How high a hurdle?

Under r 7.7 of the Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2011, where the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) makes a disciplinary decision itself without referring the matter to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT), the civil standard is expressly applied. The rules are silent, however, as to the applicable standard in cases referred to the SDT. This contrasts with the rules governing proceedings before the Bar Disciplinary Tribunal, which specify that the criminal standard of proof is to be applied (see reg 11 of the Disciplinary Tribunals Regulations 2009). In the absence of statutory provision for the SDT, it is for the common law to determine the applicable standard.

This issue was raised, but not decided, in Richards v The Law Society [2009] EWHC 2087 (Admin). In that case, the Law Society maintained that the criminal standard applied, while the SRA contended for the civil standard. Sir Anthony May held that the issue