SRA Handbook

Character and suitability

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Version 14 of the Handbook was published on 30/04/2015. For more information, please click 'History' Above

Regulation 6: Character and suitability

6.1

You must disclose any issue to us which may cause you not to meet the outcomes of the SRA Suitability Test:

(a)

before you commence any period of recognised training, or;

(b)

if the issue occurs after commencement, during any period of recognised training.

6.2

You may ask us to assess any issue which may cause you not to meet the outcomes of the SRA Suitability Test before commencement of the LPC.

6.3

If you have either disclosed an issue as required by regulation 6.1, or asked us to assess an issue under regulation 6.2, which may cause you not to meet the outcomes of the SRA Suitability Test, you are not eligible to commence recognised training until we have determined that you satisfy the outcomes of the SRA Suitability Test.

6.4

If you fail to meet the requirements of regulation 6.1 we may refuse to recognise training undertaken during this period and treat your failure to notify us as prima facie evidence of dishonest behaviour.

6.5

We may determine on the grounds of your character and suitability to be a solicitor that you are not eligible to commence or continue recognised training. You may make up to three further applications for eligibility to commence recognised training where there has been a material change in circumstances after intervals of not less than 12 months from the final determination of your previous application.

6.6

By making a request for assessment of a character and suitability issue under regulation 6.1 or 6.2 you become subject to these regulations.

6.7

You must disclose any new character and suitability issue to us at any time:

(a)

following a request for assessment of a character and suitability issue under regulation 6.1 or 6.2 but before we have reached a decision; or

(b)

after commencing a period of recognised training.

6.8

If during a period of recognised training you disclose a character and suitability issue under regulation 6.1 and/or 6.6 to us, or we discover a character and suitability issue, which may require assessment under the SRA Suitability Test, we may:

(a)

permit you to continue recognised training;

(b)

require you to suspend your recognised training pending our assessment of the issue;

(c)

not recognise part or all of that training if we decide that you do not have the required character and suitability, or;

(d)

apply such conditions to your training as we consider appropriate.