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Regulations and 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.

Primary legislation

Description

Solicitors (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 as amended (the Order)

 

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 include

 

Description

Solicitors’ Practice Regulations 1987

 

 

 

 

The Solicitors' Practice Regulations 1987 provides the standards to which solicitors must work as solicitors admitted in Northern Ireland.

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.

Solicitors' Practice (Amendment) Regulations 2010

 

In 2010 the regulations were updated.

Solicitors’ Practice (Amendment) Regulations 2013

 

On the 20th May 2013, the Society introduced the Solicitors’ Practice (Amendment) Regulations 2013, with the approval of the Lord Chief Justice.

Solicitors Practice (Amendment) Regulations 1987 as amended 25th June 2013

 

In June 2013 an updated and consolidated version of the 1987 Practice Regulations to take account of the 2010 and 2013 Practice Amendment Regulations.

The Solicitors' Practice Regulations 1987 as amended Dec 2018

 

In January 2019 the Solicitors' Practice (Amendment) Regulations 2018 came into effect.

The Regulations were signed by the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland in November 2020.

Practising Certificate Fee and Compensation Fund (Annual Contribution) (Amendment) Regulations 2020


Practising Certificate (Amendment) Regulations 2020

Practising Certificate Fee And Compensation Fund (Annual Contribution) (Amendment) Regulations 2021

Practising Certificate Fee And Compensation Fund (Annual Contribution) (Amendment) Regulations 2022

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.

 

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.

Accounts

 

Solicitors Accounts Regulations 1998.pdf

 

Solicitors Accounts Regulations 2014

 

Solicitors Accounts Regulations 2014 - Guidance Note

 

See also:

Solicitors Order (NI) 1976 a. 33-35

Anti-Money Laundering

 

Solicitors' Money Laundering Compliance Regulations 2007.pdf

 

Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 c. 29Money Laundering Regulations 2007 SI21 57

 

The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017

 

The Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Regulations 2019

 

See also:

Law Society England and Wales website

Solicitors Regulatory Authority website

 

Client Communications

 

Solicitors Client Communication Practice Regulations 2008 .pdf

 

Provision of Services Regulations 2009

 

Provision of Services Regulations 2009

 

Directive 2006/123 on services in the internal market

 

Council Directive 77/249/

 

Directive 98/5/ec of the European Parliament and of the Council

 

EU/Cross Border

 

Solicitors Overseas Practice Regulations 1989.pdf

 

The Law Society of Northern Ireland European Communities (Lawyer’s Practice) Regulations 2000

 

The Law Society of Northern Ireland European Communities (Lawyer's Practice) Regulations 2000.pdf

 

(Implemented under the EU Establishment Directive)

 

See also:

 

Solicitors (Cross Border Code of Conduct) Regulations 2006

 

Home Charter

 

Solicitors Practice Regulations 1987 r. 8A,

 

Referral Fees

 

Solicitors’ Practice (Amendment) Regulations 2013

 

 

Fees

Law Society of Northern Ireland Fees Regulations 2014

Practising Certificate Fee And Compensation Fund (Annual Contribution) (Amendment) Regulations 2022

 Financial

Solicitors Financial Services Regulations 2022

Solicitors Indemnity Insurance (Amendment) Regulations 2023

 

A complete list of all Law Society Regulations can be accessed by clicking here

 

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