of a financial penalty together with the amount of that penalty. A decision made under rule 3.1(c) to disqualify a person from acting as a HOLP, HOFA, manager or employee of a licensed body. A decision made under...

Reasonable adjustments

The Statement of Solicitor Competence and the Functioning Legal Knowledge set out in the SQE1 Assessment Specification and the SQE2 Assessment Specification set out the competences and knowledge which all candidates must achieve to demonstrate their ability to practise. The Threshold Standard sets out the standard which must be achieved to qualify as a Solicitor of England and Wales. All...

Reserved legal activities

Subject to regulations 9.2, 9.3, 9.5 to 9.10 and 10.2(b), if you are a solicitor with a current practising certificate, or an REL, you are entitled to carry on all reserved legal activities except notarial activities. If you are an REL you may only exercise a right of audience before a court, conduct litigation or prepare court documents, in conjunction with a solicitor or barrister who is...

Immigration work

Subject to regulation 9.7, if you are a solicitor, an REL, RFL or RSL you may undertake immigration work, provided that such work is undertaken: through an authorised body; through an authorised non-SRA firm that is a qualified person under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999; as an employee, for your employer or work colleagues; or through a non-commercial advice service which is registered...

Application

Apart from rule 2 (Status Disclosure), these rules apply to: authorised bodies which are not regulated by the FCA; authorised bodies which are regulated by the FCA, but only in respect of their non-mainstream regulated activities; and the managers and employees of authorised bodies in (a) and (b) above, and references to "you" in these rules should be read accordingly. Where an authorised body...

Apportionment and multi-party issues

Where the loss has been sustained as a result of the act or omission of more than one party, the SRA will consider the role of each party in contributing to the applicant's loss in deciding whether to make a grant and, if so, the amount of any grant. In the case of a defaulting licensed body, the SRA will consider the extent to which the loss is attributable to an act or omission which falls...

Cooperation and accountability

You keep up to date with and follow the law and regulation governing the way you work. You are able to justify your decisions and actions in order to demonstrate compliance with your obligations under the SRA's regulatory arrangements. You cooperate with the SRA, other regulators, ombudsmen, and those bodies with a role overseeing and supervising the delivery of, or investigating concerns in...

Passing the SQE

The SQE consists of two parts, SQE1 and SQE2. SQE1 consists of two assessments, FLK1 and FLK2. Both must be passed to pass SQE1. FLK1 and FLK2 must be taken in a single assessment window, except where the candidate: has attempted both FLK1 and FLK2 and, having passed one of these assessments and failed the other, is having a further attempt at the assessment that they failed; has passed...

Payment of Interest

You account to clients or third parties for a fair sum of interest on any client money held by you on their behalf. You may by a written agreement come to a different arrangement with the client or the third party for whom the money is held as to the payment of interest, but you must provide sufficient information to enable them to give informed consent.