SRA Standards and Regulations

SRA Principles

You act: in a way that upholds the constitutional principle of the rule of law, and the proper administration of justice. in a way that upholds public trust and confidence in the solicitors' profession and in legal services provided by authorised persons. with independence. with honesty. with integrity. in a way that encourages equality, diversity and inclusion. in the best interests of each...

SRA Principles

You act: in a way that upholds the constitutional principle of the rule of law, and the proper administration of justice. in a way that upholds public trust and confidence in the solicitors' profession and in legal services provided by authorised persons. with independence. with honesty. with integrity. in a way that encourages equality, diversity and inclusion. in the best interests of each...

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...

Qualifying work experience

Qualifying work experience must: comprise experience of providing legal services which provides you the opportunity to develop the prescribed competences for solicitors; be of a duration of a total of at least two years' full time or equivalent; and be carried out under an arrangement or employment with no more than four separate firms, educational institutions or other organisations. In...

Eligibility requirements

You will be eligible for admission as a solicitor if the SRA is satisfied: you have successfully and satisfactorily completed: an apprenticeship leading to qualification as a solicitor; or the academic stage of training and the vocational stage of training; and as to your character and suitability to be a solicitor. The SRA may decide that it is satisfied that you have completed all or any...

Academic stage

Your eligibility to commence the academic stage of training will be determined according to the requirements, which may be approved by the SRA, of the relevant approved education provider. You may be entitled to credit for prior certified or experiential learning, which may entitle you to exemption from assessment in some subjects required by the Joint Statement. You must make any application...

Eligibility requirements

The SRA shall only grant an application for a practising certificate, or registration in the register of European lawyers, register of foreign lawyers or the register of Swiss lawyers if you meet the eligibility requirements in this regulation. You will be eligible to apply for a practising certificate if: your name is on the roll; and you are not suspended from practice as a solicitor....

Revocation and expiry

The SRA may revoke a practising certificate, or withdraw registration in the register of European lawyers, the register of foreign lawyers and the register of Swiss lawyers at any time, if the SRA is satisfied: that the practising certificate or registration was granted or renewed as a result of error, misleading or inaccurate information, or fraud; that the replacement or renewal date has...

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...

Removal from and restoration to the roll

The SRA may remove your name from the roll if: following an enquiry made by the SRA under regulation 5.4: you tell the SRA that you do not wish to remain on the roll; you do not, within eight weeks from the date of the notice, reply to the SRA and pay the fee specified under regulation 5.5, or you apply to have your name removed from the roll. Where regulation 5.6(a)(ii) applies, the SRA must...