Your client & the court

Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis

There are numerous relevant regulatory requirements imposed by the SRA in relation to litigation and advocacy. Requirements are contained in the SRA Standards and Regulations and in relevant guidance from the SRA, in particular guidance on conduct in disputes.

For more information, see Practice Note: Your client and the court—regulatory requirements.

What types of litigation are covered?

A 'court' is any court, tribunal or inquiry of England and Wales, a British court martial or any court of another jurisdiction. Technically, alternative methods of resolving disputes (ADR), such as mediation or arbitration, are not conducted before a court. Despite this, it would be wise to adopt the same standards of behaviour for all methods of ADR; remember that the SRA Principles are all pervading and apply to ADR.

SRA Standards and Regulations

The SRA Principles are overriding obligations that should inform everything you do (and do not do). You must always act:

  1. •

    in a way that upholds the constitutional principle of the rule of law and the proper administration of justice

  2. •

    in a way that upholds the public trust and confidence in the solicitors’

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Existing user? Sign-in TAKE A FREE TRIAL
Powered by Lexis+®
Latest Practice Compliance News

FATF announces new mutual evaluation framework to strengthen global illicit finance defences

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has convened  its annual high-level meeting with the nine FATF-Style Regional Bodies (FSRBs) in Strasbourg, announcing the implementation of new mutual evaluations. The Global Network, comprising the FATF and nine FSRBs, representing over 200 jurisdictions, remains committed to combating illicit finance through a unified set of standards and mutual evaluations. The meeting focused on implementing Global Network priorities, particularly preparing members for the upcoming mutual evaluations, which will prioritise effectiveness in tackling money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation risks. All FSRBs aim to complete their first evaluations by late 2026 or early 2027. Additionally, significant emphasis was placed on fostering peer learning, experience sharing and strengthened cohesion within the Global Network, a key priority under the Mexican Presidency.

DSIT welcomes DUA Bill becoming Act of Parliament as DUAA

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has welcomed the Data (Use and Access) Bill (DUA Bill) receiving Royal Assent on 19 June 2025 and becoming law as the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (DUAA). DSIT notes that key measures include enabling real-time sharing of healthcare data across NHS services, saving 140,000 hours of admin annually and improving patient care, and the simplification of digital identity verification through certified tools, aiding tasks like renting or job application. The DUAA also introduces legislation to support investigations into child deaths linked to social media by preserving relevant data. Additionally, DSIT underlines that as mandated by the DUAA, a new Information Commission will replace the ICO, with a recruitment drive underway for its board to ensure diverse expertise.

ICO publishes guidance documents and work plan for Data (Use and Access) Act 2025

The Information Commissioner's Office has published several guidance documents and a working plan following the Data (Use and Access) Bill receiving royal assent on 19 June 2025 and becoming an Act of Parliament as the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (DUAA). The ICO notes that the main changes to the law include clarifying how personal information can be used for research, lifting restrictions on some automated decision making, setting out how to use some cookies without consent, allowing charities to send people electronic mail marketing without consent in certain circumstances and requiring organisations to have a data protection complaints procedure and introducing a new lawful basis of recognised legitimate interests. The ICO also underlines that the DUAA provides it with new powers including the ability to compel witnesses to attend interviews, request technical reports, and issue higher fines.

Data (Use and Access) Bill receives Royal Assent on 19 June 2025

The Data (Use and Access) Bill (DUA) received Royal Assent and became an Act of Parliament on Thursday 19 June 2025. This followed its parliamentary review being finalised on 11 June 2025 and marked the culmination of nearly eight months of parliamentary procedure. Under section 139 of the DUA, most provisions will come into force as and when the Secretary of State appoints regulations. However, a limited number of provisions came into force upon Royal Assent. This included section 78, which relates to reasonable and proportionate searches for data subject access requests. It also included sections 126–128 on the retention of biometric data, and schedule 16 on the grant of energy smart meter communication licences.

View Practice Compliance by content type :  
News
Practice notes
Precedents
Q&As

Popular documents

Undertakings and the court

Undertakings and the courtThis Practice Note explains:•what powers the court has to enforce undertakings•when it is likely to exercise those powersBreach of an undertaking is also likely to be professional misconduct and can be dealt with by the SRA, although the SRA cannot itself enforce compliance

If a rentcharge is shown as being informally exonerated on title information, does this apply to the

If a rentcharge is shown as being informally exonerated on title information, does this apply to the current registered owner? Or does the informal exoneration only apply to the parties to the document which informally exonerated the rentcharge?This Q&A considers the situation where, at some

Late payment penalties—inheritance tax

Late payment penalties—inheritance taxWhile interest often accrues on overdue tax, the late payment of certain taxes may also attract a penalty. For information on the interest accruing on overdue tax, see Practice Notes: IHT—payment deadlines on death—Interest on IHT and Interest on late paid

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal fees, will that count as a PET against their estate?A disclaimer is the refusal of a gift prior to acceptance. The refusal of the gift must take place before the beneficiary accepts any benefit
Undertakings and the court

Undertakings and the court

Undertakings and the courtThis Practice Note explains:•what powers the court has to enforce undertakings•when it is likely to exercise those powersBreach of an undertaking is also likely to be professional misconduct and can be dealt with by the SRA, although the SRA cannot itself enforce compliance

If a rentcharge is shown as being informally exonerated on title information, does this apply to the

If a rentcharge is shown as being informally exonerated on title information, does this apply to the

If a rentcharge is shown as being informally exonerated on title information, does this apply to the current registered owner? Or does the informal exoneration only apply to the parties to the document which informally exonerated the rentcharge?This Q&A considers the situation where, at some

Late payment penalties—inheritance tax

Late payment penalties—inheritance tax

Late payment penalties—inheritance taxWhile interest often accrues on overdue tax, the late payment of certain taxes may also attract a penalty. For information on the interest accruing on overdue tax, see Practice Notes: IHT—payment deadlines on death—Interest on IHT and Interest on late paid

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal

If a beneficiary signs a deed of disclaimer of their share of an estate and the estate pays their legal fees, will that count as a PET against their estate?A disclaimer is the refusal of a gift prior to acceptance. The refusal of the gift must take place before the beneficiary accepts any benefit