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 of a recognised body or recognised sole practice. A decision made under rule 4.3 to revoke or suspend authorisation of a recognised body or recognised sole practice. A decision made under 3.1 to impose conditions on authorisation of a recognised body or recognised sole practice. A...

Miscellaneous

A refusal to grant permission to a solicitor to employ or remunerate in connection with their practice any individual who to their knowledge has been disqualified from practising as a solicitor as a result of being struck off the roll; or who is suspended from practice as a solicitor; or whose practising certificate is suspended as a result of being an undischarged bankrupt.

Individual Authorisation

As set out in the SRA Authorisation of Individuals Regulations: A decision made under regulation 3E.2(a) to refuse to recognise all or part of a period of recognised training. A decision made under regulation 4.1 to refuse an application for admission as a solicitor made under Part V of the European Communities (Lawyer's Practice) Regulations 2000. A decision made under regulation 5.1 to...

Education, Training and Assessment providers

As set out in the SRA Education, Training and Assessment Provider Regulations: A decision made under regulation 1.4(b) or 2.3(b) to refuse to grant approved education provider, authorised education provider or authorised training provider status. A decision made under regulation 1.4(a) or 2.3(a) to grant the application for approval or authorisation subject to such conditions and for such...

SRA Principles

You act: in a way that upholds the constitutional principle of the rule of law, and the proper administration of justice. in a way that upholds public trust and confidence in the solicitors' profession and in legal services provided by authorised persons. with independence. with honesty. with integrity. in a way that encourages equality, diversity and inclusion. in the best interests of each...

Compliance and business systems

You have effective governance structures, arrangements, systems and controls in place that ensure: you comply with all the SRA's regulatory arrangements, as well as with other regulatory and legislative requirements, which apply to you; your managers and employees comply with the SRA's regulatory arrangements which apply to them; your managers and interest holders and those you employ or...

Cooperation and accountability

You keep up to date with and follow the law and regulation governing the way you work. You cooperate with the SRA, other regulators, ombudsmen and those bodies with a role overseeing and supervising the delivery of, or investigating concerns in relation to, legal services. You respond promptly to the SRA and: provide full and accurate explanations, information and documentation in response to...

Confidentiality and disclosure

You keep the affairs of current and former clients confidential unless disclosure is required or permitted by law or the client consents. Any individual who is acting for a client on a matter makes the client aware of all information material to the matter of which the individual has knowledge except when: the disclosure of the information is prohibited by legal restrictions imposed in the...

Applicable standards in the SRA Code of Conduct for Solicitors, RELs, RFLs and RSLs

The following paragraphs in the SRA Code of Conduct for Solicitors, RELs, RFLs and RSLs apply to you in their entirety as though references to "you" were references to you as a firm: dispute resolution and proceedings before courts, tribunals and inquiries (2.1 to 2.7); referrals, introductions and separate businesses (5.1 to 5.3); and standards which apply when providing services to the...

Compliance officers

If you are a COLP you must take all reasonable steps to: ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of your firm's authorisation; ensure compliance by your firm and its managers, employees or interest holders with the SRA's regulatory arrangements which apply to them; ensure that your firm's managers and interest holders and those they employ or contract with do not cause or substantially...