10 Interpretation of “legal proceeding,” “court,” “judge.”C1

In this Act—

  • The expression “legal proceeding” means any civil or criminal proceeding or inquiry in which evidence is or may be given, and includes

F1a

an arbitration;

b

an application to, or an inquiry or other proceeding before, the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal or any body exercising functions in relation to solicitors in Scotland or Northern Ireland corresponding to the functions of that Tribunal; and

F2c

an investigation, consideration or determination of a complaint by a member of the panel of ombudsmen for the purposes of the ombudsman scheme within the meaning of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

  • The expression “the court” means the court, judge, arbitrator, persons or person before whom a legal proceeding is held or taken;

  • The expression “a judge” means with respect to England a judge of the High Court, and with respect to Scotland a lord ordinary of the Outer House of the Court of Session, and with respect to Ireland a judge of the F3High Court in Northern Ireland;

F4A judge of the county court may with respect to any action in such court exercise the powers of a judge under this Act.