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Our lawyers have considerable experience of advising solicitors and firms under investigation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and defending cases before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. If you are facing an investigation or a disciplinary hearing you should seek specialist advice as soon as possible to help safeguard your practice.
Stephensons is recommended by the Legal 500 for professional disciplinary work. We understand the needs and anxieties of professional clients whose practice is at risk and we recognise the need for urgent, specialist advice. To speak with a member of our team, in confidence, call 01616 966 229 or complete our online enquiry form.
Receiving a notification of an investigation by the SRA can have serious implications, both professionally and financially. Investigations can be long-running and can involve interviews with SRA staff, requests for the production of files and other documents and requests for explanations of conduct. The SRA has wide-ranging powers both during the course of an investigation and at its conclusion. These include the power to issue warnings and rebukes, impose fines and impose conditions on practising certificates. We can guide you through this process, assist you in preparing responses to the SRA and advise on suitable outcomes. If you have received an explanation of conduct letter from the SRA you should seek specialist advice as effective early engagement with the SRA can often have a significant bearing on the outcome of the investigation.
Our recent work in this area has included investigations into the following allegations:
In addition to advising on investigations by the SRA, we also have experience of advising solicitors in relation to their reporting obligations.
In the most serious of cases following an investigation you may be notified that you have been referred to a hearing before the SDT. This is a daunting prospect given the tribunal’s powers. Clearly, where allegations are found proven the worst case scenario is that the tribunal will make a striking-off order. However it is important to note that the tribunal’s other powers, such as imposing periods of suspension or restrictions can also have a devastating effect on a solicitor’s practice. Furthermore, the tribunal’s powers to impose fines and make orders for costs can have serious financial implications for solicitors.
We have experience of representing solicitors at hearings before the SDT and, where appropriate, avoiding hearings by agreeing outcomes with the SRA. Our experience includes successfully defending allegations of dishonesty; and successfully avoiding striking off where dishonesty is admitted. Our recent work in this area has involved SDT cases dealing with the following issues:
If you require assistance in relation to an SRA investigation or an SDT hearing, please contact 01616 966 229 to speak with a member of our team.
Head In this video, specialist professional discipline solicitor Carl Johnson, discusses the comprehensive legal services Stephensons offers to regulated professionals. With vast experience representing a wide range of professionals including chartered accountants, dentists, doctors, nurses, paramedics, and pharmacists, Carl explains how the firm specialises in defending these individuals in regulatory and disciplinary matters.
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