SRA Handbook

Back to version 21

Version 3 of the Handbook was published on 20/04/2012. For more information, please click 'History' Above

Part 1: General

Rule 1: Purpose

1.1

The purpose of these rules is to set the standard for professional conduct in the context of European cross-border practice.

Rule 2: Application

2.1

In these rules:

(a)

European cross-border practice means:

(i)

professional activity in a CCBE state other than the UK, whether or not you are physically present in that CCBE state; and

(ii)

any professional contact with a lawyer of a CCBE state other than the UK.

(b)

Professional contacts and professional activities taking place within a firm or in-house legal department do not constitute European cross-border practice.

2.2

These rules apply to European cross-border practice from any office by:

(a)

solicitors;

(b)

managers of authorised bodies who are lawyers of England and Wales;

(c)

non-lawyer managers of authorised bodies;

(d)

managers of authorised bodies who are registered with the Bar Standards Board under the Establishment Directive; and

(e)

authorised bodies.

2.3

These rules also apply to European cross-border practice from an office in England and Wales by:

(a)

RELs ; registered European lawyers ( REL); and

(b)

any registered foreign lawyer (RFL)who is a manager or an employee of an authorised body.