SRA restricts Andrew Oyearu to approved employment only
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has imposed conditions on the practising certificate of Andrew Onyearu following a regulatory decision made in the public interest.
Mr Onyearu, admitted as a solicitor under SRA number 162010, is subject to the control of practice conditions effective from 16 January 2026. The decision was published on 17 February 2026.
At the time of the matters giving rise to the outcome, Mr Onyearu was practising at Andrews, located at 90 to 92 Rye Lane, London SE15 4RZ, firm ID 264637.
Under the terms of the decision, Mr Onyearu’s practising certificate for the 2025 to 2026 practising year is subject to two key conditions.
First, he is not permitted to act as a manager or owner of an authorised body. This restriction prevents him from holding a position of control within a regulated legal practice.
Second, subject to that restriction, he may act as a solicitor only as an employee in a role that has first been approved by the SRA. Any employment must receive prior regulatory approval before he can undertake legal practice in that capacity.
The SRA confirmed that the outcome was reached by regulatory decision rather than by referral to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
In setting out its reasons, the regulator stated that the conditions are necessary in the public interest. It determined that the measures are reasonable and proportionate, having regard to regulation 7 of the SRA Authorisation of Individuals Regulations. The decision also takes into account the regulatory objectives and principles governing regulatory activities under section 28 of the Legal Services Act 2007.
The conditions restrict Mr Onyearu’s ability to control or manage a law firm but do not prevent him from practising altogether, provided he complies with the employment approval requirement.
Control of practice outcomes of this nature is designed to manage regulatory risk while allowing continued supervised practice under defined parameters. The SRA has not indicated any further disciplinary action in relation to this decision.