Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980

Section 49.]

[ SCHEDULE 5 S Lay Observer

1 The lay observer shall hold and vacate his office in accordance with the terms of his appointment and shall, on ceasing to hold office, be eligible for re-appointment.

2 The Secretary of State may give general directions to the lay observer about the scope and discharge of his functions, and shall publish any such directions.

3 The Society shall consider any report or recommendation which it receives from the lay observer, and shall notify him of any action which it has taken in consequence.

4 The Secretary of State may appoint staff for the lay observer.

5 Remuneration for the lay observer and his staff and any other expenses of the lay observer shall be paid out of money provided by Parliament.

6 In determining the terms of employment and remuneration of the lay observer and his staff, the number of his staff and any amount payable by way of expenses under paragraph 5, the Secretary of State shall act only with the approval of the Minister for the Civil Service.

7 The Society shall furnish the lay observer with such information as he may from time to time reasonably require.

8 The Secretary of State shall direct the submission to him of an annual report by the lay observer on the discharge of the functions conferred on the lay observer by this Act.

9 The Secretary of State shall lay a copy of any report under paragraph 8 before each House of Parliament.

10 In Part III of Schedule 1 to the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (offices disqualifying for membership) there shall be inserted at the appropriate place in alphabetical order the entry “Lay observer appointed under section 49 of the Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980”.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 The text of s. 66(2), Sch. 5 para. 10, Sch. 7 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and, except as specified, does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.