The following sections of the SRA Handbook are relevant to this issue: There are ten mandatory principles which apply to all those the SRA regulates and to all aspects of practice. Those relevant here are:

• Principle 2 - 'act with integrity'

• Principle 5 - 'acting in the best interests of each client'

• Principle 6 - 'behave in a way that maintains the trust the public places in you and the provision of legal services'

• Principle 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'

• Principle 10 - 'protect client money and assets'.

SRA Handbook - SRA Outcomes:

• (1.1) You treat your clients fairly.

• (1.2) You provide services to your clients in a manner which protects their interests in their matter, subject to the proper administration of justice.

• (1.12) Clients are in a position to make informed decisions about the services they need, how their matter will be handled and the options available to them.

• (1.16) You inform current clients if you discover any act or omission which could give rise to a claim by them against you.

• (4.2) Any individual who is advising a client makes that client aware of all information material to that retainer of which the individual has personal knowledge.

To effectively secure the protection of, and the provision of choice for, the consumer of legal services, you must at all times comply with the following Overriding Principles:

1. Act with independence and integrity;

2. Maintain high standards of work;

3. Act in the best interests of your Clients;

These are underpinned by principles of behaviour which must be demonstrated and specific requirements which must be complied with in order that the Overriding Principles are supported. Disciplinary proceedings may be taken against you if the CLC believes there has been a breach of this Code, meaning that clients do not receive the standard of legal services they should reasonably expect to receive. The CLC’s response will be informed by the CLC’s Regulatory and Enforcement Policies.

Overriding Principle 1. Act with independence and integrity

Outcomes – you must deliver the following Outcomes:

• 1.1 Clients receive good quality independent information, representation and advice;
• 1.3 Client money is kept separately and safely.

Principles – delivery of these Outcomes requires you to act in a principled way:

• h) You keep Client money safe.