Solicitor restricted to SRA-approved employment under interim conditions
According to a decision published on 30 October 2025, Mr Settle’s practising certificate for the 2024/2025 year is now subject to specific conditions limiting the scope of his work as a solicitor.
The SRA decision, dated 28The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has imposed interim practising conditions on Andrew Settle, a solicitor previously practising with Sandstone Legal Limited in Leeds.
October 2025, states that Mr Settle may act as a solicitor only as an employee, and only in circumstances where his employment has first been approved by the SRA.
The regulator confirmed that these conditions were imposed under Rule 3.2 of the SRA Regulatory and Disciplinary Procedure Rules, which permits authorised decision-makers to impose interim practising restrictions pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation or disciplinary process.
The SRA explained that the restrictions were introduced in line with public interest considerations and “for the protection of the public”. The conditions will remain in effect until a final decision is made by either the SRA or the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT).
Embed from Getty ImagesNo further details were provided regarding the circumstances leading to the imposition of the interim restrictions.
The regulator’s published notice reads:
“The above interim conditions are made under rule 3.2 of the SRA Regulatory and Disciplinary Procedure Rules, which states that at any stage an authorised decision maker may, pending a final decision by the SRA or the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, impose interim conditions on the practising certificate of a solicitor. We are satisfied that these conditions are necessary in the public interest or for the protection of the public.”
Mr Settle’s firm at the time of the matters giving rise to the decision was Sandstone Legal Limited, located at Unit 4, Madison Court, Leeds, LS10 1DX. The firm holds the SRA authorisation number 808140.
The published outcome confirms that the SRA reached its decision through an internal regulatory process rather than a disciplinary hearing, and that the conditions are interim, not final. Such restrictions are typically used by the regulator where it considers immediate safeguards necessary while a full investigation or tribunal process is ongoing.
Under the SRA’s framework, interim practising conditions may restrict where and how a solicitor can work, prohibit them from holding managerial or compliance roles, or limit access to client money, depending on the circumstances.
While the notice does not indicate that any disciplinary findings have been made, it states that the regulator deemed the measure both reasonable and proportionate in protecting the public and maintaining confidence in the legal profession.
All interim decisions of this nature remain subject to review, and any further regulatory or tribunal outcomes will be published by the SRA in due course.
The SRA’s Regulatory and Disciplinary Procedure Rules set out that decisions to impose interim conditions must balance the solicitor’s right to practise with the need to mitigate potential risks. The rules also permit affected individuals to request a review of interim conditions where they believe the restrictions are no longer necessary or proportionate.
At the time of publication, Mr Settle remains entitled to practise law within the conditions imposed, subject to SRA approval of his employment.
The SRA said no further comment would be made while the matter remains under regulatory consideration.