The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) was established to "protect the public and to maintain the reputation of the solicitors' profession for honesty, probity, trustworthiness, independence and integrity."As such, the SDT has the power to strike off a solicitor from the roll, suspend a solicitor from practice, fine or reprimand a solicitor or make such other order as it thinks fit. Whilst over 90% of all cases brought before the SDT are brought by the SRA, it is open to anyone to bring a matter before it.This book provides a unique step-by-step guide to the law and practice of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, from the issue of proceedings through to appeal. Its practical approach will help anyone who wishes to avoid the common pitfalls faced by unfamiliar users of the Tribunal.It is the only comprehensive book available on SDT proceedings and it contains all the leading cases on Tribunal proceedings, many of which are not available on the internet, in one handy volume.

Author Biography

Nigel Westis head of the Solicitors Disciplinary Group at RadcliffesLeBrasseur. The firm is recognised as a Tier I firm for Professional Discipline in Chambers and the Legal 500. He is also the head of commercial litigation and a partner in the firm.Nigel has acted for solicitors facing disciplinary proceedings for over twenty years. He sits as a defence representative on the Tribunal's User Group and he is a member of the Law Society's Regulatory Processes Committee. He is also the cases editor for the Law Society's Legal Compliance Bulletin.Susanna Heley is a partner in the Solicitors Disciplinary Group at RadcliffesLeBrasseur. Susanna regularly appears as a defence advocate in the Tribunal and she has lectured on solicitors' regulatory matters in England and Europe. She is a former president of the City of Westminster and Holborn Law Society and she is the secretary of the Solicitor's Assistance Scheme.