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Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990

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Part IIS Legal Services

Conveyancing and executry servicesS

[F116[F1Regulation by the Law Society of conveyancing and executry services]S

(1)The Council of the Law Society of Scotland have the function of regulating the provision of conveyancing and executry services under sections 17 to 23 of this Act.

(2)The Scottish Ministers may make grants to the Council towards expenses incurred, or to be incurred, by them in connection with the exercise of that function.

(3)Any grant made under subsection (2) above may be made subject to such terms and conditions (including conditions as to repayment) as the Scottish Ministers consider appropriate and they may vary such terms and conditions after the grant is made.]

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I1S. 16 wholly in force at 1.4.1991. See s. 75(2) and S.I. 1991/822, art. 3, Schedule.

17 [F2Conveyancing practitioners].S

[F3(1)The Council shall establish and maintain a register of conveyancing practitioners, which shall be available for inspection by any person without charge.

(1A)The register shall include an entry in respect of any person who was registered in the register of qualified conveyancers maintained by the Scottish Conveyancing and Executry Services Board immediately before the coming into force of this subsection.

(1B)The entry in the register in respect of any such person who, immediately before the coming into force of this subsection, provided conveyancing services to the public for a fee, gain or reward shall be annotated to the effect that he is an independent conveyancing practitioner; but that annotation shall be removed if he ceases to provide such services for a fee, gain or reward.]

(2)Where, on an application made to them by a natural person in such form as they may determine, and on the provision of such information in connection with the application as they consider necessary, the [F4Council] are satisfied that the applicant—

(a)is a fit and proper person to provide conveyancing services as a [F2conveyancing practitioner]; and

(b)complies with the requirements of rules made under subsection [F5(11)(a) below and rules referred to in subsection (11B) below in so far as they relate to educational qualifications and practical training],

the [F4Council] shall grant the application and shall enter the applicant’s name in the register of [F2conveyancing practitioners].

[F6(2A)The Council may charge such fee for registration under subsection (2) above as they may determine.]

F7(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F8(4)Where the Council—

(a)grant an application under subsection (2) above, they may attach such conditions as they may determine, and shall—

(i)record any such conditions against the applicant’s name in the register; and

(ii)give the applicant written reasons for any decision to attach such conditions;

(b)refuse such an application, they shall give the applicant written reasons for their decision.]

[F9(5)Where the Council—

(a)grant an application under subsection (2) above subject to conditions; or

(b)refuse such an application,

the applicant may, within 21 days of the date on which the Council’s decision is intimated to him, apply to the Council to review their decision.]

(6)Where the [F4Council] have reviewed a decision mentioned in subsection (5) above the applicant may, within 21 days of the date on which the outcome of such review is intimated to him, apply to the Court of Session and the Court may make such order in the matter as it thinks fit.

F10(7). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(8)Any person or body other than—

(a)an independent [F2conveyancing practitioner]; or

(b)a solicitor; or

(c)an incorporated practice within the meaning of section 65 of the 1980 Act (interpretation); or

(d)a multi-disciplinary practice within the meaning of that section,

who employs a [F2conveyancing practitioner] under a contract of employment for the purpose of providing conveyancing services for persons other than himself or, as the case may be, themselves, shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

(9)Where a [F2conveyancing practitioner] applies to the [F4Council] to remove his name from the register the [F4Council] shall—

(a)where, in the case of an independent [F2conveyancing practitioner], they are satisfied that he has made adequate arrangements with respect to the business he then has in hand; and

(b)in any other case, without further enquiry,

grant the application and amend the register accordingly.

(10)The [F4Council] shall send to the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland—

(a)as soon as practicable after 1st April in each year, a list of all [F2conveyancing practitioners]; and

(b)written notice of any subsequent change to the register of [F2conveyancing practitioners].

[F11(11)The Council may make rules for regulating the conduct and practice of conveyancing practitioners, and such rules may, in particular, make provision with respect to—

(a)educational qualifications and practical training (including continuing professional development);

(b)the manner in which such practitioners conduct the provision of conveyancing services;

(c)complaints against such practitioners; and

(d)in the case of independent conveyancing practitioners—

(i)conflicts of interest;

(ii)the contractual obligations of such practitioners;

(iii)the holding of and accounting for clients' money;

(iv)the disclosure of and accounting for commission; and

(v)professional indemnity insurance and other arrangements for meeting claims by clients,

and, in respect of the matters referred to in paragraphs (a) to (c) above, different provision may be made for different cases or classes of case.

