SRA apology over failure to write to jailed solicitor
Britain’s Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has apologised to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) over its delay in sending a letter to a solicitor in prison, the England and Wales Gazette reports.
The SRA issued a formal apology to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) following a "regrettable" two-month delay in corresponding with the solicitor, currently serving a prison sentence, the Gazette reports.
Linda Lu, who was admitted to the roll in 2022, was sentenced to five and a half years in prison in 2024.
Her conviction followed a six-week trial in which she and her mother, Susan Chen, were found guilty of stalking involving serious alarm or distress.
Despite her incarceration, the SRA is pursuing ongoing regulatory proceedings against her.
Procedural failures
During a case-management hearing in January, the tribunal adjourned proceedings specifically to allow Lu an opportunity to respond to the allegations.
The adjournment was intended to ensure that the regulator made a concerted effort to secure her engagement from behind bars.
However, a three-person panel heard last week that the SRA had failed to send a formal letter regarding the hearing until March 13 – just days before the latest sitting.
To ensure procedural fairness and allow the jailed solicitor her right to a defence, the tribunal has issued new directions.
Lu has been granted a further two weeks to file her formal answer to the allegations.