Review to SDT Policies
New policy – Public & Private Hearings
This is a new policy which sets out the key principles the Tribunal will follow when deciding to hold hearings, or parts of hearings, in private.
The policy provides a framework to balance open justice with protecting individual rights and ensuring a fair process. Any deviation from open justice must be justified, necessary, proportionate, and the minimum required. Reference is made within the policy to the Tribunal’s obligations under The Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA) and for it to be aware of the operation of S.48 of the Solicitors Act 1974 wherein the Tribunal is obliged to file, with the SRA (acting on behalf of the Law Society), the order it makes in relation to a respondent and the findings which led to that order. Such orders and findings should not be anonymised. The findings filed with the SRA will be available for inspection by the public.
Policy – Public & Private Hearings
Revised Policies
Guidance Notes on Sanction 11th Edition
The Guidance Note on Sanction has had some minor revisions, though it will be subject of more in depth changes later this year and upon which we may decide to consult. However, after careful consideration and in line with average inflation rates since 2016, we have updated the fining bands for the first time since then. The updated fining bands now will be as follows:
| Level | Range |
| 1 | £0-£5,000 |
| 2 | £5,001-£10,000 |
| 3 | £10,001-£20,000 |
| 4 | £20,001-£70,000 |
| 5 | £70,001> |
These bands will be applied to all cases heard by the Tribunal with immediate effect.
Guidance Note on Sanction – 11th Edition
Non Party Disclosure Policy (NPD)
Further to the introduction of the Automatic Disclosure Policy (ADP) amendments have been made to the NPD.
Applications will now be considered by a clerk on receipt with a route of appeal to a member panel.