This practice note is the Law Society's view of good practice in this area. It is not legal advice.

Practice notes are issued by the Law Society for the use and benefit of its members. They represent the Law Society's view of good practice in a particular area. They are not intended to be the only standard of good practice that solicitors can follow. You are not required to follow them, but doing so will make it easier to account to oversight bodies for your actions.

Practice notes are not legal advice, nor do they necessarily provide a defence to complaints of misconduct or of inadequate professional service. While care has been taken to ensure that they are accurate, up to date and useful, the Law Society will not accept any legal liability in relation to them.

For queries or comments on this practice note contact the Law Society's Practice Advice Service.

Professional conduct

The following sections of the SRA Code are relevant to this issue:

• Principles 1-10
• Chapter 1 Client Care  

SRA Principles

There are ten mandatory principles which apply to all those the SRA regulates and to all aspects of practice. The principles can be found in the SRA Handbook.

The principles apply to solicitors or managers of authorised bodies who are practising from an office outside the UK. They also apply if you are a lawyer-controlled body practising from an office outside the UK.

Must - A specific requirement in legislation or of a principle, rule, outcome or other mandatory provision in the SRA Handbook. You must comply, unless there are specific exemptions or defences provided for in relevant legislation or the SRA Handbook.

Should - Outside of a regulatory context, good practice for most situations in the Law Society's view. In the case of the SRA Handbook, an indicative behaviour or other non-mandatory provision (such as may be set out in notes or guidance).

These may not be the only means of complying with legislative or regulatory requirements and there may be situations where the suggested route is not the best possible route to meet the needs of your client. However, if you do not follow the suggested route, you should be able to justify to oversight bodies why the alternative approach you have taken is appropriate, either for your practice, or in the particular retainer.

May - A non-exhaustive list of options for meeting your obligations or running your practice. Which option you choose is determined by the profile of the individual practice, client or retainer. You may be required to justify why this was an appropriate option to oversight bodies.

SRA Code - SRA Code of Conduct 2011

2007 Code - Solicitors' Code of Conduct 2007

OFR - Outcomes-focused regulation

SRA - Solicitors Regulation Authority

Outcome - Outcome

IB - Indicative behaviour

The Law Society also provides a full glossary of other terms used throughout this practice note

1. Introduction
   1. Who should read this practice note?
   2. What is the issue?
    
2. The protocol
   1. Aims of the protocol
   2. Status of the protocol
   3. Scope of the protocol
    
3. Requirements of the protocol
   1. Information lenders must give borrowers
   2. Discussion between lenders and borrowers
   3. Referral to other agencies
    
4. When can the lender start a possession claim?
   1. Postponing the start of a possession claim
    
5. Enforcement of the protocol
   1. Possible consequences of non-compliance
   2. Costs
    
6. Contractual right to enforce security
7. he borrower's tenants
   1. Providing notice
   2. The rights of the tenant against the lender
    
8. Use of Part 36 offers
9. \the Mortgage Rescue Scheme
   1. Eligibility for assistance
   2. How the scheme works
    
10. Homeowners Mortgage Support
11. Changes to income support rules
12. Regulation of the mortgage industry
    1. Dealing with customers in arrears
    2. The Mortgage Code - mortgages sold before 31 October 2004
    3. The Financial Ombudsman Service
     
13. More information
    1. Legal and other requirements
    2. Further products and support