Regulations/Standards
Legislation and Practice Regulations set out the standards which solicitors in Northern Ireland must adhere to in relation to their practices and their duties to their clients.
The primary legislation is:
The Order is the statutory framework enabling the Law Society to act as the regulatory authority in relation to the qualification, education, professional practice, conduct and discipline of solicitors in order to maintain the independence, ethical standards, professional competence and quality of services offered to the public.
Core Practice Regulations and Miscellaneous Client Care Regulations
The core regulations made pursuant to the power granted to the Law Society are:
The Solicitors' Practice Regulations 1987 provides the standards to which solicitors must work as solicitors admitted in Northern Ireland.
In 2010 the regulations were updated.
On the 20th May 2013, the Society introduced the Solicitors’ Practice (Amendment) Regulations 2013, with the approval of the Lord Chief Justice.
They were introduced to address the issue of the payment of referral fees by solicitors in Northern Ireland, within the legislative and regulatory framework here.
In June 2013 an updated and consolidated version of the 1987 Practice Regulations to take account of the 2010 and 2013 Practice Amendment Regulations.
In January 2019 the Solicitors' Practice (Amendment) Regulations 2018 came into effect.
In addition there are a number of core regulations which govern the practice of solicitors in Northern Ireland and their relationship and duties to their clients. These include:
Accounts
See also:
Anti-Money Laundering
Client Communications
Provision of Services Regulations 2009
EU/Cross Border
See also:
Home Charter
Referral Fees
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A complete list of all Law Society Regulations can be accessed by clicking here