Our Solicitors Disciplinary Defence team consists of specialists who undertake defence work for individual solicitors and firms faced with Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) investigations.
If you find yourself at the centre of an SRA investigation or prosecution, our specialist Solicitors Disciplinary Defence team will support you through every stage to take the stress out of the situation.
From an initial interview with an investigating officer or an inspection of the firm's books of account, through to contested hearings you will have a first class team around you, led by the well-regarded Ian Ryan, who will provide guidance and expert opinion throughout the whole process.
A significant proportion of matters acted on by the team have been concluded without misconduct findings or a referral to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. This is imperative to the reputation of individual solicitors and firms and remains front of mind for us.
The team also advises on issues of legal professional privilege, responding to Section 44b Notices from the SRA, and on any other issue where a solicitor's firm has to deal with a regulator or enforcement agency.
The team is headed by Ian Ryan. He has over 20 years' experience of solicitors' disciplinary work and is a specialist in dealing with SRA investigations. Ian brings the unique insight he gained as a member of the SRA's panel of prosecuting solicitors between 1997 and 2012, to his representation of solicitors and solicitors' firms under investigation. He continues to advise solicitors and other professionals on complying with AML regulations; making suspicious activity reports to the NCA; and the operation of the money laundering regime.Ian is a specialist in money laundering having previously been a member of the Law Society's Money Laundering taskforce. He remains on the Law Society's special panel of solicitors advising members of the profession on AML issues. He also revised the money laundering chapter for the Solicitors Handbook 2015 (Hopper and Treverton-Jones).
If you need support, contact Ian Ryan on 0203 755 5691 or ian.ryan@howardkennedy.com for a confidential discussion as to your options.
Acting for two partners at a multi-national City firm on a serious SRA investigation that was concluded without any finding of misconduct or sanction.
Acting for a partner at a City firm facing allegations of misusing confidential information when moving from one firm to another. The investigation concluded with an internal SRA rebuke.
Acting for a partner at a City firm facing allegations of dishonesty. The investigation was concluded without any finding of misconduct or sanction.
Acting for a partner at a City firm facing allegations of misleading a court. The investigation was concluded without any finding of misconduct or sanction.
Acting for a partner of a City firm facing serious allegations of misuse of client funds.
Our Team
Working closely with you, we'll find the best way to get you quickly and easily from where you are to where you want to be.
