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Facilitation payments under the Bribery Act 2010

Facilitating the performance of a duty by public officialsFacilitation payments, also known as facilitating or grease payments, are generally small...

What is a solicitor's undertaking?

An undertaking is a commitment by a solicitor to do something. It can be enforced against the solicitor by the courts. Failure to comply with an...

Active bribery, passive bribery and bribing foreign public officials

The purpose of this Practice Note is to provide a general understanding of the offences under section 1, 2 and 6 of the Bribery Act 2010 (BA 2010). It...

High-risk third countries tracker

This Practice Note lists high-risk third countries identified by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), HM Treasury and the European Commission as...

Precedents

Modern slavery: contract clauses

1DefinitionsModern Slavery Policy•means the Customer's anti-slavery and human trafficking policy as set out in Schedule [insert] as updated by the...

9th Nov

In-house

Practice notes

AML and counter-terrorist financing—source of funds

Source of funds and wealth was a key focus of the SRA’s Preventing Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism thematic review, published in March...

9th Nov

In-house

Practice notes

Introduction to retained EU law

This Practice Note provides an introduction to retained EU law, which is an entirely new legal concept introduced to UK domestic law in preparation...

9th Nov

Brexit

Precedents

Standard contractual clauses—set II—controller to controller (Model Clauses)

DRAFTING FOR BREXIT: For the latest information on the impact of Brexit on the drafting, negotiation and enforceability of this Precedent, see...

9th Nov

Precedents

Anti-bribery and corruption for law firms—post-training assessment questions

How to use this testThese questions are designed to test your understanding after your attendance at our training on avoiding bribery and...

9th Nov

Practice notes

Compliance officer for legal practice—COLP—title and duties 2011 [Archived]

The compliance officer for legal practice (COLP) sits at the heart of the firm's regulatory arrangements. This does not mean that the firm and its...

9th Nov

Most recent Client care & complaints content

Precedents

Consent to process personal data—sample wording

1Consent to terms and conditions—not data processing consent[Insert Terms and conditions you are seeking consent for, eg your T&Cs in relation to the...

20th Nov

Q&As

Do I have to update my terms of business or client care letter for GDPR?

Most firms will find that their retainer documentation does not satisfy the information requirements in the GDPR. See Practice Note: GDPR...

20th Nov

Precedents

Client care letter 2019—law firms

[Letterhead]Dear [Insert client’s name]Re [describe matter]Thank you for your instructions to act on your behalf in connection with [describe matter]....

20th Nov

Precedents

General retainer—non-litigation 2011 [Archived]

LetterheadDear [insert client's name]ReThis general retainer letter and the attached Terms of Business explain the basis on which we will be acting...

20th Nov

Q&As

Do I have to provide a privacy notice to an individual instructing us on behalf of a corporate client?

This response is written on the basis of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The GDPR applies when you process personal data, ie:‘any...

20th Nov

Precedents

Client care letter—law firms 2011 [Archived]

LetterheadDear [insert client's name]Re [describe matter]Thank you for your instructions to act on your behalf in connection with [describe matter]....

20th Nov

Precedents

Letter to instructing officer enclosing privacy policy

Thank you for providing instructions on behalf of [insert corporate client’s name] in relation to [insert description of matter].We are required to...

20th Nov

Precedents

General retainer 2019

[Letterhead]Dear [insert client’s name]Re [insert summary of the scope of services covered by the general retainer]This general retainer letter and...

20th Nov

Precedents

Terms of business 2019—law firms

1Our contract with you1.1These Terms of Business (as updated from time to time) apply to all work we do on your behalf. It is an important...

20th Nov

Precedents

Terms of business—law firms 2011 [Archived]

The purpose of this document is to confirm the arrangements between us. [Although your continuing instructions in this matter will amount to your...

20th Nov

Precedents

General retainer—commercial litigation 2011 [Archived]

LetterheadDear [insert client's name]Re: [insert]This general retainer letter and the attached Terms of Business explain the basis on which we will be...

20th Nov

Precedents

Privacy policy—law firms and professional services

We take your privacy very seriously. Please read this privacy policy carefully as it contains important information on who we are and how and why we...

20th Nov

Precedents

Letter notifying client of new privacy policy

In May 2018, the way in which we are required to treat your personal data [changed OR is changing], as a result of the General Data Protection...

20th Nov

Practice notes

Coronavirus (COVID-19)—guidance for law firms

This Practice Note reflects advice, guidance and updates issued by the SRA and Law Society on the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on the...

18th Nov

COVID-19

Practice notes

Chronological list of changes to client care letter and TOB

This Practice Note contains a chronological list of substantive changes to our Client care letter 2019—law firms and Terms of business 2019—law firms...

17th Nov

Q&As

When making a data subject access request to a law firm, is a client entitled to copies of the firm’s own internal communications relating to allegations of negligence by the client against the firm? Is the answer the same for a client complaint rather than an actual or potential claim?

Personal data that is subject to a duty of client confidentiality or contained within communications that are considered to be legally privileged may...

Produced in partnership with Peter Steel of Augury Consulting Limited 9th Nov

Precedents

Client care manual 2019

1Introduction1.1Client care is central to the regulatory regime under which we operate. [Insert name of firm] is committed to providing a good...

4th Nov

Precedents

Client care policy 2011 [Archived]

1Introduction1.1Client care is central to the regulatory regime under which we operate. [Insert name of firm] is committed to providing a good...

4th Nov

Precedents

Client care manual—annual review

1General informationDate of annual review[Insert date]Person(s) conducting annual review[Insert name(s)]2Review and findingsAre your client care...

4th Nov

Q&As

Is it mandatory to refer to the firm's complaints partner in its terms of business?

Practice Notes: Complaints 2019—law firms and Client care letter and terms of business 2019—information requirements set out information requirements...

29th Oct