Regulator limits practising rights under public interest protections
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has imposed practising restrictions on a solicitor following a regulatory decision issued in the public interest. According to a decision published on 6 May 2026, Sikandar Zahid’s practising certificate for 2025/2026 is now subject to a condition limiting how he may work as a solicitor.
Under the restriction, Zahid may practise only as an employee and only where the employment has first been approved by the SRA. The regulator stated that the condition was imposed following an SRA decision dated 26 March 2026. No firm details were provided in the published outcome notice.
The SRA said the restriction was considered necessary in the public interest and was proportionate in accordance with the purposes set out under regulation 7 of the SRA Authorisation of Individuals Regulations. The regulator also referred to the wider regulatory objectives and principles governing legal regulation under section 28 of the Legal Services Act 2007.
Practising certificate conditions are regulatory controls used by the SRA where it considers restrictions are required to protect the public, clients or confidence in the legal profession. Such conditions can limit the environments in which solicitors may work or restrict their ability to manage firms, supervise finances or operate independently.
In this case, the restriction means Zahid cannot practise independently or in a role not specifically approved by the regulator. The SRA has not published further details regarding the circumstances that led to the condition being imposed.
Regulatory conditions of this nature may remain in place pending further investigations or longer-term regulatory outcomes. The SRA regularly publishes regulatory decisions involving practising certificate conditions, interventions and disciplinary actions as part of its transparency obligations and public protection role.
The regulator’s published notice stated that the restriction was reasonable and proportionate when assessed against statutory regulatory objectives, including protecting consumers and maintaining public confidence in legal services. No further sanctions or findings were included in the published decision.