An Essential Guide for Every Law Firm and Lawyer
On 6th October 2011 the biggest change to law firm regulation in decades came into effect with the introduction of the new SRA Handbook, which replaces the Solicitors' Code of Conduct. This Handbook will cover every aspect of the regulation of individuals and firms who are authorised and licensed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), including Alternative Business Structures (ABS).
Every law firm and lawyer needs to be preparing NOW! to comply fully with the new regulations from the October deadline. This will require knowledge of the provisions of the new SRA Handbook and the changes they will bring.
- * New outcomes focused code
- Requires Robust Systems and Policies for protection of clients
- Requirement for Compliance Officer for Legal Practice
- Requirement for Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration
- New Compliance Systems, Plans and Policies
CLT is presenting a series of public seminars giving essential and practical guidance on the new regime and how to comply. The Course will include case studies of how the new regulations will work and apply to different types of practice/different situations.
Background to the new SRA Handbook
- * The Legal Services Act – opening up legal services markets/ABS
- Separation of representative and regulatory bodies
- The SRA as approved regulator – what does this mean for the SRA and its approach to regulation?
The Handbook
- * An overview of the Handbook
- ‘Cradle to grave’, ‘one stop shop’ regulation – takes you through training to admission, to how you can practice and be authorised/licensed, to being disciplined and, ultimately, ceasing to practice. In other words, all you need to know about how the SRA will regulate you and your business.
In particular the following will be covered in detail:
The Principles
The ethical behaviour required of someone providing regulated legal services and how this pervades all aspects of practice.
Authorisation and Practising Requirements
- * Authorisation of individuals and firms
- Individual applications for PCs, registrations of RELs and RFLs and recognised sole practitioner authorisation
- Practice framework rules – how you can practice, who you can be in business with, reserved activities, formation and practice requirements, regulatory arrangements and how you can practice in house
- How you (the business) apply to be authorised or licensed
- Recognised Bodies Regulations 2009 – the transitional arrangements pending their repeal.
The Code
- * Outcomes focused Regulation and what it means
- How the outcomes link to the principles
- The code’s new structure and changes of substance
- What is mandatory and what not.
Other areas of interest in the Handbook
- * Accounts rules
- Specialist Services Rules
- Disciplinary Procedure Rules
- Cost of Investigation Regulations
- Training requirements
- Public Protection Rules.