SRA Standards and Regulations

Maximum grant

Unless the SRA is satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances in the public interest that justify a higher sum, the maximum grant that may be made is £2 million.

Foreign lawyers

The SRA shall not make a grant in respect of any act or omission of an REL, or the employee of an REL, where such act or omission took place outside the UK, unless the SRA is satisfied that the act or omission was, or was closely connected with, the act or omission of a solicitor or the employee of a solicitor, or that the act or omission was closely connected with the REL's practice in the...

Deduction from grants

The SRA may deduct from any grant such amount as it sees fit so that the applicant will not be in a better position by reason of a grant than the applicant would have been in if no loss had been sustained. The SRA may deduct from any grant such amount as it sees fit to represent monies already recovered, or which will or should have been recovered, by the applicant through other means in...

Application and time limit

An applicant must make an application for a grant in the prescribed form, and within 12 months of the date they first became aware, or should reasonably have become aware, of the loss. The SRA may extend the 12 month period in rule 16.1 if satisfied that there are circumstances which justify the extension of the time limit. The applicant must provide information, documents and evidence...

Application

These rules apply where the SRA is making a decision as to whether it is satisfied regarding your character and suitability: on early assessment under regulation 5.2 of the SRA Authorisation of Individuals Regulations; at admission or restoration to the roll under regulations 1.1, 3.1, 3A.1, 3F.1, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.9 of the SRA Authorisation of Individuals Regulations; on approval as an...

Aggravating and mitigating factors

Table 3 sets out a non-exhaustive list of the types of aggravating and mitigating factors the SRA will take into account where you have disclosed, or it has received, information which raises a question as to your character and suitability. Table 3: Aggravating and mitigating factors Aggravating Factors Mitigating Factors No evidence of successful rehabilitation. No evidence of steps taken to...

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.

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...

Dispute resolution and proceedings before courts, tribunals and inquiries

You do not misuse or tamper with evidence or attempt to do so. You do not seek to influence the substance of evidence, including generating false evidence or persuading witnesses to change their evidence. You do not provide or offer to provide any benefit to witnesses dependent upon the nature of their evidence or the outcome of the case. You only make assertions or put forward statements,...

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. You do not personally hold client money save as permitted under regulation 10.2(b)(vii) of the Authorisation of Individuals Regulations, unless you work in an authorised body, or...