The Solicitors' Code of Conduct 2007 (the Code) came into force on 1 July 2007. The Code replaced, with effect from 1 July 2007, the rules of professional conduct contained in the Solicitors' Practice Rules 1990. The Code applies to all solicitors in England and Wales.

This Practice note deals with the rules of conduct in the Code where a solicitor is asked to deal with more than one prospective buyer in a conveyancing transaction, more commonly known as a "contract race".

Note: The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Handbook, which is fully in force from 6 October 2011, replaces the Solicitors' Code of Conduct 2007. PLC has published the following Practice notes on the SRA handbook: