Practising certificate (PC) – a document issued to solicitors by the SRA which allows a solicitor to carry out certain legal work such as advocacy, litigation, probate and conveyancing. The SRA can impose conditions on a practising certificate, restricting the types of work that solicitors can do, and in what circumstances.

Prima facie – Latin term used to describe something that appears on the face of it to be true.

Pro bono – Latin term for professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment or at a reduced fee. Find out more on the Law Society”s pro bono pages.

Probate – a legal permission provided by a Probate Registry for someone to deal with someone else”s estate after they die. A Probate Registry is an office where someone can be interviewed in order to be provided with a probate permission. To find your nearest registry or for more information, visit GOV.UK.

Public interest – the overall welfare of the general public.

Pursuant – when something is related to, or comes out of, something else. For example, the powers of the SRA to regulate the legal profession stem from (“are pursuant to”) various acts of parliament.

Recognised body/sole practitioner – according to the SRA Code of Conduct 2011, a recognised body is a body recognised by the SRA under section 9 of the Administration of Justice Act 1985. A recognised sole practitioner is a solicitor or Registered European lawyer (REL) authorised by the SRA under section 1B of the Solicitors Act 1974 to practise as a sole practitioner.

Registered European lawyer (REL) – a lawyer from a European state who registers with the SRA to practise law in England and Wales.

Registered Foreign lawyer (RFL) – a lawyer from overseas who registers with the SRA to practice law in England and Wales.

Regulated individual – an individual who is authorised by, and is therefore regulated by, a regulatory body, like the SRA.