(11A)Rules made under subsection (11) above shall not have effect unless they have been approved by—

(a)the Lord President of the Court of Session; and

(b)subject to section 40 of this Act, the Scottish Ministers.

(11B)Any—

(a)rules as to the requirements to be satisfied by any person applying for registration as a qualified conveyancer; and

(b)regulations as to the conduct and practice of independent qualified conveyancers,

having effect immediately before the coming into force of this subsection shall have effect with respect to conveyancing practitioners and independent conveyancing practitioners respectively as if they were rules made under subsection (11) above which have been approved in accordance with subsection (11A) above; and the Council may amend or repeal any such rules or regulations.]

F12(12). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(13)The [F4Council] shall, in relation to the provision of conveyancing services by independent [F2conveyancing practitioners] F13...—

F14(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b)make suitable arrangements (whether by means of insurance policies or otherwise) to secure that any successful claims made against such a [F15practitioner] in connection with the provision of conveyancing services are satisfied.

F16(14). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F16(15). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(16)It shall be the duty of—

(a)[F17a] [F2conveyancing practitioner] to comply with the requirements of [F18any rules made under subsection (11) above, any rules and regulations referred to in subsection (11B)] above and any direction of the [F4Council] under section 20(2)(a) or (b) of this Act; and

(b)the [F4Council] to ensure such compliance.

(17)Where, under or by virtue of any enactment—

(a)a warrant of registration is required for recording any deed in the General Register of Sasines; or

(b)an application for registration is required for registering an interest in land in the Land Register of Scotland,

any reference in that or any other enactment or any subordinate instrument to such a warrant or application being signed by a solicitor or agent shall be construed as including a reference to the warrant or application being signed by a [F2conveyancing practitioner], and any enactment or subordinate instrument making provision as to the form of such a warrant or application shall, with the necessary modifications, apply in relation to a [F2conveyancing practitioner].

(18)A [F2conveyancing practitioner] who signs a warrant or application by virtue of subsection (17) above shall, in addition to any matters required to be specified after his signature by any enactment or subordinate instrument, specify the independent [F2conveyancing practitioner], solicitor or incorporated practice by whom he is employed or, where he is himself an independent [F2conveyancing practitioner], his designation as such.

(19)Any person who—

(a)wilfully and falsely—

(i)pretends to be a [F2conveyancing practitioner]; or

(ii)takes or uses any name, title, addition or description implying that he is a [F2conveyancing practitioner]; or

(b)being a [F2conveyancing practitioner], provides conveyancing services at a time when his registration as such is suspended,

shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

(20)Any [F2conveyancing practitioner] not registered as an independent [F2conveyancing practitioner] F19... who—

(a)wilfully and falsely—

(i)pretends to be an independent [F2conveyancing practitioner]; or

(ii)takes or uses any name, title, addition or description implying that he is an independent [F2conveyancing practitioner]; or

(b)provides conveyancing services to the public for a fee, gain or reward,

shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

(21)Where an offence under subsection (19)(a) above is committed by a body corporate and is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of—

(a)any director, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate; or

(b)any person who was purporting to act in any such capacity,

he (as well as the body corporate) shall be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

(22)Where an offence under subsection (19)(a) above is committed by a partnership and is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of a partner, he (as well as the partnership) shall be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

(23)Any independent [F2conveyancing practitioner] who provides conveyancing services upon the account of, or for the profit of, any person other than—

(a)a solicitor;

(b)an incorporated practice within the meaning of section 65 of the 1980 Act;

(c)a multi-disciplinary practice within the meaning of that section; or

(d)another independent [F2conveyancing practitioner],

knowing that person not to be a solicitor, incorporated practice, multi-disciplinary practice or independent [F2conveyancing practitioner], shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

(24)Any rule imposed by any professional or other body which purports to prevent a solicitor or any person mentioned in section 32(2) of the 1980 Act (unqualified persons who may draw and prepare documents relating to heritable estate etc.) from—

(a)acting as an employee of an independent [F2conveyancing practitioner] in connection with the provision of conveyancing services; or

(b)acting on behalf of an independent [F2conveyancing practitioner] in connection with the provision of such services,

shall be of no effect.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I2s. 17 wholly in force at 1.3.1997; s. 17 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 75(2); s. 17(3)(11)-(15) in force at 30.9.1991 by S.I. 1991/2151, art. 3,Sch.; s. 17 in force at 1.3.1997 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 1996/2894, art. 3, Sch (as amended by S.I. 1996/2966, art. 2)

18 Executry practitioners.S

[F20(1)The Council shall establish and maintain a register of executry practitioners, which shall be available for inspection by any person without charge.

