What are the SRA rules for nq solicitors being left unsupervised for weeks at a time
Submitted by Quantum on Mon, 21/06/2010 - 22:59
Can anyone tell me the law on this - as I understand it nq solicitors should never be left unsupervised, especially while the principal of the firm is on holiday (this time nearly 3 weeks - he does take several holidays a year). I want to report my principal for doing this and telling me to lie to the Law Society / SRA if they do an audit that there is supervision in place. Any help appreciated - thanks
Supervision and management is
Supervision and management is covered by rule 5 of the Code of Conduct.
If your principal is leaving you to run his practice without supervision while he is on holiday and you are not a person as described in section 5.02 of rule 5 then I would say that there is a breach of that rule.
You should speak to your principal without delay and insist he makes proper arrangements in his absence.
If he refuses you should report this situation to the SRA because clients' interests, inter alia ,may be at risk.
The Law Society run a dedicated help line and you may also seek advice there.
Thanks for your comment. I
Thanks for your comment. I am not the nq solicitor - just the legal secretary, but he has told us both to lie about there being supervision in place to the SRA when and if they do an audit. The nq solicitor is worried that if she doesnt report him - this might affect her career and was told of someone else in a similiar position who made some mistakes as they were left and this person was struck off!
I will tell her to ring the advice line in confidence.