Legal Services - FLK 1 Flashcards
What does the Legal Services Board do?
Overlooks and coordinates the regulation of legal services according to the regulations set in the Legal Services Act 2007.
What are the 6 types of reserved legal activities?
The exercise of a right of audience
The conduct of litigation
Reserved instrument activities
Probate activities
Notarial activities
The administration of estates
Who can carry out reserved legal activities?
Anyone authorised by an approved regulator
Which are the approved regulators?
Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
Bar Standards Board (BSB)
CILEx Regulation
Council for Licenses Conveyancers
IP Regulation Board
Costs Lawyers Standards Board
Master of Faculties
What approach does the SRA adopt to regulation
A risk-based approach
How does the SRA asses the suitability of an individual to be a solicitor?
Through the SRA Assessment of Character and Suitability Rules
What are the rules surrounding indemnity insurance?
All firms authorised by the SRA must take out and maintain professional indemnity insurance.
Indemnity insurance cover must meet minimum requirements and be adequate and appropriate.
Firms must be open with their clients about their professional indemnity insurance provisions.
What is a practicing certificate needed for?
Allows solicitor to carry out reserved legal activities. Practicing as a solicitor without the a certificate is a criminal offence.
What characteristics are protected under the Equality Act 2010?
Race
Religion
Sex
Disability
Gender Reassignment
Marriage/Civil Partnership
Pregnancy and Maternity
The Act outlaws certain forms and circumstances of discrimination including:
Direct discrimination
Indirect discrimination
Disability discrimination
Victimisation
Harassment
Discrimination the provision of services and the workplace
What is the duty for disabled people?
Duty to make reasonable adjustments
What does the Act overlap with?
A solicitor’s professional conduct responsibilities
What are the four tests to determine if an activity is a Regulated Activity?
- Are you a business?
- Is there a specified investment?
- Is there a specified investment activity, an activity related to a person’s finances, or administering a benchmark?
- Is there an exclusion?
Which investments are/are not specified investments?
Shares
Debentures
Gifts
Contract of Insurance
Regulated mortgages
Home purchase plans
Deposits
Not relevant:
interests in land
most National Savings products
What are Specified Investment Activities, and which are excluded?
Dealing as an agent
Arranging
Managing
Safeguarding
Advising
Exclusions:
Introducing
Execution-only
Trustee/PR
Professional/necessary
Takeover
Exempt Regulated Activities:
What should firms not authorised by the FCA be aware of?
FSMA 2000
RAO 2001
any rules made by the FCA
SRA Scope Rules
Exempt Regulated Activities:
What are the main conditions for claiming the s 327 exemption?
- The activity must arise out of, or be complementary to, the provision of a particular professional service to a particular client.
- The manner of provision by the firm of any service in the course of carrying out the activities is incidental to the provision by the firm of professional services
- The firm must account to the client for any reward or other advantage which the firm received from a third party
- The Scope Rules do not prohibit the firm using the exemption
Exempt Regulated Activities:
What are the SRA Conduct of business rules?
Best execution
Records of transactions
Records of commissions
Letter to execution-only clients
Insurance distribution activities
Credit-related regulated financial services activities