(1A)The register shall include an entry in respect of any person who was registered in the register of executry practitioners maintained by the Scottish Conveyancing and Executry Services Board immediately before the coming into force of this subsection.]

(2)Where, on an application made to them [F21by a natural person] in such form as they may determine, the [F22Council] are satisfied that the applicant fulfils the conditions specified in subsection (3) below, the [F22Council] shall grant the application and shall enter the applicant’s name in the register of executry practitioners.

[F23(2A)The Council may charge such fee for registration under subsection (2) above as they may determine.]

(3)The conditions referred to in subsection (2) above are that the applicant—

(a)is a fit and proper person to provide executry services; [F24and]

(b)complies with the requirements [F25of rules made under subsection (10)(a) below and regulations referred to in subsection (10B) below in so far as such regulations relate to educational qualifications and practical training]; F26...

F26(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)The [F22Council] may require an applicant under subsection (2) above to provide such further information in connection with the application as they consider necessary.

(5)Where the [F22Council]—

(a)grant an application under subsection (2) above, they may attach such conditions as they may determine, and shall

[F27(i)]record any such conditions against the applicant’s name in the register; [F28and

(ii)give the applicant written reasons for any decision to attach such conditions;]

(b)refuse such an application, they shall give the applicant written reasons for their decision.

(6)Where the [F22Council]—

(a)grant an application under subsection (2) above subject to conditions; or

(b)refuse such an application,

the applicant may, within 21 days of the date on which the [F22Council]’s decision is intimated to [F29him], apply to the [F22Council] to review their decision.

(7)Where the [F22Council] have reviewed a decision mentioned in subsection (6) above the applicant may, within 21 days of the date on which the outcome of such review is intimated to [F29him], apply to the Court of Session and the Court may make such order in the matter as it thinks fit.

(8)Where an executry practitioner applies to the [F22Council] to remove [F30his] name from the register the [F22Council] shall, if they are satisfied that the practitioner has made adequate arrangements with respect to the business [F30he] then has in hand, grant the application and amend the register accordingly.

(9)The [F22Council] shall send to the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland and to each sheriff clerk—

(a)as soon as practicable after 1st April in each year, a list of all executry practitioners; and

(b)written notice of any subsequent change to the register of executry practitioners.

[F31(10)The Council may make rules for regulating the conduct and practice of executry practitioners, and such rules may, in particular, make provision with respect to—

(a)educational qualifications and practical training (including continuing professional development);

(b)the manner in which such practitioners conduct the provision of executry services;

(c)complaints against such practitioners; and

(d)in the case of such practitioners who provide executry services to the public for a fee, gain or reward—

(i)conflicts of interest;

(ii)the contractual obligations of such practitioners;

(iii)the holding of and accounting for clients' money;

(iv)the disclosure of and accounting for commission; and

(v)professional indemnity insurance and other arrangements for meeting claims by clients,

and, in respect of the matters referred to in paragraphs (a) to (c) above, different provision may be made for different cases or classes of case.

(10A)Rules made under subsection (10) above shall not have effect unless they have been approved by—

(a)the Lord President of the Court of Session; and

(b)subject to section 40 of this Act, the Scottish Ministers.

(10B)Any regulations as to the conduct and practice of executry practitioners having effect immediately before the coming into force of this subsection shall have effect as if they were rules made under subsection (10) above which have been approved in accordance with subsection (10A) above; and the Council may amend or repeal any such regulations.]

F32(11). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(12)It shall be the duty of—

(a)an executry practitioner to comply with the requirements of [F33any rules made under subsection (10) above, any regulations referred to in subsection (10B) ] above and any direction of the [F22Council] under section 20(2)(a) or (b) of this Act; and

(b)the [F22Council] to ensure such compliance.

(13)Any person who—

(a)wilfully and falsely—

(i)pretends to be an executry practitioner; or

(ii)takes or uses any name, title, addition or description implying that he is an executry practitioner; or

(b)being an executry practitioner, provides executry services at a time when his registration as such is suspended,

shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

[F34(13A)Subject to subsection (13B) below, an executry practitioner who provides executry services to the public for a fee, gain or reward shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

(13B)Subsection (13A) above shall not apply to an executry practitioner who, with the approval of the Scottish Conveyancing and Executry Services Board, provided executry services to the public for a fee, gain or reward at any time before the coming into force of that subsection.]

