Skip to main content
discipline 3 October 2026

The duty in context

Not misrepresent regulated status profession

The lawyer must not hold out an unregulated business or person as regulated, and must take reasonable steps to prevent clients wrongly believing a third party is regulated.

260 cases 53% strike-off avg suspension 12.8 mo avg fine 51,395 111 with dishonesty finding

How the codes express this duty

E&W Solicitors SRA Principles & Code CCS 8.10; CCS 5.4 strong 173 cases
8.10 You ensure that clients understand whether and how the services you provide are regulated. This includes: ... (c) ensuring that you do not represent any business or employer which is not authorised by the SRA, including any separate business, as being regulated by the SRA.
E&W Barristers BSB Handbook rC83; rC84; rC19.4 strong 5 cases
rC83 If you refer a client to a third party which is not a BSB authorised person or an authorised (non-BSB) person, you must take reasonable steps to ensure that the client is not wrongly led to believe that the third party is subject to regulation by the Bar Standards Board or by another approved regulator. rC84 You must not have a material commercial interest in any organisation which gives the impression of being, or may be reasonably perceived as being, subject to the regulation of the Bar Standards Board ... where it is not so regulated.
Cayman Islands Legal Services Code 2026 no clear equivalent
AU Solicitors Solicitors' Conduct Rules Rule 39.1 partial 20 cases
the solicitor, or law practice... must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the client is clearly informed about the nature and the terms of the services being provided to the client by the solicitor or law practice, including (if applicable) that the services provided by the other entity are not provided by solicitor or the law practice as legal services.
AU Barristers Uniform Barristers Rules no clear equivalent
IE Solicitors Law Society Guide Ch9 — The solicitor as agent for an institution partial 22 cases
If a solicitor holds an agency for an institution, the office of the solicitor should be clearly seen to be the office of a solicitor and not a branch of the organisation from whom the solicitor holds the agency.
IE Barristers Bar Code of Conduct Rule 2.10 partial 22 cases
Barristers shall not abuse the title Barrister-at-Law or where applicable Senior Counsel, but this rule shall not prohibit the disclosure of their professional qualification by Barristers in a manner consistent with the Code and any instrument made under the Code.
JM Attorneys Canons of Professional Ethics Canon II(a) partial 6 cases
An Attorney shall not hold out any person (not qualified to practise as a lawyer) as a partner, associate consultant or Attorney.
JE Lawyers Law Society of Jersey Code no clear equivalent
ON Lawyers LSO Rules of Prof. Conduct r 4.2-1.1; r 6.1-1 commentary [5.1] strong
4.2-1.1 A lawyer marketing legal services shall specifically identify in all marketing materials that they are licensed as a lawyer. [6.1-1 cmt 5.1: A lawyer should ensure that the non-lawyer is identified as such when communicating orally or in writing with clients, licensees, public officials, or with the public generally.]
BC Lawyers BC Code r 4.2-8 strong 12 cases
A lawyer must not list a person not entitled to practise law in British Columbia on any letterhead or in any other marketing activity without making it clear in the marketing activity that the person is not entitled to practise law in British Columbia.
NZ Lawyers Conduct & Client Care Rules r 2.11 / r 14.13 partial
If a lawyer learns that a person is committing an offence by— ... (c) providing legal services in breach of any of sections 21, 22, or 23 of the Act (which relate to persons, not being lawyers, engaging in misleading conduct regarding their right or qualifications to practise law)— the lawyer must immediately report the matter to the Law Society ...
SCO Solicitors LSS Standards of Conduct no clear equivalent
SG Lawyers Professional Conduct Rules 2015 r 33 (Descriptions) partial 3 cases
33 Descriptions
HK Solicitors Solicitors' Guide Principle 13.04 partial
No solicitor shall wilfully and knowingly: (a) act as agent in any action or in any matter in bankruptcy for any unqualified person; or (b) permit his name to be made use of in any such action or matter upon the account or for the profit of any unqualified person; or ... (d) do any other act enabling any unqualified person to appear, act or practise in any respect as a solicitor.
HK Barristers Bar Code of Conduct no clear equivalent

Cases dealing with this duty

Clear

260 decisions · link basis: found breached = a tribunal finding; rule cited = the mapped provision is cited in the decision; text match = high-precision text pattern

  • Manuel Lopez-Martinez
    SDT solicitor 12695/2024 2025-09-10 found breached

    Solicitors Act 1974

    S.43 Order (clerks) 1 PDF View decision
  • (unnamed)
    SDT solicitor 12740/2025 2025-08-22 found breached
    Variation of Conditions on Practising Certificate 1 PDF View decision
  • Kerrison, Robert Francis
    OLSC solicitor Kerrisons Legal Services 2025-08-15 found breached

    Lawyer failed to comply with a notice issued pursuant to s 371 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law (Uniform Law), the Lawyer is the subject of unresolved complaints, the Lawyer’s practising certificate was previously su…

    Refusal to issue Practising Certificate for the practising period ending 30 June 2026 $0.00 Specified Duration: Manager appointed for a period of 2 years Manager Appointed: Yes Manager Appointed View decision
  • Kenneth Woodburn
    SSDT solicitor Kenneth D Woodburn, 16 Forth Street, Edinburgh 2025-08-12 found breached
    conditions No Appeal 1 PDF View decision
  • Rory Peter Heddle Fordyce
    SDT solicitor 12560/2024 2025-07-25 found breached

    Breaches, Client Money, Code of Conduct 2011, Money Laundering Regulations, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2011, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2019, SRA Principles 2011, SRA Principles 2019

    Fine 1 PDF View decision
  • Huggins Lewis Foskett
    SDT solicitor 12702/2024 2025-07-14 found breached

