Appeals from Substantive Decisions of the Tribunal

Appeals from substantive decisions of the Tribunal are made to the Administrative Court. The time limit for an appeal is 28 days from the date of receipt of the Tribunal's Judgment. The Tribunal is not a party to an appeal from its substantive decisions. 

For further information on how to appeal, including contact details please click here to be taken to the frequently asked questions page.

Appeals from Decisions of The Law Society to the Tribunal

The Tribunal has power to hear and determine appeals made to it under section 44E of the Solicitors Act 1974 (as amended) and paragraph 14C of Schedule 2 to the Administration of Justice Act 1985 in relation to certain decisions made by The Law Society.  Please refer to the relevant Acts for full details.

On 1 October 2011 The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (Appeals and Amendment) Rules 2011 came into force.

The Rules set out time limits, how appeals panels will be constituted, the procedure to be followed, rules of evidence, and other miscellaneous matters.  They should be considered carefully prior to commencing an appeal.

Alternative Business Structures - Appeals in respect of Decisions of The Law Society under Part 5 of the Legal Services Act 2005

The Tribunal also has power to hear and determine appeals made to it under section 46 of the Solicitors Act 1974 (as amended) as applied by Article 4(3) of the Legal Services Act 2007 (Appeals from Licensing Authority Decisions (No. 2) Order 2011) in respect of decisions of the Law Society under Part 5 of the Legal Services Act 2007 and licensing rules made by the Society.

On 23 December 2011 The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (Appeals) (Amendment) Rules 2011 came into force, extending the SDT (Appeals and Amendment) Rules 2011 referred to above to these appeals.