(14)Where an offence under subsection (13) above is committed by a body corporate and is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of—

(a)any director, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate, or

(b)any person who was purporting to act in any such capacity,

he (as well as the body corporate) shall be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

(15)Where an offence under subsection (13) above is committed by a partnership or by an unincorporated association (other than a partnership) and is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of a partner in the partnership or, as the case may be, a person concerned in the management or control of the association, he (as well as the partnership or association) shall be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I3S. 18 wholly in force 1.3.1997; s. 18 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 75(2); s. 18(10)-(11) in force at 30.9.1991 by S.I. 1991/2151, art. 3,Sch.; s. 18 in force at 1.3.1997 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 1996/2894 art. 3, Sch. (as amended by S.I. 1996/2966, art. 2)

Prospective

F3519 Executry services by recognised financial institutions.S

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

20 Professional misconduct, inadequate professional services, etc.S

(1)Where, after such inquiry as they consider appropriate (whether or not following a complaint to them) and after giving the practitioner concerned an opportunity to make representations, the [F36Council] are satisfied that a practitioner—

(a)is guilty of professional misconduct;

(b)has provided inadequate professional services;

(c)has failed to comply with [F37rules made under section 17(11) or 18(10), or rules or regulations referred to in section 17(11B) or 18(10B),] of this Act; or

(d)has been convicted of a criminal offence rendering him no longer a fit and proper person to provide conveyancing services as a [F38conveyancing practitioner] or, as the case may be, executry services as an executry practitioner,

they may take such of the steps set out in subsection (2) below as they think fit and shall, without prejudice to subsection (6) below, intimate their decision to the practitioner by notice in writing.

(2)The steps referred to in subsection (1) above are—

(a)to determine that the amount of fees and outlays which the practitioner may charge in respect of such services as the [F36Council] may specify shall be—

(i)nil; or

(ii)such amount as the [F36Council] may specify in the determination,

and to direct the practitioner to comply, or secure compliance, with such of the requirements set out in subsection (5) below as appear to them to be necessary to give effect to the determination;

(b)to direct the practitioner to secure the rectification at his F39... own expense of any such error, omission or other deficiency arising in connection with the services as the [F36Council] may specify;

(c)to attach conditions (or, as the case may be, further conditions) to the registration of the practitioner or to vary any condition so attached;

F40(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F40(e). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(f)in a case where the practitioner has provided inadequate professional services, to direct the practitioner to pay to the client by way of compensation such sum, not exceeding £1,000, as the [F36Council] may specify;

F40(g). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(h)to make a report of the [F36Council's] findings to any other person exercising functions with respect to—

(i)the practitioner; or

(ii)any person employed by or acting on behalf of the practitioner in connection with the provision of the services.

[F41(2A)Where—

(a)after holding an inquiry into a complaint against a practitioner, the Scottish Solicitors' Discipline Tribunal are satisfied that—

(i)he has been guilty of professional misconduct; or

(ii)he has provided inadequate professional services; or

(b)a practitioner has been convicted by any court of an act involving dishonesty or has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than 2 years,

the Tribunal may take such of the steps set out in subsection (2B) below as they think fit.

(2B)The steps referred to in subsection (2A) above are—

(a)to suspend or revoke the registration of the practitioner;

(b)subject to subsection (3) below, to impose on the practitioner a fine not exceeding £10,000;

(c)to censure the practitioner; and

(d)any of the steps which the Council may take in respect of a practitioner under subsection (2)(a) to (f) above.]

(3)The [F42Tribunal] shall not impose a fine under subsection [F43(2B)(b)] above where, in relation to the subject matter of the [F42Tribunal's] inquiry, the practitioner has been convicted by any court of an offence involving dishonesty and sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than two years.

(4)Any fine imposed under subsection [F43(2B)(b)] above shall be treated for the purposes of [F44section 211(5) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995] (fines payable to HM Exchequer) as if it were a fine imposed in the High Court.

(5)The requirements referred to in subsection (2)(a) above are—

(a)to refund, whether in whole or to any specified extent, any amount already paid by or on behalf of the client in respect of the fees and outlays of the practitioner in connection with the services; and

(b)to waive, whether wholly or to any specified extent, the right to recover those fees and outlays.

