SRA Handbook

Information and documentation

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Version 10 of the Handbook was published on 01/07/2014. For more information, please click 'History' Above

Rule 18: Information and documentation

18.1

An authorised body must supply any information and documentation relating to its composition and structure or to any of its managers, employees, members or shareowners, as and when requested to do so by the SRA.

18.2

Notwithstanding any requirement to obtain approval of a manager, owner, COLP or COFA under Part 4 of the SRA Authorisation Rules, an authorised body must notify the SRA within seven days of any change to its:

(a)

name;

(b)

registered office and/or any of its practising addresses;

(c)

managers ;

(d)

interest holders , if it is a recognised body, and in the case of a recognised body which is a company, this includes members and shareowners;

(e)

owners , if it is a licensed body, and in the case of a licensed body which is a company, this includes members and shareowners;

(f)

COLP ;

(g)

COFA ; or

(h)

overseas practices , including any contact details and practising/registered addresses of its overseas practices.

18.3

An authorised body must notify the SRA within seven days if it is an unlimited company and it is re-registered as limited under the Companies Acts.

18.4

If a relevant insolvency event occurs in relation to an authorised body its managers, or in the case of an authorised body which is an overseas company, its directors, must notify the SRA within seven days.

Guidance notes

(i)

There are other SRA reporting and information requirements that apply to individuals or firms. See for example:

(a)

Rules 3, 8.7, 8.8, 8.9 and 8.10 and 18, 23, 24 and 25 of the SRA Authorisation Rules

(b)

Rule 32 of the SRA Accounts Rules

(c)

Regulations 1.2, 4.3, 4.5, 4.8, 4.12, 4.13 and 15 of the SRA Practising Regulations

(d)

Chapter 10 of the SRA Code of Conduct

(e)

Rule 17.3 of the SRA Indemnity Insurance Rules 2013 or any subsequent rules thereto.

(ii)

In addition to the requirement to inform the SRA when certain persons leave the firm, there are the requirements in Rule 8 of the SRA Authorisation Rules for firms to seek approval, where necessary, before certain persons join the firm. This is more onerous than simply informing the SRA of changes that have taken place.