England and Wales · Solicitors discipline
When can an agreed outcome be submitted to the SDT?
The parties proposing the agreed outcome. Ordinarily up to 28 days before the substantive hearing, unless otherwise directed. Submit the signed Agreed Outcome Proposal to the Tribunal, satisfying rule 25 and the current Practice Direction. Complete by 4.30 PM Europe/London on the operative Tribunal date, subject to the actual method and any direction. Rule 25 and Practice Direction 1 V.02 March 2026 govern the ordinary submission route. A proposed settlement does not take effect as an approved Tribunal outcome merely because the parties agree. Inside 28 days, the current Practice Direction requires an application with detailed reasons for lateness and leave to submit. Other respondents and costs require separate attention.
- Period
- Ordinarily up to 28 days before the substantive hearing, unless otherwise directed.
- Trigger
- The substantive hearing date
- Rule
- Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019, r.25
Current Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019, r.25. Rule 25 and Practice Direction 1 V.02 March 2026 govern the ordinary submission route. A proposed settlement does not take effect as an approved Tribunal outcome merely because the parties agree.
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When can an agreed outcome be submitted to the SDT?
The parties proposing the agreed outcome. Ordinarily up to 28 days before the substantive hearing, unless otherwise directed. Submit the signed Agreed Outcome Proposal to the Tribunal, satisfying rule 25 and the current Practice Direction. Complete by 4.30 PM Europe/London on the operative Tribunal date, subject to the actual method and any direction. Rule 25 and Practice Direction 1 V.02 March 2026 govern the ordinary submission route. A proposed settlement does not take effect as an approved Tribunal outcome merely because the parties agree. Inside 28 days, the current Practice Direction requires an application with detailed reasons for lateness and leave to submit. Other respondents and costs require separate attention.
Responsible actor. The parties proposing the agreed outcome.
The substantive hearing date
Inside 28 days, the current Practice Direction requires an application with detailed reasons for lateness and leave to submit. Other respondents and costs require separate attention.
Rule 25 and Practice Direction 1 V.02 March 2026 govern the ordinary submission route. A proposed settlement does not take effect as an approved Tribunal outcome merely because the parties agree.
Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019, r.25How does this provision count time?
- Count calendar days. Exclude the established event day for an after-event period. For a hearing-based period, subtract the specified number of days from the actual fixed hearing date.
- Rule 47(2) carries an act ending on a non-business day to the next England and Wales business day. Rule 47(1) requires completion by 4.30PM unless directed otherwise, subject to rule 45.
Count calendar days. Exclude the established event day for an after-event period. For a hearing-based period, subtract the specified number of days from the actual fixed hearing date.
Rule 47(2) carries an act ending on a non-business day to the next England and Wales business day. Rule 47(1) requires completion by 4.30 PM unless directed otherwise, subject to rule 45.
Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019, r.25What do independently checked examples show?
Fictitious example
Fictitious the parties proposing the agreed outcome. The substantive hearing date on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. The applicable ordinary procedural conditions are established. No contrary direction applies.
| Step | What is counted | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Example 1. Ordinary established facts | Fictitious the parties proposing the agreed outcome. The substantive hearing date on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. The applicable ordinary procedural conditions are established. No contrary direction applies. Count calendar days. Exclude the established event day for an after-event period. For a hearing-based period, subtract the specified number of days from the actual fixed hearing date. Rule 47(2) carries an act ending on a non-business day to the next England and Wales business day. Rule 47(1) requires completion by 4.30 PM unless directed otherwise, subject to rule 45. | September 30, 2026 by 4.30PM Europe/London. Actual instant 2026-09-30T15:30:00.000Z. |
| Example 2. Closed-day boundary | Fictitious the parties proposing the agreed outcome. The substantive hearing date on Monday, January 25, 2027. The applicable ordinary procedural conditions are established. No contrary direction applies. Count calendar days. Exclude the established event day for an after-event period. For a hearing-based period, subtract the specified number of days from the actual fixed hearing date. Rule 47(2) carries an act ending on a non-business day to the next England and Wales business day. Rule 47(1) requires completion by 4.30 PM unless directed otherwise, subject to rule 45. | December 29, 2026 by 4.30PM Europe/London. Actual instant 2026-12-29T16:30:00.000Z. |
| Example 3. Material procedural branch | Fictitious the parties proposing the agreed outcome. The substantive hearing date on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. The ordinary requirement that signed agreed outcome proposal is not established. No contrary direction applies. Count calendar days. Exclude the established event day for an after-event period. For a hearing-based period, subtract the specified number of days from the actual fixed hearing date. Rule 47(2) carries an act ending on a non-business day to the next England and Wales business day. Rule 47(1) requires completion by 4.30 PM unless directed otherwise, subject to rule 45. | The actual facts do not establish this selected source procedure. Review the operative branch before computing. |
Fictitious established facts. These examples do not establish eligibility, effective service, relief or a direction.
