SRA Standards and Regulations

Reserved legal activities

Subject to regulations 9.2, 9.3, 9.5 to 9.10 and 10.2(b), if you are a solicitor with a current practising certificate, or an REL, you are entitled to carry on all reserved legal activities except notarial activities. If you are an REL you may only exercise a right of audience before a court, conduct litigation or prepare court documents, in conjunction with a solicitor or barrister who is...

Immigration work

Subject to regulation 9.7, if you are a solicitor, an REL, RFL or RSL you may undertake immigration work, provided that such work is undertaken: through an authorised body; through an authorised non-SRA firm that is a qualified person under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999; as an employee, for your employer or work colleagues; or through a non-commercial advice service which is registered...

Recognised training

In order to satisfactorily complete your period of recognised training, you must maintain a record of training which: contains details of the work you have performed; records how you have applied and developed the skills, as set out in the Practice Skills Standards; records your reflections on, and your training principal's appraisal of, your performance and development against, and your...

Eligibility for admission of qualified lawyers

You will be eligible for admission as a solicitor if the SRA is satisfied: you hold a legal professional qualification that is recognised by the SRA, which confers rights to practise in England and Wales or in an overseas jurisdiction; and subject to regulation 3.2, you meet the criteria in regulation 1.1(a), (b),(d) and (e). Subject to regulation 3.3, if you hold a qualification recognised...

Maintaining trust and acting fairly

You do not unfairly discriminate by allowing your personal views to affect your professional relationships and the way in which you provide your services. You do not abuse your position by taking unfair advantage of clients or others. You perform all undertakings given by you, and do so within an agreed timescale or if no timescale has been agreed then within a reasonable amount of time. You...

Cooperation and accountability

You keep up to date with and follow the law and regulation governing the way you work. You are able to justify your decisions and actions in order to demonstrate compliance with your obligations under the SRA's regulatory arrangements. You cooperate with the SRA, other regulators, ombudsmen, and those bodies with a role overseeing and supervising the delivery of, or investigating concerns in...

Complaints handling

You ensure that, as appropriate in the circumstances, you either establish and maintain, or participate in, a procedure for handling complaints in relation to the legal services you provide. You ensure that clients are informed in writing at the time of engagement about: their right to complain to you about your services and your charges; how a complaint can be made and to whom; and any right...

Client information and publicity

You give clients information in a way they can understand. You ensure they are in a position to make informed decisions about the services they need, how their matter will be handled and the options available to them. You ensure that clients receive the best possible information about how their matter will be priced and, both at the time of engagement and when appropriate as their matter...

Withdrawals from client account

You only withdraw client money from a client account: for the purpose for which it is being held; following receipt of instructions from the client, or the third party for whom the money is held; or on the SRA's prior written authorisation or in prescribed circumstances. You appropriately authorise and supervise all withdrawals made from a client account. You only withdraw client money from a...

Operation of joint accounts

If, when acting in a client's matter, you hold or receive money jointly with the client or a third party, Part 2 of these rules does not apply save for: rule 8.2 - statements from banks, building societies and other financial institutions; rule 8.4 - bills and notifications of costs.