Consultant Solicitor
CurrentI am a specialist in professional regulation and discipline matters affecting solicitors, law firms and the individuals who work within them. My clients are all either the subject of (or seeking to avoid) regulatory scrutiny by the SRA and I assist them in four key areas:• SRA investigations, in which I attend interviews and make written submissions during investigations into alleged misconduct, guiding clients in making careful admissions where appropriate or setting out a robust… Show more I am a specialist in professional regulation and discipline matters affecting solicitors, law firms and the individuals who work within them. My clients are all either the subject of (or seeking to avoid) regulatory scrutiny by the SRA and I assist them in four key areas:• SRA investigations, in which I attend interviews and make written submissions during investigations into alleged misconduct, guiding clients in making careful admissions where appropriate or setting out a robust defence where such is available (either on material or technical grounds);• SDT proceedings, where I provide full representation including advocacy services at interim and substantive hearings; • SRA Authorisation issues, where common work includes applications for COLP, COFA and Manager authorisation, applications for ABS and firm recognition, applications to the Roll of Solicitors where past indiscretions have raised character and suitability issues and appeals of such regulatory decisions; and• Compliance advice, including business models, firms’ policies and procedures and (increasingly) instructions to provide advice on whether matters which have arisen in the working and private lives of solicitors might be reportable to the SRA as matters of conduct including, when they are, the most appropriate way to do so.I am also a member of the Solicitors Assistance Scheme. Show less
