SRA Standards and Regulations Flashcards
What is the basis of ethical behavior that the SRA expects all solicitors, law firms, managers, and employees to uphold?
A) The Solicitors Act 1974
B) The SRA Enforcement Strategy
C) The Legal Services Act 2007
D) The Judiciary Code of Ethics
B) The SRA Enforcement Strategy
Which of the following statements about the SRA Principles is correct?
A) They are guidelines that solicitors may follow at their discretion.
B) They are mandatory, and a breach may result in professional misconduct.
C) They only apply to senior partners in a law firm.
D) They do not take precedence over individual client interests.
B) They are mandatory, and a breach may result in professional misconduct.
If two SRA Principles are in conflict, which principle should take precedence?
A) The principle that best serves the solicitor’s financial interests.
B) The principle that benefits the client the most.
C) The principle that safeguards wider public interest and public confidence.
D) The principle that aligns with the firm’s internal policies.
C) The principle that safeguards wider public interest and public confidence.
Which of the following is NOT one of the SRA Principles?
A) To act with honesty.
B) To act with independence.
C) To maximize financial gains for the firm.
D) To act in the best interests of each client.
C) To maximize financial gains for the firm.
Why must solicitors act in a way that upholds public trust and confidence?
A) To ensure compliance with GDPR requirements.
B) To maintain the credibility of the profession and legal services.
C) To protect clients from making poor decisions.
D) To increase business development opportunities.
B) To maintain the credibility of the profession and legal services.
A solicitor knowingly gives false information in court. Which SRA Principle has been breached?
A) Acting with independence.
B) Acting with honesty.
C) Acting in a way that encourages diversity.
D) Acting in the best interests of the client.
B) Acting with honesty.
Which document sets out rules on how law firms must hold and manage client money?
A) Code of Conduct for Solicitors (CCS)
B) Code of Conduct for Firms (CCF)
C) SRA Principles
D) SRA Accounts Rules
D) SRA Accounts Rules
What should a solicitor do if there is a conflict between public interest and a client’s interest?
A) Prioritize the client’s interest over public interest
B) Withdraw from the case immediately
C) Prioritize the public interest over the client’s interest
D) Seek permission from the client before making a decision
C) Prioritize the public interest over the client’s interest
Which of the following is NOT one of the SRA Principles?
A) To act with honesty
B) To act in a way that upholds public trust and confidence
C) To maximize financial profit for the firm
D) To act in the best interests of each client
C) To maximize financial profit for the firm
What is the primary purpose of the Code of Conduct for Solicitors (CCS)?
A) To regulate court proceedings
B) To set out standards that the SRA and public expect from individuals authorized to provide legal services
C) To outline business operation requirements for law firms
D) To manage financial transactions within law firms
B) To set out standards that the SRA and public expect from individuals authorized to provide legal services
Under CCS 7.3, what must solicitors do when the SRA or another regulator investigates concerns regarding legal activity?
A) Ignore the request if it does not relate to their client
B) Cooperate with the SRA and other regulators
C) Only respond if they are facing personal misconduct allegations
D) Consult their client before sharing any information
B) Cooperate with the SRA and other regulators
According to CCS 2.3, what must solicitors avoid when dealing with witnesses in court proceedings?
A) Providing or offering benefits to witnesses based on the nature of their evidence or case outcome
B) Asking witnesses to provide truthful testimony
C) Preparing witnesses for cross-examination
D) Calling a witness without prior court approval
A) Providing or offering benefits to witnesses based on the nature of their evidence or case outcome
What is the main focus of the Code of Conduct for Firms (CCF)?
A) Ensuring law firms act ethically and in line with SRA Principles
B) Providing detailed regulations on client money
C) Setting criminal law practice requirements
D) Regulating judges and court staff
A) Ensuring law firms act ethically and in line with SRA Principles
What roles must a law firm appoint under the CCF to ensure compliance with SRA rules?
A) Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) and Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA)
B) Financial Auditor and Business Compliance Officer
C) Client Liaison Officer and Court Representative
D) Compliance Director and Legal Ethics Officer
A) Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) and Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA)
What is a key requirement for law firms under the Code of Conduct for Firms (CCF)?
A) Firms must have systems and controls in place to ensure compliance with SRA rules
B) Firms must operate without any external regulation
C) Firms must always act in the client’s best interest, even if it conflicts with legal obligations
D) Firms must only report ethical breaches when explicitly requested by the SRA
A) Firms must have systems and controls in place to ensure compliance with SRA rules
What are the two types of compliance officers required in an SRA-authorized law firm?
A) Compliance Officer for Client Services (COCS) and Compliance Officer for Ethics (COE)
B) Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) and Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA)
C) Compliance Officer for Risk Management (CORM) and Compliance Officer for Litigation (COL)
D) Compliance Officer for Business (COB) and Compliance Officer for Governance (COG)
B) Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) and Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA)
Who is required to appoint a COLP and a COFA?
A) Only large law firms
B) Only law firms handling client money
C) All practices authorized by the SRA
D) Only firms with more than 50 employees
C) All practices authorized by the SRA
What is the primary role of a COLP and COFA in a law firm?
A) To act as the main client representatives
B) To oversee compliance and governance within the firm
C) To manage the firm’s daily financial transactions
D) To act as a mediator in client disputes
B) To oversee compliance and governance within the firm
Who holds ultimate responsibility for ensuring that a firm complies with the SRA Code of Conduct?
A) Only the COLP and COFA
B) The SRA itself
C) The managers of the firm, jointly and severally
D) Only the firm’s senior partner
C) The managers of the firm, jointly and severally
What must a COLP or COFA do if they identify a serious breach of compliance?
A) Report it to the SRA, even if the firm’s managers disagree
B) Ignore it if the managers of the firm wish to handle it internally
C) Only report it if a client makes a formal complaint
D) Inform the firm’s accountant but take no further action
A) Report it to the SRA, even if the firm’s managers disagree
Why must COLPs and COFAs keep records of all breaches?
A) To recognize when a breach may be classified as a serious breach
B) To use them as marketing material for the firm
C) To avoid client disputes
D) To send them automatically to the firm’s clients
A) To recognize when a breach may be classified as a serious breach
What happens if a COLP or COFA fails to meet their compliance obligations?
A) They may be subject to regulatory action by the SRA
B) They are automatically removed from their position
C) The SRA will take no action unless a client complains
D) Only the firm’s senior partner will be held responsible
A) They may be subject to regulatory action by the SRA
If a COLP or COFA identifies a serious compliance breach, what must they do?
A) Obtain approval from the firm’s management before taking action
B) Ignore it unless it involves client money
C) Report it to the SRA regardless of management’s wishes
D) Wait until the breach has caused significant harm before acting
C) Report it to the SRA regardless of management’s wishes
