LS4: Regulation Flashcards
Which body is responsible for regulating chartered legal executives?
CILEX Regulation
What must chartered legal executives comply with?
The CILEX Code of Conduct
What are the 9 principles contained within the CILEX Code of Conduct?
- uphold the rule of law and the impartial administration of justice
- maintain high standards of professional and personal conduct and justify public trust in you, your profession and the provision of legal services;
- behave with honesty and integrity;
- comply with your legal and regulatory obligations and deal with your regulators and ombudsmen openly, promptly and co-operatively;
- act competently in the best interests of your client and respect client confidentiality;
- treat everyone fairly and without prejudice;
- ensure your independence is not compromised;
- act effectively and in accordance with proper governance and sound financial and risk management principles; and
- protect client money and assets.
CILEX Code of Conduct: 1.1 and 1.2
“You must:
1.1 Understand and comply with your primary and overriding duty to the court, obey court orders and do nothing which would place you in contempt.
1.2 Not knowingly or recklessly allow the court to be misled.”
What is the punishment for going against the Code of Conduct, issued by CILEX Regulation’s Disciplinary Tribunal?
Fines of up to £100,000 for CILEX members
If a chartered legal executive works in a law firm regulated by the SRA, which regulations should they follow?
Both the CILEX Code of Conduct (as they are a CLE) AND the SRA Standards (as they’re working in a company who uses them).
What are the usual complaints to CILEX Regulation about?
Either behaviour or service provided.
What is the CILEX CPD and what must members and fellows of CILEX do every year?
Continuing Professional Development.
Oct - Sept, must complete an online logbook of planned (training webinars) and unplanned (learnt on the job + self-evaluation) activities.
CILEX Regulation are now able to regulate legal practices run by whom?
Legal practices run by:
CLE litigators and advocates
Conveyancing practitioners
Probate practitioners
Immigration practitioners
Other Authorised Persons (incl. solicitors)
Which personnel must legal practices (or entities) appoint by CILEX Regulation?
An approved manager
A compliance manager
An accounts manager
(one person may have more than one role)
Managers must demonstrate competence in practice and accounts management.
What are the functions of the Solicitors Regulation Authority?
○ setting the standards for qualifying as a solicitor;
○ drafting rules of professional conduct;
○ providing ethical guidance;
○ administering the solicitors’ roll;
○ investigating complaints against solicitors and prosecuting them in the Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal; and
○ where necessary, closing down law firms to protect the public.
Which principles do the SRA Standards and Regulations include?
You act:
○ in a way that upholds the constitutional principle of the rule of law, and the proper administration of justice;
○ in a way that upholds public trust and confidence in the solicitors’ profession and in the legal services provided by authorised persons;
○ with independence;
○ with honesty;
○ with integrity;
○ in a way that encourages equality, diversity and inclusion; and
○ in the best interest of each client.
What can the SRA impose as a punishment?
Disciplinary sanctions, including fines of up to £2,000 on individual solicitors or firms.
What do the SRA Standards and Regulations include?
7 mandatory principles
SRA Code of Conduct for Solicitors
SRA Code of Conduct for Firms
SRA Accounts Rules
What does the SRA set out for solicitor’s continuing professional development?
In the ‘statement of solicitor competence’ which defines the ‘continuing competences’ for all solicitors, it includes:
‘Maintain the level of competence and legal knowledge needed to practise effectively, taking into account changes in their role and/or practice context and developments in the law…’
A ‘threshold standard’ is linked with the statement, which sets out the levels of competence and legal knowledge to be expected of a newly-qualified solicitor.