SRA Letter

A letter from the SRA seeking an “Explanation with Warnings” is a crucial part of the disciplinary process. Have you received a SRA Letter?

The solicitor is usually given 14 days to prepare a response.

The Solicitors response to the EWW letter will need to be considered, coherent and consistent with any explanation the solicitor will give if the case reaches the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.

Great care should be taken in drafting the response and not to aggravate the situation.

The response to the EWW letter will form the basis of any defence a solicitor has throughout the investigation stage and before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (if the matter is referred for formal disciplinary proceedings).

It is crucial that expert legal advice is obtained prior to submitting a response to the EWW.

“Having had the threat of an SRA investigation hanging over my head for 2 years I must reflect that the calm professionalism and knowledge of Jon has given me comfort and reassurance in a very testing period of my life. Despite being a solicitor of over twenty years I must reflect that I could not have written such well drafted and detailed letters as Jon did. Whilst I hope never to require Jon’s expertise again, I would not hesitate to recommend his services to anyone and everyone. I massive sincere appreciation to you for the well-reasoned method of dealing with such wide reaching investigations and achieving an excellent outcome of no further action”.

Solicitor

The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal consists of both solicitors and lay members appointed by the Master of the Rolls.

The SDT is empowered to make Rules about the procedure and practice to be followed in relation to the making, hearing and determination of applications and complaints and with effect from 25 November 2019,the Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019 (“the Rules”).

The SDT may make appropriate practice directions consistent with the Rules and provide for cases to be determined by divisions or panels of two solicitors and one lay member.

Proceedings before the SDT are regulatory in nature and not criminal.

The SDT has been found to be an independent and impartial Tribunal for the purposes of Article 6 ECHR.

Upon the hearing of an application the SDT has the power, in relation to solicitors, to make such order as it thinks fit and any such order may in particular include the following;

  • the striking off the Roll of the name of the solicitor to whom the application or complaint relates,
  • the suspension of that solicitor from practising indefinitely or for a specified period,
  • the payment of a fine of an unlimited amount which shall be forfeit to Her Majesty,
  • the termination of a solicitors unspecified period of suspension from practice,
  • the restoration to the Roll of the name of a former solicitor whose name had been struck off the Roll and to whom the application relates, and
  • the payment by any party of costs or a contribution toward the costs in such amount as the Tribunal may consider reasonable.

Following a referral to the SDT by the SRA proceedings will be drafted by either an in house advocate in the Legal Department of the SRA or an external solicitor instructed by the SRA to prosecute cases.

The person commencing the proceedings whether in house or external is known as the Applicant.

The Applicant will prepare the originating process which is known as the Rule 12 Statement (arising from Rule 12 of the 2019 Rules).

The Rule 12 Statement sets out the allegations and facts relied upon against the solicitor who is termed the Respondent.

Following the Rule 12 Statement and supporting documents being lodged with the SDT, the papers are initially considered by a solicitor member of the Tribunal who certifies whether a “case to answer” is made out against the Respondent.

If the solicitor member is not minded to certify that there is a case to answer, or if, in his/her opinion, the case is one of doubt or difficulty, the Application must be considered by a Panel of three members of the Tribunal, at least one of whom must be a solicitor member and one a lay member.

If the decision is not to certify that a case to answer is established, the Application must be dismissed.

The concept of “a case to answer” is very similar to that of a “prima facie case”.

It does not involve the determination of factual issues. The test involves consideration of whether a finding of guilt could be made on the basis of the facts as alleged in the prosecution case. It is a low threshold.

The Applicant may file supplementary statements containing additional allegations, facts or matters upon which the Applicant relies. The permission of the Tribunal is required in order to lodge a supplementary statement more than 12 months after the date of the application or less than 30 days before the date fixed for the hearing.

It is entirely preferable for all allegations to be set out in the original Application.

The SDT operates Case Management principles supported by Practice Directions.

Following certification of a case to answer, the Standard Directions require a Respondent to file an Answer to the Application stating which allegations, (if any), are admitted, and which, (if any) are denied by the date specified in the standard directions. Denials must set out reasons.

Respondents are also required to file and serve any documents upon which they intend to rely at the substantive hearing.

A failure to file and serve an Answer or to comply with any of the directions may leave the Tribunal drawing an adverse inference, excluding evidence which has not been filed and served or making an adverse costs order.

It is essential that the Tribunal’s directions and procedures are complied with in full and in a timely manner. If the Respondent wishes his or her means to be taken into consideration by the SDT in relation to possible sanction and/or costs there are requirements for providing Statement of Means.

The Civil Evidence Acts 1968 and 1995 apply to proceedings before the SDT in the same way that they apply to civil proceedings.

The hearing will be held in public.

The SDT is entitled to proceed in the Respondent’s absence in appropriate cases if satisfied that notice of the hearing has been served on the Respondent in accordance with the Rules.

A Respondent who fails to give oral evidence and submit himself to cross examination may find such failure is taken into account by the Tribunal when reaching its decision.

In the case of Iqbal the Court expressed the view that ordinarily the public would expect a professional person to give an account of their actions and that in appropriate cases adverse inferences may be drawn from a solicitors failure to do so.

The SDT must make a finding as to whether any or all of the allegations have been substantiated. If allegations are found to be proved, the Respondent is entitled to make submissions by way of mitigation in relation to sanction and costs.

The Tribunal announces its decision on the day, although has the ability to reserve its decision for announcement at a later date, if appropriate.

As soon as is practicable, the SDT must deliver detailed written findings to the Applicant and the Respondent, to include its reasons and conclusions upon the evidence before it.

The SDT is required to file its signed order with the Law Society.

It had been the practice of the SDT to apply the criminal standard of proof, namely beyond reasonable doubt.  However, with effect from 25 November 2019, the SDT will apply the civil standard of proof (Rule 5 of the 2019 Rules).”

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“Anyone who has been the subject of disciplinary action by a regulator, and in my case the Solicitors Regulation Authority, will know that the impact extends way beyond your working life. It significantly impacts your personal and family life, affecting your mental wellbeing in the process.

Who you chose to advise and represent you is one of the most important decisions you can make.

In my case, after initially representing myself, I realised that this is not an area of law where a practitioner should go it alone, I therefore sought advice from a barrister and solicitor who I understood to be very experienced in this area. Not only was I advised incorrectly, as it subsequently transpired, but they also seemed to have very little regard for the impact the investigation was having on me.

Something did not feel right and after yet another period of despair, I came across Jonathan’s details online. It is no exaggeration to say that telephoning Jonathan was the best decision I made. When I called, I was immediately put through to Jonathan’s assistant who informed me that Jonathan was engaged in a tribunal hearing and would come back to me as soon as possible. Jonathan returned my call during a short adjournment, and from that moment on, I knew I’d found the right person. Jonathan came back to me as quickly as possible because he cares and fully appreciates the impact regulatory investigations can have. It was the first time in a long time that I felt a weight lift from my shoulders.

Within the space of a week, after providing Jonthan with everything he needed, Jonathan discussed the case in detail with me, providing clear and detailed advice on my case and the disciplinary process. He put me at ease and his expertise was, simply put, outstanding. The advice he gave on the likely outcome of my case, was spot on. Jonathan is so much more than what I consider to be an unrivalled expert in his field, he is a person who genuinely cares for his clients. Jonathan “had my back” and at the same time as showing compassion and understanding on a personal level, he remained determined and committed to achieving the best possible outcome in my case. Jonathan did exactly that.

In summary, I cannot recommend Jonathan Goodwin highly enough. It is no exaggeration to say that he was instrumental in getting me through one of the worst experiences of my life”

Solicitor

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