What are the SRA Principles?

• A. Confidentiality is the sole standard
• B. Independence and fairness
• C. Integrity, independence, fairness, and acting in the best interests of clients and the court
• D. No defined standards

Answer: (C)

The SRA Principles are high-level standards that guide how solicitors should conduct themselves, balancing duties to clients with duties to the justice system. They include integrity, independence, fairness, and acting in the best interests of clients and the court. Integrity means being honest and straightforward in all professional dealings. Independence ensures decisions aren’t swayed by outside pressures or conflicts of interest. Fairness covers treating everyone—clients, opponents, and the court—honestly and reasonably. Acting in the best interests of clients and the court ties the client’s interests to the duty to uphold justice and the proper administration of law, not just winning for the client.

Confidentiality is important, but it’s not the sole standard governing solicitor conduct. Focusing only on independence and fairness misses two other essential principles (integrity and the duty to the court). Saying there are no defined standards is inaccurate because the SRA sets out these guiding principles to regulate professional conduct.