User Group Committee
Since April 2013 a Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal User Group Committee (“UGC”) has met regularly, chaired by the President of the Tribunal.
Originally initiated by the Tribunal, the UGC’s terms of reference are to provide a forum for improving efficiency and consistency in Tribunal and cross-party case management and to assist in building understanding between stakeholders, by provision of a forum for voicing opinion and wider concerns of stakeholders, including Tribunal users.
A summary of the key decisions/topics under discussion by/of the UGC follows below:
Related Documents
Meeting Summaries
30 April 2026
The Committee received an update on Tribunal operations. The past quarter had been steady, with case volumes lower than in the comparable preceding period. Members noted a continued reduction in the attrition rate for substantive hearings following procedural reforms introduced 18 months ago, while recognising that further progress remained desirable. An increase in lay applications in early 2026 was noted, together with the resource implications being monitored by the Tribunal.
The Committee discussed the timing of agreed outcomes and the factors bearing on early resolution. Constructive contributions were made by defence representatives and the regulator, and a number of avenues for further engagement were identified.
The Committee also discussed the threshold for referral to the Tribunal and welcomed a proposal for structured dialogue on relevant categories of case. The launch of the Tribunal’s Case Assurance Committee was noted.
A developing pilot pathway for the support of respondents, being taken forward jointly by LawCare and the Solicitors Charity, was outlined and welcomed.
A proposal concerning the timing of anonymity applications was supported. The Committee also discussed the communication of changes to Tribunal guidance and practice, and noted the wider refresh of the Tribunal’s communications strategy.