England and Wales · Solicitors discipline
When must an SDT cause list anonymity application be served?
A party or other person claiming to be affected by the application. No later than 28 days before the relevant hearing. Serve the application and supporting Statement on all parties, using the prescribed form. Complete by 4.30 PM Europe/London on the operative Tribunal date, subject to the actual method and any direction. Rule 34 concerns the cause list. The March 2026 policy explains that preliminary cause-list anonymity does not determine private hearings, anonymity during the hearing or non-publication of the judgment. Exceptional hardship or exceptional prejudice must be evidenced. A timely application does not guarantee an order.
- Period
- No later than 28 days before the relevant hearing.
- Trigger
- The hearing to which the anonymity application relates
- Rule
- Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019, r.34(3)
Current Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019, r.34(3). Rule 34 concerns the cause list. The March 2026 policy explains that preliminary cause-list anonymity does not determine private hearings, anonymity during the hearing or non-publication of the judgment.
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When must an SDT cause list anonymity application be served?
A party or other person claiming to be affected by the application. No later than 28 days before the relevant hearing. Serve the application and supporting Statement on all parties, using the prescribed form. Complete by 4.30 PM Europe/London on the operative Tribunal date, subject to the actual method and any direction. Rule 34 concerns the cause list. The March 2026 policy explains that preliminary cause-list anonymity does not determine private hearings, anonymity during the hearing or non-publication of the judgment. Exceptional hardship or exceptional prejudice must be evidenced. A timely application does not guarantee an order.
Responsible actor. A party or other person claiming to be affected by the application.
The hearing to which the anonymity application relates
Exceptional hardship or exceptional prejudice must be evidenced. A timely application does not guarantee an order.
Rule 34 concerns the cause list. The March 2026 policy explains that preliminary cause-list anonymity does not determine private hearings, anonymity during the hearing or non-publication of the judgment.
Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019, r.34(3)How 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.34(3)What do independently checked examples show?
Fictitious example
Fictitious a party or other person claiming to be affected by the application. The hearing to which the anonymity application relates 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 a party or other person claiming to be affected by the application. The hearing to which the anonymity application relates 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 a party or other person claiming to be affected by the application. The hearing to which the anonymity application relates 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 a party or other person claiming to be affected by the application. The hearing to which the anonymity application relates on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. The ordinary requirement that prescribed application and statement 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 34 concerns the cause list. The March 2026 policy explains that preliminary cause-list anonymity does not determine private hearings, anonymity during the hearing or non-publication of the judgment.
- Actual event
- The hearing to which the anonymity application relates. Serve the application and supporting Statement on all parties, using the prescribed form
- Material qualification
- Exceptional hardship or exceptional prejudice must be evidenced. A timely application does not guarantee an order.
- 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 34 concerns the cause list. The March 2026 policy explains that preliminary cause-list anonymity does not determine private hearings, anonymity during the hearing or non-publication of the judgment.
- Exceptional hardship or exceptional prejudice must be evidenced. A timely application does not guarantee an order. The selected act is serve the application and supporting Statement on all parties, using the prescribed form.
What must the responsible actor complete?
Questions about this procedure
When must an SDT cause list anonymity application be served?
Does this anonymize the eventual judgment?
No. The current policy distinguishes temporary cause-list anonymity from hearing anonymity and non-publication of judgments.
Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019, r.34(3)Who may apply?
A party or another person claiming to be affected by the application may apply under rule 34(2).
Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019, r.34(2)What grounds does rule 34 identify?
Exceptional hardship or exceptional prejudice to a party, witness or affected person.
Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019, r.34(3)Who must be served?
Every party must receive the application and its supporting Statement. The application must use the prescribed form.
Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019, r.34(3)Does agreement between parties settle the application?
No. The Tribunal determines whether the grounds are met and what order is just and proper. The current policy requires justification for departing from open justice.
Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019, r.34(3)Will the application always be heard orally?
No. Rule 34(4) permits consideration on the papers or listing for an oral hearing.
Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019, r.34(4)Official sources and review
Provisions used (6)
| Provision | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019, r.34(3) | 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 Anonymity Policy, March 2026 | Check the identified procedure, event, counting rule or qualification |
| Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019, r.34(3); rr.3,45 and47 | Check the identified procedure, event, counting rule or qualification |
| Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019, r.34(2) | Check the identified procedure, event, counting rule or qualification |
| Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019, r.34(4) | Check the identified procedure, event, counting rule or qualification |