Updated Practice Direction in respect of Remote and Hybrid Hearings
In response to the coronavirus outbreak the Tribunal introduced remote hearings. Whilst the majority of hearings will continue to take place remotely for the foreseeable future the Tribunal will be listing a small number of “hybrid” hearings at Gate House from September 2020.
The Tribunal’s offices and courtrooms at Gate House are currently closed until further notice in light of the coronavirus outbreak. Please do not attend the Tribunal until further notice.
The SDT published its Annual Report for 2019 on 24 July 2020.
The Report shows that the SDT received a total of 137 applications in 2019, including 10 lay applications from members of the public against solicitors. It sat for 308 days and heard 144 cases.
Jacqueline Devonish, Solicitor Member of the SDT since August 2006, has resigned with effect from 30 June 2020. In her time at the Tribunal Jacqueline has chaired many high profile and complex cases.
Following representations the Policy Committee has reconsidered its decision not to publish the responses received in relation to the above consultation. The Tribunal has now approved publication of the responses to the consultation.
Between 26 November 2019 and 10 January 2020 the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (“the Tribunal”) consulted on proposed amendments to its Policy on the Supply of Documents from Tribunal Records to a Non-Party (“the Policy”). The Tribunal is very grateful to the organisations and individuals who
Publication of Updated Judgment Publication Policy
On 6 May 2020 the SDT’s Policy Committee, led by the President of the Tribunal Edward Nally, published an updated version of the SDT’s Judgment Publication policy. The minor amendments update references to include the current version of the Tribunal’s disciplinary proceedings rules (SI 2019/1185)
The Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) (Amendment) Rules 2020
Following the making of the Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019 (“SDPR”) it was necessary to amend the SDPR to alter Exit Day to IP Completion Day due to the United Kingdom leaving the European Union on 31 January 2020 and entering a transition period.
Practice Direction and User Guidance in respect of Remote Hearings
In response to the current coronavirus outbreak the Tribunal has introduced remote hearings. To assist all parties the Tribunal has issued a Practice Direction dated 15 April 2020 in respect of remote hearings and a Zoom User Guide for those participating in remote hearings.
Retirement of Nicola Lucking and Stuart Hill
March has seen the retirement of two of the SDT’s Members. Nicola Lucking, Solicitor Member of the SDT since 2006, retired on 17 March 2020 and Stuart Hill, Lay Member of the SDT since 2009, retired on 23 March 2020.