SRA Standards and Regulations

Conflict of interests

You do not act if there is an own interest conflict or a significant risk of such a conflict. You do not act in relation to a matter or particular aspect of it if you have a conflict of interest or a significant risk of such a conflict in relation to that matter or aspect of it, unless: the clients have a substantially common interest in relation to the matter or the aspect of it, as...

Client identification

You identify who you are acting for in relation to any matter.

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...

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...

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...

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.

Referrals, introductions and separate businesses

In respect of any referral of a client by you to another person, or of any third party who introduces business to you or with whom you share your fees, you ensure that: clients are informed of any financial or other interest which you or your business or employer has in referring the client to another person or which an introducer has in referring the client to you; clients are informed of any...

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...

Cooperation and accountability

You keep up to date with and follow the law and regulation governing the way you work. You cooperate with the SRA, other regulators, ombudsmen and those bodies with a role overseeing and supervising the delivery of, or investigating concerns in relation to, legal services. You respond promptly to the SRA and: provide full and accurate explanations, information and documentation in response to...

Managers in SRA authorised firms

If you are a manager, you are responsible for compliance by your firm with this Code. This responsibility is joint and several if you share management responsibility with other managers of the firm.