Appeals from the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal

If you receive an adverse decision from the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (“SDT”), we’ll consider carefully with you whether you should appeal any of its findings or the severity of the sanction.

Either side has a statutory right of appeal to the High Court against a decision of the SDT, whether on the substance of the decision or the order as to costs. There is no requirement for permission to appeal.

However, the threshold for overturning an appeal in the context of disciplinary proceedings is quite high, as set out in the CPR and in case law, and the High Court will usually be wary of interfering with the conclusions of an expert professional tribunal.