SRA Handbook

Character and suitability of prospective solicitors

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Version 9 of the Handbook was published on 01/04/2014. For more information, please click 'History' Above

Regulation 7: Character and suitability of prospective solicitors

7.1

If we have granted you a QLTS certificate of eligibility under regulation 2, and at any time we are not satisfied as to your character and suitability to become a solicitor, we may on such terms as we determine prohibit any attempt at any or all of the QLTS assessments.

7.2

If we impose a prohibition under regulation 7.1, you may within one month of receiving notification or deemed notification from us of our decision, ask for the matter to be reviewed.

7.3

If you have been authorised to apply other than pursuant to Directive 2005/36/EC, you have the right to appeal to the High Court under regulation 3 of the SRA Admission Regulations within three months of receiving notification or deemed notification from us of our decision on a review under regulation 7.2.

7.4

If you have been authorised to apply pursuant to Directive 2005/36/EC, and we:

(a)

prohibit any attempt at any or all of the QLTS assessments under regulation 7.1; or

(b)

refuse to lift that prohibition on your application for review;

you have the right, within four months of receiving notification or deemed notification of our decision, to appeal to the High Court under regulation 36 of the European Communities (Recognition of Professional Qualifications) Regulations 2007.

7.5

You may make up to three applications to us to remove a prohibition after intervals of not less than 12 months from the final determination as to the imposition of the prohibition, or from the final determination of your previous application for review, as the case may be.

7.6

You have the right to appeal to the High Court under regulation 3 of the SRA Admission Regulations within three months of receiving notification or deemed notification from us of our decision on an application for the removal of a prohibition under 7.5.

Guidance note

(i)

For further information please consult the Suitability Test.

(ii)

For deemed notification guidance, please see the guidance note under regulation 6.