Code of Ethics

In this Code the masculine shall include the feminine.

1. The Paralegal shall observe the rules of conduct set out in this Code of Ethics

2. The Paralegal shall at no time represent himself to a client, solicitor, barrister, notary public, licensed conveyancer, legal executive or other paralegal, court administrative personnel or member of the general public either expressly or impliedly by any legal description other than as pertains to their level of Membership i.e. Affiliate, Associate, Graduate, Fellow or Licensed Paralegal.

3. The Paralegal must discharge his/her duties at all times with honesty and integrity.

4. The Paralegal shall at all times work in a conscientious, diligent and efficient manner and will give his loyalty to the firm for which he works and the Partners and other employees thereof.

5. The Paralegal has a duty to and will hold in strict confidence all information acquired in the course of his professional relationship concerning the business and affairs of the Firm or Principal for which or for whom he works or has worked in the past and the clients or former clients thereof and he will not divulge any such information to anyone unless he is expressly authorized or required by law to do so

6. The Paralegal will observe all relevant rules and laws regarding the presentation and safekeeping of the property of any client entrusted to his firm or Principal .

7. The Paralegal will actively assist in maintaining the integrity of the legal profession in general and the Paralegal profession in particular and will do nothing to bring them into disrepute.

8. The Paralegal's conduct towards his Principal, colleagues at work and the clients of the firm together with other members of the legal profession should be characterised by courtesy and good faith at all times.

9. Any business cards used by a Paralegal shall include the name of his employer and specify the level of membership the paralegal has.

10. The Paralegal should ensure that he and his subordinates are familiar with the provisions of The Solicitors Practice Rules and The Solicitors Accounts Rules together with the Law Society's Guide to the Professional Conduct of Solicitors including any amendments thereto.

11. The Paralegal must keep clients effectively informed of the true progress of any transaction, matter or action with which he is dealing and will not in any way intentionally mislead a client regarding any aspect thereof.

12. The Paralegal must inform his employers of any conflict of interest that might arise concerning the Paralegal or any personal interest that the Paralegal may have in any matter in which he is dealing.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE AND DISCIPLINARY RULES

1. (a). Any complaint against a refusal by the Association to grant or renew a Membership or Licence shall be made in writing to the Association within ten days of being notified of such refusal and shall summarise the facts upon which such complaint is made.

(b) Such complaint will be referred to the Appeal Panel or Disciplinary Panel (depending on the reason for refusal), who will decide the matter on the facts submitted or will seek further evidence if required. Their decision shall be final unless the complainant seeks to address the Panel in person.

2. Any allegation or complaint or allegation of improper conduct against any Member or Licensed Paralegal (herein referred to as 'the Respondent') by any person must be made in writing and must specify the complaint or allegation and summarise the facts which are to be relied upon to support it.

3. (a) A copy of such complaint or allegation will be served by the Association on the Respondent forthwith and in any event not more than 10 days of the receipt of the same.

(b) The Respondent will respond to such complaint or allegation, in writing, within 14 days of the date of posting of the same and summarise the facts which are relied upon to dispute it.

(i) accept the same and withdraw the allegation or complaint

(ii) require the allegation or complaint to be referred to the Disciplinary Panel for adjudication

(d) If paragraph 3 (c) (ii) applies then the Association must refer the matter to the Disciplinary Panel in writing, stating that it is made under this rule, and setting out the complaint or allegation and a summary of any additional facts relied on to support it. A copy of the reference must be served on the Respondent .

4. On such a reference, the Panel must hold a hearing to determine the allegation as soon as is practical and the Association will notify the parties of the date, time and venue of their hearing of determination.

5. (a) The allegations or complaint may be made before the Panel at the hearing by the complainant in person or his representative, or at the complainant's request, on paper.

(b) The respondent may reply to the allegation or complaint at the hearing in person or by a representative of his choosing, or if the complainant has requested a determination on paper then the Respondent may respond on paper.

(c) If the Respondent requests a determination on paper and the Panel on considering the complaint or allegation feels that the Respondent should respond in person, then the hearing will be adjourned for this purpose and all parties notified of the new hearing date, time and venue.

6. (a) Either party may appeal against the decision of the Disciplinary Panel by giving Notice in Writing to the Association within one calendar month of the date that the Panel's decision was posted setting out the grounds for such appeal

(b) On receipt of such Notice the Association will, forthwith, send a copy to the other party and to the Disciplinary Appeal Panel

7. Any such appeal shall not be by way of a full rehearing and the evidence which may be considered is limited to documents showing or recording the evidence which was before the Disciplinary Panel at the time of the decision which is the subject of the appeal and which relate to the grounds of the appeal, and fresh evidence may only be considered if the Disciplinary Appeals Panel are satisfied that it could not previously have been obtained with reasonable diligence, and further that if it had been before the Panel it would have had an important influence upon the determination of the matter.

8. Service or notification under these Rules will be effected by ordinary first class post and be deemed to be delivered on the second working day following the date of posting.

9.The Disciplinary Panel or the Disciplinary Appeals panel may make one or more of the following decisions:

(a) Dismissal of the complaint or appeal.

(b) On the upholding of the complaint:

(i) A reprimand.

(ii) A severe reprimand

(iii) A fine

(iv) A suspension of a Licence or Membership for a specified period of time

(iv) Revocation of a Licence or Membership or refusal to renew a Licence or Membership.

(v) An increase or decrease of penalty on appeal.

10. If a fine is imposed and not paid by the Respondent within a time stipulated by the Association, then the Respondent's Licence will be revoked.

The Association has the power to add to, delete, change or amend any rule and any such alteration will come into effect on the publication of such alteration to the Member.

Any infringement of the Code of Conduct can result in disciplinary action.