Solicitors Act 1974

[F1 Mail and other forms of communication] E+W

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 1 para. 10 and cross-heading substituted (31.3.2009) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 177, 211, Sch. 16 para. 77(10) (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/503, art. 2(b)(i) (subject to art. 4)

[F2 10 (1) The High Court, on the application of the Society, may from time to time make a communications redirection order. E+W

(2) A communications redirection order is an order that specified communications to the solicitor or his firm are to be directed, in accordance with the order, to the Society or any person appointed by the Society.

(3) For the purposes of this paragraph—

(a) “ specified communications ” means communications of such description as are specified in the order;

(b) the descriptions of communications which may be so specified include—

(i) communications in the form of a postal packet;

(ii) electronic communications;

(iii) communications by telephone.

(4) A communications redirection order has effect for such time not exceeding 18 months as is specified in the order.

(5) Where a communications redirection order has effect, the Society or the person appointed by the Society may take possession or receipt of the communications redirected in accordance with the order.

(6) Where a communications redirection order is made, the Society must pay to—

(a) in the case of an order relating to postal packets, the postal operator concerned, and

(b) in any other case, the person specified in the order,

the like charges (if any) as would have been payable for the redirection of the communications to which the order relates if the addressee had permanently ceased to occupy or use the premises or other destination of the communications and had applied to the postal operator or the specified person (as the case may be) to redirect the communications to him as mentioned in the order.

(7) The High Court may, on the application of the Society, authorise the Society, or a person appointed by it, to take such steps as may be specified in the order in relation to any website purporting to be or have been maintained by or on behalf of the solicitor or his firm if the High Court is satisfied that the taking of those steps is necessary to protect the public interest or the interests of clients (or potential or former clients) of the solicitor or his firm.

(8) In this paragraph “ postal operator ” and “ postal packet ” have the meaning given by [F3 section 27 of the Postal Services Act 2011].

(9) This paragraph does not apply where the powers conferred by this Part of this Schedule are exercisable by virtue of paragraph 3.]

Textual Amendments

F2 Sch. 1 para. 10 and cross-heading substituted (31.3.2009) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 177, 211, Sch. 16 para. 77(10) (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/503, art. 2(b)(i) (subject to art. 4)

F3 Words in Sch. 1 para. 10(8) substituted (1.10.2011) by Postal Services Act 2011 (c. 5), s. 93(2)(3), Sch. 12 para. 98; S.I. 2011/2329, art. 3

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Sch. 1 Pt. II paras. 5-16 extended (1.1.1992) by Administration of Justice Act 1985 (c. 61, SIF 34), s. 9, Sch. 2 paras. 32-35; S.I. 1991/2683, art. 2 (which extending provisions were amended (31.3.2009) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 177, 211, Sch. 16 paras. 119-123 (with ss. 29, 192, 193)); S.I. 2009/503, art. 2(b)(i)

C2 Sch. 1 Pt. II paras. 5–16 extended (with modifications) (14.10.1991) by Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (c. 41, SIF 76:1), s. 89, Sch. 14 Pt. II para. 5; S.I. 1991/1883, art. 3, Sch.