As a Lay Applicant, can I challenge a decision not to certify that there is a case to answer?

There is a right of appeal by the Lay Applicant to the High Court under section 49(2), Solicitors Act 1974 (as amended). The parties to the appeal are you as the person challenging the decision (called the Appellant) and the solicitor(s) against whom your application is made.

You must provide a copy of your application to the Tribunal and SRA. The Tribunal and/or the SRA may apply to the High Court to be joined into the appeal as an interested party, but this will happen only very rarely.