SRA Standards and Regulations

European Communities (Lawyer’s Practice) Regulations 2000

If you are an REL or you were an REL immediately before the end of IP completion day, you will be eligible for admission as a solicitor under Part V of the European Communities (Lawyer's Practice) Regulations 2000 to the extent that they continue to have effect in accordance with the Services of Lawyers and Lawyer's Practice (Revocation etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, if: you satisfy the...

Retention

If you are a solicitor and you do not hold a practising certificate the SRA will write to you once a year at the last notified version of your postal or email address to ask you whether you wish your name to remain on the roll. If, following an enquiry under regulation 5.4, you wish your name to remain on the roll, you shall be required to pay a fee of £20.

Vocational stage

Your eligibility to commence the Legal Practice Course will be determined according to the requirements, approved by the SRA, of the relevant authorised education provider. Subject to regulation 3A.2, to complete the vocational stage of training you must complete: the Legal Practice Course; a period of recognised training; and the Professional Skills Course.

Commencement, revocation, and transitional provisions

Regulations 1.1 to 3.3 come into force on a date to be determined in an order made by the SRA Board. [Note: this date is 1 September 2021] Regulation 4.2 to come into force on a date to be determined in an order made by the SRA Board. Subject to regulations 11.3 to 11.7, regulations 3A.1 to 3F.4 shall be revoked on the date determined in accordance with regulation 11.1. Regulations 3A.1 to...

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...

Higher rights of audience

If you are a solicitor or an REL you may exercise civil or criminal advocacy in the higher courts if the SRA is satisfied you have successfully and satisfactorily completed the appropriate higher courts advocacy qualification and that you have done so after the date of your admission as a solicitor or initial registration as an REL, or you are: an REL or lawyer to whom the European Union...

Individual authorisation

As set out in the SRA Authorisation of Individuals Regulations: A decision made under regulation 1.1(b) not to be satisfied that an individual holds a degree or qualifications or experience which are equivalent to a degree. A decision made under regulation 3.1(a) not to be satisfied that an individual holds a legal professional qualification that is recognised by the SRA, which confers rights...

Decisions on review

A review will usually be determined by an authorised decision maker on consideration of written evidence alone. An adjudicator may at their sole discretion invite the relevant person to be interviewed by an authorised decision maker accompanied by their representative (if any). Subject to rule 4.3, on a review (save for a review of a decision made under rule 3.1(h) of the SRA Regulatory and...

Firm authorisation

As set out in the SRA Authorisation of Firms Rules: A decision made under rule 2.2 to refuse authorisation. A decision made under rule 3.1 to impose conditions on authorisation. A decision to refuse approval for the taking of steps specified in conditions under rule 3.3(c). A decision under rule 4.3 or 4.4 to revoke or suspend a body's authorisation. A decision made under rule 12.1 to extend,...

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...