Your client & the court

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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’

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