SRA Standards and Regulations

Service and competence

You only act for clients on instructions from the client, or from someone properly authorised to provide instructions on their behalf. If you have reason to suspect that the instructions do not represent your client's wishes, you do not act unless you have satisfied yourself that they do. However, in circumstances where you have legal authority to act notwithstanding that it is not possible to...

Power to conduct a review

The SRA may: where an administrative error in, or in relation to any decision comes to the SRA's attention, correct the error without the need to undergo a review under this Part; review all or part of any regulatory decision reached by it, of its own initiative, under this Part. Subject to rule 3.3, the SRA may review all or part of any of the regulatory decisions set out in annex 1 on the...

Decisions on review

A review will usually be determined by an authorised decision maker on consideration of written evidence alone. An adjudicator may at their sole discretion invite the relevant person to be interviewed by an authorised decision maker accompanied by their representative (if any). Subject to rule 4.3, on a review (save for a review of a decision made under rule 3.1(h) of the SRA Regulatory and...

Appeals to the High Court or Tribunal

Unless otherwise provided in the relevant statute, or rules of the Tribunal, court or of the Legal Services Board, any appeal to the High Court or Tribunal against a decision set out in annex 2 or 3, as appropriate, must be commenced within the period of 28 days from the date of notification of the decision that is subject to appeal.

Firm authorisation

As set out in the SRA Authorisation of Firms Rules: A decision made under rule 2.2 to refuse authorisation as a licensed body. A decision made under rule 3.1 to impose conditions on the authorisation of a licensed body. A decision in respect of a licensed body to refuse approval for the taking of steps specified in conditions under rule 3.3(c). A decision made under rule 4.4 to revoke or...

Miscellaneous

A refusal to grant permission to a solicitor to employ or remunerate in connection with their practice any individual who to their knowledge has been disqualified from practising as a solicitor as a result of being struck off the roll; or who is suspended from practice as a solicitor; or whose practising certificate is suspended as a result of being an undischarged bankrupt.

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...

Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) Regulations 2023

If you are an Swiss lawyer, you will be eligible for admission as a solicitor under Part 2 of The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (as amended) if: you satisfy the requirements of those regulations; and the SRA is satisfied as to your character and suitability to be a solicitor.

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...

Higher rights of audience

If you are a solicitor or an REL you may exercise civil or criminal advocacy in the higher courts if the SRA is satisfied you have successfully and satisfactorily completed the appropriate higher courts advocacy qualification and that you have done so after the date of your admission as a solicitor or initial registration as an REL, or you are: an REL or lawyer to whom the European Union...