SRA prevents solicitor from acting as firm owner, COLP or COFA and from handling client money under public-interest practising certificate restrictions
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has imposed practising certificate conditions on solicitor Adnan Hanif preventing him from practising as a firm owner or handling client money, following regulatory action considered necessary in the public interest.
According to the regulator’s published decision record, the conditions prohibit Mr Hanif from acting as a manager or owner of any authorised legal practice and from practising on his own account under regulation 10.2(a) or (b) of the SRA Authorisation of Individuals Regulations.
The restrictions also prevent him from holding key compliance roles within firms. In particular, he may not act as a compliance officer for legal practice (COLP) or compliance officer for finance and administration (COFA), positions that carry responsibility for ensuring regulatory compliance and safeguarding client-account integrity.
In addition, the SRA has barred Mr Hanif from holding or receiving client money, acting as a signatory to client or office accounts, or authorising transfers from such accounts. Controls relating to client money are among the most serious supervisory measures available short of suspension or referral to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
Practising certificate conditions are typically imposed where the regulator considers targeted restrictions necessary to manage risk while allowing a solicitor to continue practising in an employed capacity under appropriate safeguards.
The measures reflect the SRA’s continuing emphasis on protecting client funds and reinforcing compliance oversight within authorised bodies. Restrictions preventing solicitors from acting as COLP or COFA are commonly used where the regulator considers that additional supervision is required before leadership or financial-control responsibilities can be resumed.
Such conditions remain in force unless varied or revoked by the regulator and form part of the SRA’s broader supervisory framework aimed at maintaining public confidence in the legal services market