SCHEDULES

C1SCHEDULE 1 Intervention in Solicitor’s Practice

Annotations:
Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Part I Circumstances in which Society may Intervene

1

1

Subject to sub–paragraph (2), the powers conferred by Part II of this Schedule shall be exercisable where—

a

the Council have reason to suspect dishonesty on the part of—

i

a solicitor, or

ii

an employee of a solicitor, or

iii

the personal representatives of a deceased solicitor,

in connection with that solicitor’s practice or in connection with any trust of which that solicitor is or formerly was a trustee;

b

the Council consider that there has been undue delay on the part of the personal representatives of a deceased solicitor who immediately before his death was practising as a sole solicitor in connection with that solicitor’s practice or in connection with any controlled trust;

c

the Council are satisfied that a solicitor has failed to comply with rules made by virtue of section F131, 32 or 37(2)(c);

d

a solicitor has been adjudged bankrupt or has made a composition or arrangement with his creditors;

e

a solicitor has been committed to prison in any civil or criminal proceedings;

F2ee

the Council are satisfied that a sole solicitor is incapacitated by illness or accident to such an extent as to be unable to attend to his practice;

f

the powers conferred by F4section 104 of the Mental Health Act 1959 or section 98 of the Mental Health Act 1983 (emergency powers) or section 105 of the said Act of 1959 or section 99 of the said Act of 1983 (appointment of receiver) have been exercised in respect of a solicitor; or

g

the name of a solicitor has been removed from or struck off the roll or a solicitor has been suspended from practice.

F3h

the Council are satisfied that a sole solicitor has abandoned his practice;

i

the Council are satisfied that a sole solicitor is incapacitated by age to such an extent as to be unable to attend to his practice;

j

any power conferred by this Schedule has been exercised in relation to a sole solicitor by virtue of sub–paragraph (1)(a) and he has acted as a sole solicitor within the period of eighteen months beginning with the date on which it was so exercised;

k

the Council are satisfied that a person has acted as a solicitor at a time when he did not have a practising certificate which was in force;

l

the Council are satisfied that a solicitor has failed to comply with any condition, subject to which his practising certificate was granted or otherwise has effect, to the effect that he may act as a solicitor only—

i

in employment which is approved by the Society in connection with the imposition of that condition;

ii

as a member of a partnership which is so approved;

iii

as an officer of a body recognised by the Council of the Law Society under section 9 of the M1Administration of Justice Act 1985 and so approved; or

iv

in any specified combination of those ways.

2

The powers conferred by Part II of this Schedule shall only be exercisable under sub–paragraph (1)(c) if the Society has given the solicitor notice in writing that the Council are satisfied that he has failed to comply with rules specified in the notice and also (at the same or any later time) notice that the powers conferred by Part II of this Schedule are accordingly exercisable in his case.