Solicitors provide legal services to the public. Like many other groups who provide particular services they are regulated in what they do. The rules governing solicitors are contained in a number of sources:
- the Solicitors Acts,
- formal regulations made in addition to the acts, (known as statutory instruments) and
- the rules or principles of good conduct, for example the rule of confidentiality contained in the Law Society publication “Guide to Professional Conduct of Solicitors in Ireland 2nd Edition”. (Magnify the Guide by at least 150% when viewing online).
In addition, there are other rules particularly relevant to solicitors in their work. For instance, if a solicitor provides investment advice to clients there are rules which regulate this work.
Solicitors Acts
Solicitors must carry out the duties required by the various acts, by the regulations and by the principles of good conduct and they must not do anything prohibited by them.
View the Solicitors Acts below for more information:
Statutory Instruments
View particular statutory instruments as listed on the Irish Statute Book website. For more recent statutory instruments, check the website of the relevant government department.
Advertising Regulations
The Solicitors Advertising Regulations were introduced pursuant to S. 4 of the Solicitors (Amendment) Act 2002, which preserves the right of a solicitor to advertise, but severely restricts personal injuries advertising.
Investment Intermediaries
Relevant legislation or regulations are as follows: