Administration of Justice Act 1985

4 (1) Where on the hearing of any allegation the Discipline and Appeals Committee are satisfied that a recognised body—

(a) has been convicted as mentioned in sub-paragraph (i) of paragraph (3)(1)(a); or

(b) has failed to comply with any such rules as are mentioned in sub-paragraph (ii) of that paragraph,

the Committee may, if they think fit, make one or more of the orders referred to in sub-paragraph (2).

(2) Those orders are—

(a) an order revoking the recognition under section 32 of the body to which the allegation relates;

(b) an order directing the payment by that body of a penalty not exceeding £3,000, to be forfeited to Her Majesty;

(c) an order requiring that body to pay the costs incurred in bringing against it the proceedings before the Committee or a contribution towards those costs, being a contribution of such amount as the Committee consider reasonable.

[F1 (3) Where it appears to the Council that the professional services provided by a recognised body in connection with any matter in which that body has been instructed by a client have, in any respect, not been of the quality which it is reasonable to expect of that body, the Council may take any step with respect to that recognised body as it could take under paragraphs 14 to 20 of Schedule 8 of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 with respect to a licensed conveyancer in similar circumstances.

(3A) Those paragraphs shall have effect (with the necessary modifications) with respect to any steps taken against the recognised body under this sub-paragraph as they have effect with respect to any steps taken with respect to a licensed conveyancer under paragraph 14 of that Schedule.]

(4) Subsections (5) and (6) of section 26 shall have effect in relation to the sum specified in sub-paragraph (2)(b) as they have effect in relation to the sum specified in subsection (2)(e) of that section.

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 6 para. 4(3)(3A) substituted (1. 4. 1991) for limited purposes by Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (c. 41, SIF 37), s. 125(6), Sch. 18, para.58 (with s. 125(3), Sch. 19 para. 15(c),) ; S.I. 1991/608, art. 2, Sch.