Part I Solicitors

Restrictions applying to unqualified persons

6 Preparation of conveyancing documents by unqualified persons.

1

Section 22 of the M1Solicitors Act 1974 (restriction on person preparing certain instruments when not qualified to act as a solicitor) shall be amended as follows.

2

In subsection (1), for “subsection (2)” there shall be substituted “subsections (2) and (2A)”.

3

After subsection (2) there shall be inserted—

2A

Subsection (1) also does not apply to any act done by a person at the direction and under the supervision of another person if—

a

that other person was at the time his employer, a partner of his employer or a fellow employee; and

b

the act could have been done by that other person for or in expectation of any fee, gain or reward without committing an offence under this section.

4

In subsection (3)—

a

after “instrument” there shall be inserted “includes a contract for the sale or other disposition of land (except a contract to grant such a lease as is referred to in section 45(2) of theLaw of Property Act 1925 (short leases)), but”; and

b

at the end of paragraph (b) there shall be inserted “other than a contract that is included by virtue of the preceding provisions of this subsection;”.

5

After that subsection there shall be inserted—

4

A local weights and measures authority may institute proceedings for an offence under this section.