Civil way: 20 September 2019

Train as a vet if you plan to get up to any professional mischief. As of 25 November 2019, the only professional regulator in England and Wales applying the criminal standard of proof to professional misconduct proceedings will be the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Yes, that’s the date on which the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal goes civil by ending or suspending your career if satisfied on first instance hearings that it is more probable than not—rather than beyond reasonable doubt—that you groped or plundered. The Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019 (SI 2019/1185) (replacing the 2007 rules) does the evidential trick for hearings which arise out of applications or complaints made on or after 25 November 2019. The tribunal already applies the civil standard to appeals against written rebukes and directions to pay penalties of less than £2,000 imposed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. A PD in respect of the application procedure for agreed outcomes and guidance notes for persons assisting at hearings