Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal
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Appointment of Tribunal Members: Further Particulars

The Tribunal is not currently seeking new members.

Job Description

1. The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal 

The Tribunal constituted by statute under the Solicitors Act 1974 has power to impose sanctions upon solicitors who are proven to have been in breach of the rules governing their profession or who have been found to have been guilty of professional misconduct. The Tribunal also has power to restore a struck off solicitor to the Roll and to make orders controlling the future employment of solicitors' employees within the solicitors' profession. The Tribunal's procedures are regulated by the Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2007 (S.I. No. 3588 of 2007).

All appointments of lay members and solicitor members are made by the Master of the Rolls. Solicitor members must be of 10 years standing and may not be members of the Council of the Law Society or have any connection with the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Lay members are appointed to the Tribunal to ensure that the interests of the public are recognised. Appointment is for a 3 year term (subject to renewal).

2. Tribunal Members - Principal Functions

(i) To rule upon allegations of misconduct and breaches of the Code and regulations for the solicitors' profession and on the facts and merits of each case and exercise statutory powers as appropriate in a formal court environment. The Tribunal hearings are conducted in public.

(ii) To decide whether written originating applications disclose a case to answer. To be undertaken by solicitor members on a regular basis and occasionally by lay members.

3. Average Attendance Requirements

Sittings of the Tribunal involve two solicitor and one lay member and members can expect to sit once every 3 - 4 weeks plus occasional attendance at long hearings of several days some of which might run for two to three weeks, all members are expected to sit on a long case from time to time.

4. Training

Tribunal members will be expected to maintain and strengthen skills relevant to the task and to keep up to date on matters of professional conduct and the statutory rules. Attendance at training sessions, briefings and for judicial training from time to time will be required.

5. Expenses

(i) Solicitor Members

Solicitor members are remunerated at the rate of £575 per sitting day and out of pocket and general expenses are recoverable.

(ii) Lay Members

Lay members are remunerated at the rate of £265 per sitting day (currently under review) and out of pocket and general expenses are recoverable.

6. Equal Opportunities

The Tribunal welcomes applications from all sections of the community irrespective of gender, race, colour, sexuality, or disability and across all age ranges. The Tribunal seeks solicitor and lay members with wide and different experience and from a wide geographical area.

7. Person Specification

All those appointed will need to be able to demonstrate the following qualities:-

  • sound analytical skills, and ability to evaluate facts
  • ability to assert a point of view while listening with respect to others
  • ability to command the respect of others at all levels
  • have an understanding of complex problems
  • be articulate, clear and concise
  • have a sense of justice, fairness and commitment to public service
  • be reliable and able to devote sufficient time to the business of the Tribunal and in particular be available to sit on long cases from time to time.

 

 

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