SRA Standards and Regulations

Eligibility

You will be eligible to apply for authorisation: as a licensed body, if you are a licensable body and have at least one manager that is an authorised person (other than a licensed body or an RSL); as a recognised body, if you are a legal services body in which all of the managers and interest holders are legally qualified (other than RSLs); or as a recognised sole practice, if you are a...

Cross-border Practice Rules

This Part applies to European cross-border practice from any office by: solicitors; managers of authorised bodies who are not authorised by an approved regulator (other than the SRA) under the LSA; and authorised bodies. These rules apply to European cross-border practice from an office in England and Wales by: RELs; RFLs who are managers or employees of an authorised body; and RSLs who are...

Grants which may be made from the Fund

A person may apply for a grant out of the Fund, if the loss referred to in rule 3.3 relates to services provided: by the defaulting practitioner for them; or to, or as, a trustee where they are a beneficiary of the estate or trust. A person who is not a client of the defaulting practitioner may apply for a grant out of the Fund if they: were a party on the other side of a legal matter on which...

Maximum grant

Unless the SRA is satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances in the public interest that justify a higher sum, the maximum grant that may be made is £2 million. For the purposes of this rule, a single claim is an application, or applications, from an applicant for the loss incurred by them arising from a single event or set of connected underlying circumstances.

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...

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...

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...

Financial services activities

If you are a solicitor, an REL RFL or RSL 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.

Waivers

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