SRA Standards and Regulations

Obtaining and delivery of accountants' reports

If you have, at any time during an accounting period, held or received client money, or operated a joint account or a client's own account as signatory, you must: obtain an accountant's report for that accounting period within six months of the end of the period; and deliver it to the SRA within six months of the end of the accounting period if the accountant's report is qualified to show a...

Duty to correct breaches upon discovery

You correct any breaches of these rules promptly upon discovery. Any money improperly withheld or withdrawn from a client account must be immediately paid into the account or replaced as appropriate.

Shortfall in statutory trust account

In cases where a shortfall is revealed between statutory trust monies held, and the beneficial entitlements shown in a reconciled list or best list, the SRA may rectify the position, in whole or in part, by the use of other monies taken into its possession in consequence of the intervention to which that list relates. Where, having applied additional funds under rule 6.1, a shortfall still...

Verification of claims

The SRA may verify the individual potential beneficial entitlements claimed under rule 4 by examining all available evidence.

Individual authorisation

As set out in the SRA Authorisation of Individuals Regulations: A decision made under regulation 1.1(b) not to be satisfied that an individual holds a degree or qualifications or experience which are equivalent to a degree. A decision made under regulation 3.1(a) not to be satisfied that an individual holds a legal professional qualification that is recognised by the SRA, which confers rights...

Firm authorisation

As set out in the SRA Authorisation of Firms Rules: A decision made under rule 2.2 to refuse authorisation. A decision made under rule 3.1 to impose conditions on authorisation. A decision to refuse approval for the taking of steps specified in conditions under rule 3.3(c). A decision under rule 4.3 or 4.4 to revoke or suspend a body's authorisation. A decision made under rule 12.1 to extend,...

Miscellaneous

A decision made under the SRA Compensation Fund Rules 2019 or the SRA Compensation Fund Rules 2021 not to make a grant of the whole or part of the amount applied for from the Fund. Any decisions in respect of which there is a right of external appeal as set out in annex 2 or 3, that are not covered above.

Firm authorisation

As set out in the SRA Authorisation of Firms Rules: A decision made under rule 2.2 to refuse authorisation of a recognised body or recognised sole practice. A decision made under rule 4.3 to revoke or suspend authorisation of a recognised body or recognised sole practice. A decision made under 3.1 to impose conditions on authorisation of a recognised body or recognised sole practice. A...

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...

Safekeeping of clients' investments

Where you undertake the regulated financial services activity of safeguarding and administering investments, you must operate appropriate systems, including the keeping of appropriate records, which provide for the safekeeping of assets entrusted to you by clients and others. Where such assets are passed to a third party: you should obtain an acknowledgement of receipt of the property; and if...