SRA Standards and Regulations

Notice to defaulting practitioner

The SRA may not make a grant unless it has given not less than 8 days' notice to the defaulting practitioner informing them of the nature and value of the application, unless it appears to the SRA that it would not be reasonably practicable to give such notice, or the grant should be made urgently. Where the SRA has made a grant urgently in accordance with rule 16.1, the SRA shall as soon as,...

European Communities (Lawyer’s Practice) Regulations 2000

If you are an REL or you were an REL immediately before the end of IP completion day, you will be eligible for admission as a solicitor under Part V of the European Communities (Lawyer's Practice) Regulations 2000 to the extent that they continue to have effect in accordance with the Services of Lawyers and Lawyer's Practice (Revocation etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, if: you satisfy the...

Taking effect of decisions subject to review or appeal

Unless specified otherwise, subject to rule 6.2, a decision takes effect: if no application for a review or appeal is made, on the expiry of the date for bringing such an application under these rules; and if an application for a review or an appeal is made, on the date any review or appeal has been determined or discontinued. The SRA may direct a decision to take immediate effect, where it...

Transitional provisions

Any approval, authorisation or recognition granted under the Monitoring of Courses Regulations 1991, the SRA Training Regulations 2011, the SRA Higher Rights of Audience Regulations 2011 or the SRA Training Regulations 2014 - Qualification and Provider Regulations, will continue as if granted under these regulations. A period of recognised training entered into before these regulations come...

Vocational stage

Your eligibility to commence the Legal Practice Course will be determined according to the requirements, approved by the SRA, of the relevant authorised education provider. Subject to regulation 3A.2, to complete the vocational stage of training you must complete: the Legal Practice Course; a period of recognised training; and the Professional Skills Course.

Execution of transactions

You must ensure that where you have agreed or decided in your discretion to effect a transaction, you must do so as soon as possible, unless you reasonably believe that it is in the client's best interests not to.

Financial services activities

If you are a solicitor, an REL or RFL you may carry on regulated financial services activities under the SRA Financial Services (Scope) Rules, provided that such activities are undertaken through an authorised body.

Practising on your own

Subject to regulation 10.2, if you are a solicitor or an REL you must not act as a sole practitioner unless your practice is authorised as a recognised sole practice. If you otherwise would be, you will not be regarded as acting as a sole practitioner and you will not therefore need to be authorised as a recognised sole practice if: your practice consists entirely of carrying on activities...

Regulatory and Disciplinary

As set out in the SRA Regulatory and Disciplinary Procedure Rules: A decision made under rule 3.1, save for a decision to make an application to the Tribunal under rule 3.1(g). A decision made under rule 3.2(a) to impose interim conditions. 2A. A decision made under rule 7.2 that a disqualification should remain in force. A decision made under rule 9.2 to publish a decision.

Regulated credit agreements

Where you carry on a credit-related regulated financial services activity involving a proposed regulated credit agreement, you must: provide adequate explanations to the client in order to enable the client to assess whether the proposed regulated credit agreement is suitable to the client's needs and financial situation; and when providing such explanations, comply with the requirements of...