    Breaches, Code of Conduct 2011, Code of Conduct for Firms 2019, Money Laundering Regulations, SRA Principles 2011, SRA Principles 2019

    Fine 1 PDF View decision
  • Feisal Mohammed Raza Sheikh; Maxim Solicitors Limited
    SDT solicitor 12669/2024 2025-06-19 found breached

    Breaches, Code of Conduct 2011, Code of Conduct for Firms 2019, Failures, Money Laundering Regulations, SRA Principles 2011, SRA Principles 2019

    Fine 1 PDF View decision
  • Tolhurst Fisher LLP
    SDT solicitor 12720/2025 2025-05-16 found breached

    Breaches, Code of Conduct 2007, Code of Conduct 2011, Money Laundering Regulations, SRA Principles 2011

    Fine 1 PDF View decision
  • Zahid Akhtar
    SDT solicitor 12518/2023 2025-05-12 found breached

    Authorisation of Individuals Regulations 2019, Breaches, SRA Principles 2019

    Suspend - Fixed Period 1 PDF View decision
  • Mohammed Latif
    BTAS barrister Lincoln's Inn 2025-04-25 found breached
    fine Convened 1 PDF View decision
  • Lynsay Kelly
    SSDT solicitor Lynsay Kelly, 29 St Vincent Crescent, Ayr 2025-04-08 found breached
    strike_off No Appeal 2 PDFs View decision
  • Paul Christopher Flaherty; William John Gregory Osmond
    SDT solicitor 12647/2024 2025-04-01 found breached

    Breaches, Failures, Misappropriation of Client Account, Money Laundering Regulations, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2011, SRA Principles 2011

    Fine, Suspend - Fixed Period 1 PDF View decision
  • Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
    SDT solicitor 12639/2024 2025-03-21 found breached

    Breaches, Code of Conduct 2011, Code of Conduct for Firms 2019, Money Laundering Regulations, SRA Principles 2011, SRA Principles 2019

    Fine 1 PDF View decision
  • Judith Anne Sheehan
    LSC-QLD solicitor Bartley Legal Pty Ltd 2025-03-14 found breached

    The Respondent's conduct with respect to Charges 1,3,4 and 5 constitutes professional misconduct

    Suspended 1 PDF View decision
  • Gregory George Dureault
    LSBC lawyer 2025-02-28 found breached

    Rule 3-7.1 Consent Agreement

    Rule 3-7.1 Consent Agreement 1 PDF View decision
  • Mark Ian Williams
    SDT solicitor 12626/2024 2025-02-18 found breached

    Breaches, Client Money, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, Lack of Integrity, Practice Framework Rules, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2019, SRA Principles 2011, SRA Principles 2019

    Suspend - Fixed Period 1 PDF View decision
  • WGS Solicitors
    SDT solicitor 12616/2024 2025-02-12 found breached

    Breaches, Code of Conduct for Firms 2019, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, SRA Principles 2011, SRA Principles 2019

    Fine 1 PDF View decision
  • Dennis Ko
    SDT solicitor 12538/2024 2024-12-23 found breached

    Breaches, Code of Conduct 2011, Money Laundering Regulations, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2011, SRA Principles 2011

    Fine 1 PDF View decision
  • Matthew Waterfield
    SDT solicitor 12586/2024 2024-10-28 found breached
    S.43 Order (clerks) 1 PDF View decision
  • Ayub Bhailok; Robert Michael Fielding; Bhailok Fielding Solicitors
    SDT solicitor 12548/2024 2024-10-11 found breached

    Breaches, Code of Conduct 2011, Code of Conduct for Firms 2019, Code of Conduct for Solicitors, REL's & RFL's 2019, Failures, Money Laundering Regulations, Solicitors Accounts Rules 2011, SRA Principles 2011, SRA Princi…

    Fine 1 PDF View decision
  • Michael John Potter
    SDT solicitor 12584/2024 2024-09-19 found breached

    Criminal Convictions, Failures, SRA Principles 2019

    Strike off 1 PDF View decision
  • Dentons UK and Middle East LLP
    SDT solicitor 12476/2023 2024-06-21 found breached

    Breaches, Code of Conduct 2011, Money Laundering Regulations, SRA Principles 2011

    Allegations not substantiated 1 PDF View decision
  • Henwood, Deborah Joy
    OLSC solicitor 2024-04-30 found breached

    Failure to furnish any submissions to the Law Society Council detailing why she is a fit and proper person to hold a practising certificate despite (1) the appointment of a Manager to her law practice, Henwood Lawyers, …

    Refusal of grant of practising certificate $0.00 About ​ About the OLSC The Commissioner History Mission statement Structure Contact ​ Contact the OLSC Give us your feedback: online surveys Access to information (GIPAA) Community information ​ Information for lawyers Fact sheets FAQs Other regulatory and complaint-handling organisations Contact LawAccess NSW for legal information " You and Your Lawyer", Hot ​​Topics 78 Legal Information Access Centre (LIAC), State Library of NSW​ , provides access to information about the law in NSW regarding your lawyer Privacy Copyright and Disclaimer Website accessibility View decision
  • Clyde & Co, Edward Henry Mills-Webb
    SDT solicitor 12481/2023 2024-02-21 found breached

    Breaches, Code of Conduct 2011, Money Laundering Regulations, SRA Principles 2011

    Fine 1 PDF View decision
  • Simon Kennedy Duncan (1)
    SSDT solicitor Simon Kennedy Duncan, Solicitor, Flat G/L, 603 Clarkston Road, Glasgow 2024-02-09 found breached
    reprimand No Appeal 1 PDF View decision

Duty classification does not yet cover every jurisdiction (Ontario, New Zealand and Singapore decisions are indexed but not yet duty-classified), so counts here understate those corpora.