Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Client conflict definition

What does Client conflict mean? client conflict describes a situation where a lawyer or firm acts, or proposes to act, for two or more current clients in the same or related matter and cannot, or may not be able to, act in the best interests of each client because their interests are competing. This is a regulatory (not statutory) concept found in professional conduct rules: SRA Codes of Conduct (England and Wales), Law Society of Scotland Practice Rules, Law Society of Northern Ireland guidance, and the Law Society of Ireland’s Guide to Professional Conduct. Usage is broadly consistent across these jurisdictions. Key features: - It concerns...

Conflicts of interest in property transactions: SRA guidance on acting for multiple clients, confidentiality and disclosure, and specific scenarios (buyer-lender, buyer-seller) in England and Wales

Published by a LexisNexis Practice Compliance expert

Practice notes

Conflicts arise in two categories: own interest conflicts (also termed solicitor–client conflicts) and client conflicts of interest. This Practice Note outlines when you may proceed where an actual or possible client conflict exists between two or more clients in a conveyancing or property context. It reflects the SRA Standards and Regulations. For broader regulatory guidance on conflicts, see the Practice Notes: Conflicts of interest—law firms and solicitors and Conflicts of interest—systems and controls.

What is a client conflict of interest?

A client conflict of interest occurs where your distinct duties to promote the best interests of two or more clients clash in the same matter or a related matter. The SRA describes this simply as a ‘conflict of interest’. You must not act on a matter, or any particular aspect of it, if such a conflict exists or there is a significant risk of one arising, unless you fall within one of two exceptions and comply with specific conditions. Whether a client conflict exists is determined by the facts...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

Popular documents

Using the Judicial College Guidelines to assess general damages in personal injury claims

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Tomlin orders in England and Wales: CPR guidance on drafting, confidentiality, approval, variation, enforcement, limitation, CCA issues, court-specific requirements, sample wording and precedents

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Precedent: Deed of Surrender of Lease with Optional Premium, Settlement and Release, Landlord, Mortgagee and Guarantor Consents, Reimbursement and HM Land Registry Provisions (England and Wales)

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Precedent Statutory Declaration: Standard Wording under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...