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If the purpose is to align ourselves more closely with other professions then it shouldn’t stop with the standard of proof but also giving a sensible range of punishments or the chance for rehabilitation. More often than not what the public would consider a minor error results in a 40 year sentence ending a junior solicitor’s career when it has in fact been the failings of others in training and supervision. There are numerous recent examples where the choices for the SDT are a free pass or a strike off.

Junior Doctors have chances at rehabilitation and redemption which are largely denied to solicitors.

A balance of probabilities approach for a two year suspension would sit easier than the draconian outcomes we see meted out now.

Also, if the SRA is to be wholly separate from the Law Society can we have our practicing fees paying our own legal fees in the event of action, rather than paying for those who police us. Again, it’s only the same as the medics get.