Try these dates in the calculatorWhich conditions and exceptions apply?
- Applicable procedure
- Rule 25 and Practice Direction 1 V.02 March 2026 govern the ordinary submission route. A proposed settlement does not take effect as an approved Tribunal outcome merely because the parties agree.
- Actual event
- The substantive hearing date. Submit the signed Agreed Outcome Proposal to the Tribunal, satisfying rule 25 and the current Practice Direction
- Material qualification
- Inside 28 days, the current Practice Direction requires an application with detailed reasons for lateness and leave to submit. Other respondents and costs require separate attention.
- Counting and completion
- Count calendar days. Exclude the established event day for an after-event period. For a hearing-based period, subtract the specified number of days from the actual fixed hearing date. Rule 47(2) carries an act ending on a non-business day to the next England and Wales business day. Rule 47(1) requires completion by 4.30PM unless directed otherwise, subject to rule 45.
- Rule 25 and Practice Direction 1 V.02 March 2026 govern the ordinary submission route. A proposed settlement does not take effect as an approved Tribunal outcome merely because the parties agree.
- Inside 28 days, the current Practice Direction requires an application with detailed reasons for lateness and leave to submit. Other respondents and costs require separate attention. The selected act is submit the signed Agreed Outcome Proposal to the Tribunal, satisfying rule 25 and the current Practice Direction.
What must the responsible actor complete?
Questions about this procedure
When can an agreed outcome be submitted to the SDT?
Does the March 2026 direction change the 28-day figure?
It explains the rule 25 period and the process for late submissions. It does not replace or vary the Tribunal Rules.
Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019, r.25What is required inside 28 days?
Paragraph 8 requires detailed reasons why the application is late and an application for leave to submit the Agreed Outcome.
Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019, r.25Must the Tribunal approve the proposed sanction?
Yes. Rule 25 requires Tribunal approval. The Tribunal may seek submissions, require a revised proposal or direct substantive disposal.
Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019, r.25What if the proposal excludes another respondent?
Paragraph 5 requires service on other respondents, an invitation to respond within seven days and proof of service with the responses received.
Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019, r.25Can the parties bind the Tribunal’s costs decision?
No. Paragraph 10 preserves the Tribunal’s rule 43 costs power notwithstanding the parties’ agreement.
Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019, r.43Why might late approval disrupt a hearing?
The current direction explains that members considering an unsuccessful proposal may need to recuse themselves from the substantive hearing. A timely proposal permits a different division to be convened.
Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019, r.25Official sources and review
Provisions used (5)
| Provision | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019, r.25 | Check the identified procedure, event, counting rule or qualification |
| Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019, rr.3 and 47 | Check the identified procedure, event, counting rule or qualification |
| SDT Practice Direction 1, Agreed Outcome, March 2026, paragraphs 5,8 and 10 | Check the identified procedure, event, counting rule or qualification |
| Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019, r.25; rr.3,45 and47 | Check the identified procedure, event, counting rule or qualification |
| Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019, r.43 | Check the identified procedure, event, counting rule or qualification |