Date post: | 22-Jun-2015 |
Category: |
Business |
Upload: | richard-nelson-llp |
View: | 202 times |
Download: | 0 times |
Outcomes Focused RegulationThe move to risk-based system
Outcomes Focused RegulationThe move to a risk-based system
ContentsOverviewThe SRA HandbookThe Ten PrinciplesThe Code of ConductPractice Management Issues
ComplaintsEquality and DiversityManagement of the BusinessReporting Obligations – COLPs and COFAs
Outcomes Focused RegulationThe move to a risk-based system
Outcomes Focused RegulationThe move to a risk-based system
Why is it important?
“3.1 ...... the Principles apply to you, in relation to your activities carried out from an office in England and Wales, if you are a solicitor ...... manager, employee or owner of a [recognised] body .... an employee of a sole practitioner .....[or] any other person who is a manager of employee...”
Outcomes Focused RegulationThe move to a risk-based system
What is OFR?OFR is a risk-based approach to regulation whereby:•The needs of the client come first (subject to interests of public as a whole);•The firm is encouraged to achieve an outcome which benefits the client;•The firm is expected to create policies and procedures which achieve this.
Outcomes Focused RegulationThe move to a risk-based system
THE SRA Handbook
8 sections:• The Principles,• The SRA Code of Conduct,• The Accounts Rules,• Authorisation and Practising Requirements,• Client Protection,• Disciplinary and Cost Recovery,• Specialist Services,• Glossary
Outcomes Focused RegulationThe move to a risk-based system
The Ten Principles1. Uphold the rule of law and the proper administration of justice,2. Act with integrity,3. Don’t allow your independence to be compromised,4. Act in the best interests of each client,5. Provide a proper standard of service to your clients,6. Behave in a way that maintains the trust the public places in you
and in the provision of legal services ,7. Comply with your legal and regulatory obligations and deal with
your regulators and ombudsmen in an open, timely and co-operative manner,
8. Run your business or carry out your role in the business effectively and in accordance with proper governance and sound financial and risk management principles,
9. Run your business or carry out your role in the business in a way that encourages equality of opportunity and respect for diversity, and
10. Protect client money and assets
Outcomes Focused RegulationThe move to a risk-based system
The Code of Conduct• You and Your Client• You and Your Business• You and Your Regulator• You and Others• Application, Waivers and Interpretation
Outcomes Focused RegulationThe move to a risk-based system
You and Your Client• Client Care• Equality and Diversity• Conflicts of Interest• Confidentiality and Disclosure• Your Client and the Court• Your Client and Introductions to Third Parties
Outcomes Focused RegulationThe move to a risk-based system
Other SectionsSection 2 – You and Your BusinessManagement of Your BusinessPublicityFee Sharing and Referrals
Section 3 – You and Your Regulator
Section4 – You and OthersRelations with Third PartiesSeparate Businesses
Section 5- Applications, Waivers and InterpretationApplication and Waivers provisionsInterpretation
Outcomes Focused RegulationThe move to a risk-based system
Chapter Structure• Pre-amble• Outcomes• Indicative behaviours
Outcomes Focused RegulationThe move to a risk-based system
Client Care OutcomesTreat clients fairlyProvide services in a way
that protects interestsComply with law and code
when terminating retainerHave adequate skills and
resourcesDeliver services
competently and taking account of client needs
Fee agreements to be legal and in best interests of clients
Inform clients of how services are regulated
Provide PII
Written information given on complaints
Information about LeO givenComplaints dealt with
promptlyClients put in position to
make informed decisionsClients given information as
to costsClients told about
challenging billsAccount to clients for
financial benefitsInform clients of acts or
omissions which might give them a claim against firm
Outcomes Focused RegulationThe move to a risk-based system
ComplaintsO(1.9) clients are informed in writing at the outset
of their matter of their right to complain and how complaints can be made;
O(1.10) clients are informed in writing, both at the time of engagement and at the conclusion of your complaints procedure, of their right to complain to the Legal Ombudsman, the time frame for doing so and full details of how to contact the Legal Ombudsman;
O(1.11) clients' complaints are dealt with promptly, fairly, openly and effectively;
Outcomes Focused RegulationThe move to a risk-based system
Equality and Diversity• Age• Disability• Gender Reassignment• Marriage and Civil Partnership• Pregnancy and Maternity• Race• Religion or Belief• Sex• Sexual Orientation
Outcomes Focused RegulationThe move to a risk-based system
Discriminatory Activities• Direct Discrimination• Discrimination by Association• Discrimination by Perception• Indirect Discrimination• Harassment• Harassment by a Third Party• Victimisation+• Failure to make reasonable adjustment
Outcomes Focused RegulationThe move to a risk-based system
Code Requirementsnot to discriminate unlawfully, or victimise or harass
anyone, in the course of professional dealings;to provide services to clients in a way that respects
diversity;to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that
disabled clients, employees or managers are not placed at a substantial disadvantage compared to those who are not disabled, and that the costs of these adjustments are not passed on to the person with the disability;
ensure that the approach to recruitment and employment encourages equality of opportunity and respect for diversity;
ensure that complaints of discrimination are dealt with promptly, fairly, openly, and effectively
Outcomes Focused RegulationThe move to a risk-based system
Management of the business have a clear and effective governance structure and reporting lines;
have effective systems and controls in place to achieve and comply with all the Principles, rules and outcomes and other requirements of the Handbook, where applicable;
identify, monitor and manage risks to compliance with all the Principles, rules and outcomes and other requirements of the Handbook, if applicable to you, and take steps to address issues identified;
maintain systems and controls for monitoring the financial stability of your firm and risks to money and assets entrusted to you by clients and others, and you take steps to address issues identified;
comply with legislation applicable to your business, including anti-money laundering and data protection legislation;
Outcomes Focused RegulationThe move to a risk-based system
Management of the Businesstrain individuals working in the firm to maintain a level of
competence appropriate to their work and level of responsibility;
comply with the statutory requirements for the direction and supervision of reserved legal activities and immigration work;
have a system for supervising clients' matters, to include the regular checking of the quality of work by suitably competent and experienced people;
not outsource reserved legal activities to a person who is not authorised to conduct such activities;
Outcomes Focused RegulationThe move to a risk-based system
Management of the Businesssubject to Outcome 7.9, where you outsource legal activities or
any operational functions that are critical to the delivery of any legal activities, you ensure such outsourcing: does not adversely affect your ability to comply with, or the SRA's ability
to monitor your compliance with, your obligations in the Handbook; is subject to contractual arrangements that enable the SRA or its agent
to obtain information from, inspect the records (including electronic records) of, or enter the premises of, the third party, in relation to the outsourced activities or functions;
does not alter your obligations towards your clients; and does not cause you to breach the conditions with which you must
comply in order to be authorised and to remain so.
Outcomes Focused RegulationThe move to a risk-based system
Management and Reporting Obligations• Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP)
▫Compliance with authorisation and rules (except Accounts Rules)
▫Compliance with statutory obligations▫Recording of failures to comply▫Accounting to SRA for failures
• Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration▫Compliance with Accounts Rules▫Recording of failures to comply▫Accounting to SRA for failures