The SRA has imposed conditions on a solicitor’s practising certificate following a regulatory decision
A solicitor at the City law firm Wedlake Bell has had conditions imposed on his practising certificate following a regulatory decision by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Peter John Chinery Watts, a solicitor with the roll number 147973, is subject to a control of practice outcome that restricts his professional role. The decision was made on 11 December 2025 and published on 16 January 2026.
According to the regulator, Mr Watts’ practising certificate for the 2025/2026 period is now subject to a specific condition. Under that restriction, he is not permitted to act as a manager or owner of an authorised body, or of an authorised non-SRA firm. The terms used in the condition are defined in the SRA Glossary.
The outcome was reached by way of an SRA decision, rather than through disciplinary tribunal proceedings. No financial penalty or suspension was recorded as part of the published outcome.
At the time of the matters giving rise to the regulatory decision, Mr Watts was practising at Wedlake Bell, based at 52 Bedford Row, London WC1R 4LR. The firm’s SRA identification number is 57446.
In setting out the reasons for the restriction, the SRA stated that the conditions imposed on Mr Watts’ practising certificate were considered necessary in the public interest. The regulator said the measures were reasonable and proportionate when assessed against the relevant statutory and regulatory framework.
The decision refers specifically to regulation 7 of the SRA Authorisation of Individuals Regulations, which governs the circumstances in which conditions may be attached to a solicitor’s practising certificate. The SRA also cited the regulatory objectives and principles governing regulatory activity set out in section 28 of the Legal Services Act 2007.
No further detail has been published by the SRA regarding the underlying conduct or events that led to the decision. The regulator’s notice does not record any finding of dishonesty, nor does it indicate that the solicitor is prohibited from continuing to practise as an employee or consultant, subject to the stated restriction.
Control of practice outcomes are used by the SRA to limit aspects of a solicitor’s professional activity where it considers this necessary to protect the public and uphold confidence in the legal profession, without removing the individual’s right to practise altogether.
The conditions on Mr Watts’ practising certificate apply for the 2025/2026 practising year, unless varied or removed by the regulator.