Professional Conduct Flashcards
The purpose, scope, and content of the Code of Conduct, which consists of:
SRA code of conduct for solicitors, registered European lawyers (RELs) and registered foreign lawyers (RFLs).
Principle 1:
in a way that upholds the constitutional principle of the rule of law, and the proper administration of justice.
Principles 2:
in a way that upholds public trust and confidence in the solicitors profession and in the legal services provided by authorised persons.
Principle 3:
with independence.
Principle 4:
with honesty
Principle 5:
with integrity
Principle 6:
in a way that encourages equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Principle 7:
in the best interests of each client.
The SRA Code of Conduct for firms describes the standards and business controls that the SRA expect of firms (including sole practices) authorised to…
provide legal services.
The aim of the SRA Code of Conduct is?
create and maintain the right culture and environment for the delivery of competent and ethical legal services to clients.
The code of conduct for firms applies in the context of?
legal practice and the way of business and professional activities are conducted.
A breach of the SRA Code of Conduct can lead to?
to regulatory action being taken against the firm, its managers or compliance officers who each have responsibilities for ensuring that the standards are met.
1.1-1.4
maintaining trust and acting fairly
1.1
You do not unfairly discriminate by allowing your personal views to affect your professional relationships and the way in which you provide your services.
1.2
you do not abuse your position by taking unfair advantage of clients or others.
1.3
you perform all undertakings given by you and do so within an agreed timescale or if no timescale has been agreed then within a reasonable amount of time.
1.4
do not mislead or attempt to mislead your clients, the court, or others, either by your own acts or omissions, or allowing or being complicit in the acts or omissions of others (including your client).
2.1-2.7
dispute resolution and proceedings before courts, tribunals, and inquiries
2.1
You do not misuse or tamper with evidence or attempt to do so.
2.2
You do not seek to influence the substance of evidence, including generating false evidence or persuading witnesses to change their evidence.
2.3
you do not provide or offer to provide any benefits to witnesses dependent upon the nature of their evidence or the outcome of the case.
2.4
you only make assertions or put forward statements, representations or submissions to the court or others which are properly arguable.
2.5
you do not place yourself in contempt of court, and you comply with court orders which place obligations on you.
2.6
You do not waste the court’s time.
2.7
You draw the courts ‘s attention to relevant cases and statutory provisions or procedural irregularities of which you are aware,
and which are likely to have a material effect on the outcome of the proceedings.
3.1-3.6
service and competence
3.1
You only act for clients on instructions from the client or from someone properly authorised to provide instructions on their behalf.
If you have reason to suspect that the instructions do not represent your clients wishes, you do not act unless you have satisfied yourself that they do.
However, in circumstances where you have legal authority to act notwithstanding that it is not possible to obtain or ascertain the instructions of your client, then you are subject to the overriding obligation to protect your client’s best interests.
3.2
You ensure that the service you provide to clients is competent and delivered in a timely manner.
3.3
You maintain your competence to carry out your role and keep your professional knowledge and skills up to date.
3.4
You consider and take account of your client’s attributes, needs and circumstances.
3.5
Where you supervise or manage others providing legal services:
3.5(a)
you remain accountable for the work carried out through them
3.5(b)
you effectively supervise work being done for clients.
3.6
You ensure that the individuals you manage are competent to carry out their role and keep their professional knowledge and skills,
as well as understanding of their legal, ethical, and regulatory obligations, up to date.
4.1-4.3
client money and assets
4.1
You properly account to clients for any financial benefit you receive as a result of their instructions, except where they have agreed otherwise.
4.2
You safeguard money and assets entrusted to you by clients and others.
4.3
You do not personally hold client money save as permitted under regulation 10.2(b)(7) of the Authorisation of Individuals regulations,
unless you work in an authorised body, or in an organisation of a kind prescribed under this rule on any terms that may be prescribed accordingly.
5.1-5.3
Referrals, introductions, and separate businesses
5.1
In respect of any referral of the client by you to another person or of any third party who introduces business to you or with whom you share your fees, you ensure that:
5.1(a)
clients are informed of any financial or other interest which you or your business or employer has in referring the client to another person or which an introducer has in referring the client to you.
5.1(b)
clients are informed of any fee sharing arrangement that is relevant to their matter.
5.1(c)
the fee sharing agreement is in writing.
5.1(d)
you do not receive payments relating to a referral or make payments to an introducer in respect of clients who are the subject of criminal proceedings
5.1(e)
any client referred by an introducer has not been acquired in a way which would breach the SRA’s regulatory arrangements if the person acquiring the client for regulated by the SRA.
5.2
where it appears to the SRA that you have made or received a referral fee, the payment will be treated as a referral fee unless you show that the payment was not made as such.
5.3
you only:
5.3(a)
refer, recommend, or introduce a client to a separate business