Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986

12 Payment of fees or outlays otherwise than through clients' contributions.

(1) In this section, in relation to advice and assistance provided by a solicitor employed by—

(a) a firm of solicitors ;

(b) an incorporated practice; or

(c) the Board,

in the course of that employment (or by counsel on instructions given to him by such a solicitor), "the solicitor" includes the firm, incorporated practice or the Board, as the case may be.

(2) This section applies to any fees or outlays properly chargeable (in accordance with section 33 of this Act), in respect of advice and assistance given to a client in pursuance of this Part of this Act.

(3) Except in so far as regulations made under this section otherwise provide, fees or outlays to which this section applies shall be paid to the solicitor as follows—

(a) first, out of any contribution payable by the client in accordance with section 11(2) of this Act ;

(b) secondly, in priority to all other debts. out of any expenses which (by virtue of a judgment or order of a court or an agreement or otherwise) are payable to the clie:nt by any other person in respect of the matter in connection with which the advice and assistance is provided ;

(c) thirdly, in priority to all other debts, out of any property (of whatever nature and wherever situated) which is recovered or preserved for the client in connection with that matter, including his rights under any settlement arrived at in connection with that matter in order to avoid or bring to an end any proceedings ;

(d) fourthly, by the Board out of the Fund, following receipt by it of a claim submitted by the solicitor.