Solicitors Act 1974

Rights and privileges of solicitors E+W

19 Rights of practising and rights of audience. E+W

(1) Subject to subsection (2), every person qualified in accordance with section 1 may practise as a solicitor—

(a) in the Supreme Court;

(b) in any county court;

(c) in all courts and before all persons having jurisdiction in ecclesiastical matters; and

(d) in all matters relating to applications to obtain notarial faculties,

and shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges, and may exercise and perform all the powers and duties, formerly appertaining to the office or profession of a proctor in the provincial, diocesan or other jurisdictions in England and Wales.

(2) Nothing in subsection (1) shall affect the provisions of section [F1 94 of the Supreme Court Act 1981], [F2 section 13 or 60 of the County Courts Act 1984]or any other enactment in force at the commencement of this Act which restricts the right of any solicitor to practise as such in any court.

(3) Nothing in subsection (1) or (2) shall prejudice or affect any right of practising or being heard in, before or by any court, tribunal or other body which immediately before the commencement of this Act was enjoyed by virtue of any enactment, rule, order or regulation or by custom or otherwise by persons qualified to act as solicitors.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words substituted by Supreme Court Act 1981 (c. 54, SIF 37), s. 152(1), Sch. 5

F2 Words substituted by County Courts Act 1984 (c. 28, SIF 34), s. 148(1), Sch. 2 para. 49