About

The Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal for Northern Ireland is a statutory tribunal constituted pursuant to the Solicitors (Northern Ireland) Order 1976.

The Tribunal adjudicates upon alleged breaches of the rules and regulations applicable to solicitors and their firms. The rules and regulations are designed to protect the public, including consumers of legal services, and to maintain the public’s confidence in the reputation of the solicitors’ profession for honesty, probity, trustworthiness, independence and integrity.

The Law Society of Northern Ireland is responsible for regulating the solicitors’ profession and ensuring compliance with the applicable rules and regulations. It therefore prosecutes the majority of complaints before the Tribunal, although a member of the public may bring a complaint direct to the Tribunal.  The Tribunal is wholly independent of the Law Society of Northern Ireland.

If a member of the public wishes to lodge a complaint direct with the Tribunal they should contact the Secretary at the address below for information as to what documents are required and the procedure (see also Article 46 (1) of the Solicitors (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 (as amended)).

The Tribunal also adjudicates upon the alleged misconduct of persons employed by solicitors and also decides applications by former solicitors for restoration to the Roll of Solicitors or the removal of restrictions or lifting of a suspension.

The Tribunal’s decisions are subject to a right of appeal to the High Court of Justice in Northern Ireland.

The administrative function of the Tribunal is undertaken by the Secretary to the Tribunal, who is also a Solicitor.