The SRA has imposed wide-ranging conditions on a solicitor’s practising certificate
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has imposed conditions on the practising certificate of a solicitor, restricting his ability to manage a law firm, handle client money or practise independently.
The decision was made on 14 October 2025 and published on 8 January 2026. The outcome was reached by an SRA decision and applies to the solicitor’s practising certificate for the 2024 to 2025 practising year.
The solicitor concerned is John Hamilton. At the time of the matters giving rise to the outcome, he practised at Hamiltons, based on St Pauls Street in Leeds. That firm is authorised under SRA ID 77864. At the date of publication, he is recorded as being associated with MIR Legal Ltd in Bradford, authorised under SRA ID 569502.
Under the conditions imposed, Mr Hamilton is prohibited from acting as a manager or owner of any authorised body. He is also barred from providing legal services on his own account under regulations 10.2(a) or (b) of the SRA Authorisation of Individuals Regulations.
The conditions further prevent him from acting as a compliance officer for legal practice or as a compliance officer for finance and administration for any authorised body. In addition, he must not hold, receive or have access to client money.
The restrictions also prevent him from acting as a signatory to any client or office account, or from having the authority to approve electronic transfers from such accounts. The SRA confirmed that the terms used in the conditions are defined in the SRA Glossary.
In its published reasons, the regulator stated that the conditions are necessary in the public interest. It said they are reasonable and proportionate when assessed against the purposes set out in regulation 7 of the SRA Authorisation of Individuals Regulations.
The SRA also referred to the regulatory objectives and principles governing regulatory activity under section 28 of the Legal Services Act 2007. No further detail was provided about the specific matters that led to the imposition of the conditions.
The decision does not represent a final disciplinary finding. Practising certificate conditions may be imposed to manage regulatory risk and protect the public while issues are addressed through ongoing processes.
Mr Hamilton remains entitled to practise within the scope of the imposed restrictions. The SRA has not published a timetable for any review or variation of the conditions.