Vulnerable Clients - Professional Duties Update & Best Practice for Legal Practitioners

Introduction

Recent regulatory intervention in the careers of solicitors who have a history of mental anguish have brought the issue of wellbeing to the fore.

Disabilities are not always visible. This is especially significant in the light of increased awareness of mental health issues following the pandemic.

Knowing how to identify and support vulnerable clients is no longer optional - it is essential.

Delivered by expert speaker Trevor Hellawell, this short webinar will provide you with a clear roadmap to better support your clients while staying fully compliant with SRA obligations.

It explores the key duties professionals must follow when acting for vulnerable clients - from ascertaining their instructions through to acting in their best interests, whether that be directly or through a next friend.

What You Will Learn

On completion of this webinar, you will be able to:

• Recognise who qualifies as a ‘vulnerable’ client
• Effectively and sensitively engage clients of differing dispositions
• Ascertain mental capacity and obtain valid instructions
• Understand the appointment and role of next friends
• Navigate other regulatory and practical considerations

This pre-recorded webinar will be available to view from Monday 20th April 2026

Alternatively, you can gain access to this webinar and 2,101 others via the MBL Webinar Subscription. Please email webinarsubscription@mblseminars.com for more details.