SRA Standards and Regulations

Application

These rules apply to authorised bodies that are not regulated by the FCA, their managers and employees and references to "you" in these rules should be read accordingly. Where an authorised body is a licensed body, these rules apply only in relation to the activities regulated by the SRA in accordance with the terms of the body's licence.

Decisions by the Society

The Society shall have power to treat any person as complying with any provision of these Rules for the purposes of the SA notwithstanding that the person has failed to comply with any provision of these Rules where such non-compliance is regarded by the Society in a particular case or cases as being insignificant.

Indemnity limit

Save in relation to an expired run-off claim, in respect of which the provisions of Rule 8.5 shall apply, the indemnity limit shall be £1,000,000 each and every claim (including claimants' costs).

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...

Determination of applications

If the SRA considers it to be in the public interest to do so, it must: refuse your application for a practising certificate, or your application for registration or renewal of registration, in the register of European lawyers, the register of foreign lawyers, or the register of Swiss lawyers; or at any time, whether on grant of such an application or at the end of a period of suspension of a...

Practising on your own

Subject to regulation 10.2, if you are a solicitor or an REL you must not act as a sole practitioner unless your practice is authorised as a recognised sole practice. If you otherwise would be, you will not be regarded as acting as a sole practitioner and you will not therefore need to be authorised as a recognised sole practice if: your practice consists entirely of carrying on activities...

Application for admission

You may apply for admission in writing in the prescribed form. Following an application for admission, the SRA will issue you with a certificate of satisfaction if it is satisfied that you have met the eligibility requirements for admission as a solicitor set out in this Part. At any time before making an application for admission, you may apply to the SRA for an early assessment of your...

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...

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...