Legal Notice
Regulatory Status & Disclosure Notice
Important Information Regarding Our Legal & Regulatory Status
The Settlement Studio is an independent, unregulated dispute resolution consultancy operated by Sharon Whiston. Please read the following disclosures carefully to understand the nature of our services and how we are regulated.
1. Dual Role Disclosure
Sharon Whiston is a qualified solicitor admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in England and Wales.
Services via The Settlement Studio: When providing services through The Settlement Studio, Sharon acts solely as an independent consultant, educator, and dispute resolution specialist. In this capacity, she provides unreserved, non-contentious legal consultancy, conflict strategy, CBT-informed emotional support, and dispute management services.
Solicitor Practice: Sharon also practices as a consultant solicitor through Family Legal, a law firm authorized and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
2. Regulatory & Legal Framework
Not a Regulated Law Firm: The Settlement Studio is not a law firm, a recognized body, or an authorized entity regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
Unreserved Legal Activities: The services provided by The Settlement Studio are unreserved legal activities under the Legal Services Act 2007. We do not conduct litigation, exercise rights of audience before a court, prepare court documentation or deeds, or undertake reserved instrument activities on your behalf.
No Court Representation or On-Record Solicitor: Engaging Sharon Whiston or The Settlement Studio does not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and a regulated law firm for that matter, nor will Sharon or The Settlement Studio appear on the court record as your appointed solicitor of record.
3. Client Protections & Insurance
Because services supplied through The Settlement Studio fall outside SRA-regulated legal practice:
SRA Compensation Fund: Clients of The Settlement Studio are not eligible to make a claim on the SRA Compensation Fund.
Legal Ombudsman: Clients do not have the right to complain about services provided by The Settlement Studio to the Legal Ombudsman.
Professional Indemnity Insurance: The Settlement Studio maintains independent, commercial Professional Indemnity Insurance tailored to unreserved legal consultancy and mediation. However, this is separate from the mandatory SRA minimum terms and conditions (MTC) insurance required for practising law firms.
4. Need for Regulated Formal Advice or Litigation
If your matter requires formal court representation, litigation services, conduct of proceedings, or bespoke regulated legal advice, Sharon Whiston will inform you immediately.
In such cases, you may:
Instruct a direct-access barrister for court advocacy.
Formally instruct a regulated law firm (including instructing Sharon Whiston in her separate, distinct capacity as a consultant solicitor via Family Legal, subject to conflict checks and formal client onboarding with that firm).
Instruct any other independent regulated solicitor of your choice.
By engaging the services of The Settlement Studio, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to the regulatory boundaries outlined above..