(6)Where the [F36Council] make a direction under subsection (2)(a), (b) or (f) above [F45, or the Scottish Solicitors' Discipline Tribunal, by virtue of subsection (2B)(d) above, make a similar direction, the Council or (as the case may be) the Tribunal] shall, by notice in writing, require the practitioner to which the direction relates to give [F46to the Council], within such period being not less than 21 days as the notice may specify, an explanation of the steps which he F47... has taken to comply with the direction.

(7)Where a practitioner—

(a)fails to comply with a notice under subsection (6) above; or

(b)complies with such a notice but the [F36Council] are not satisfied as to the steps taken by the practitioner to comply with the direction to which the notice relates,

the [F36Council] may apply to the Court of Session for an order requiring the practitioner to comply with the direction to which the notice relates within such time as the court may order.

(8)Where the [F36Council] take a step set out in subsection (2)(c) [F48above or the Scottish Solicitors' Discipline Tribunal, by virtue of subsection (2B)(d) above, take a similar step or the Tribunal take a step set out in subsection (2B)(a)] above and—

[F49(a)any period specified in this section for applying for review or for the making of an appeal in respect of the matter has expired without such a review having been applied for or such an appeal having been made;]

(b)where such an application [F50or appeal] is made, the matter is finally determined in favour of the [F36Council's] [F51or, as the case may be, Tribunal's] decision or the application [F50or appeal] is withdrawn,

[F52the Council] shall amend the register of executry practitioners or, as the case may be, the register of [F38conveyancing practitioners] accordingly.

F53(9). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F53(10). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(11)Where the [F36Council] take a step set out in subsection (2)(a) to [F54(f)] above, the practitioner concerned may—

(a)within 21 days of the date on which the [F36Council's] decision is intimated to F55... him, apply to the [F36Council] to review their decision; and

(b)within 21 days of the date on which the outcome of such review is intimated to [F56him, appeal to the Scottish Solicitors' Discipline Tribunal against the decision made in any such review; and the Tribunal may quash, confirm or vary that decision]

[F57(11A)Within 21 days of the date on which—

(a)the outcome of any appeal under subsection (11)(b) above; or

(b)the taking of any step referred to in subsection (2B) above,

is intimated to the practitioner concerned, he may appeal to the Court of Session against the decision made by the Tribunal in the appeal or, as the case may be, to take such a step; and the Court may make such order in the matter as it thinks fit.]

F58(12). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(13)The Secretary of State, after consulting the [F36Council], may by order made by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament, amend subsection (2)(f) above by substituting for the sum for the time being specified in that provision such other sum as he considers appropriate.

(14)The taking of any steps under subsection (2) [F59or (2B)] above shall not be founded upon in any proceedings for the purpose of showing that the practitioner in respect of whom the steps were taken was negligent.

(15)A direction under subsection (2)(f) above to a practitioner to pay compensation to a client shall not prejudice any right of that client to take proceedings against that practitioner for damages in respect of any loss which he alleges he has suffered as a result of that practitioner’s negligence, and any sum directed to be paid to that client under that provision may be taken into account in the computation of any award of damages made to him in any such proceedings.

(16)The Secretary of State may, by order made by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament, amend subsection [F60(2B)(b)] above by substituting for the amount for the time being specified in that provision such other amount as appears to him to be justified by a change in the value of money.

(17)In this section “executry practitioner” and “[F38conveyancing practitioner]” respectively include any executry practitioner or [F38conveyancing practitioner] whether or not F61... he was registered as such at the time when the subject matter of the [F62Council’s or, as the case may be, Tribunal's] inquiry occurred and notwithstanding that subsequent to that time F61... he has ceased to be so registered.

Textual Amendments

F44Words in s. 20(4) substituted (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 40, s. 5, Sch. 4 para. 78

[F6320AReview of decisionsS

(1)The Council shall establish a procedure under which they shall, on the application of any aggrieved person, review any relevant decision made by them.

(2)In subsection (1) above—

(a)“relevant decision” means–

(i)a refusal to grant an application for registration as a practitioner;

(ii)a decision to grant an application for registration as a practitioner subject to conditions; or

(iii)a decision to take any step set out in subsection (2)(a) to (f) of section 20 of this Act; and

(b)“aggrieved person” means the applicant or, as the case may be, the practitioner concerned.]

Textual Amendments

21 [F64Council]’s intervention powers.S

(1)The powers conferred on the [F64Council] by this section may be exercised if, after such inquiry (if any) as the [F64Council] consider appropriate, it appears to them to be desirable to do so for the purpose of protecting the interests of the clients, or prospective clients, of an independent [F65conveyancing practitioner] or an executry practitioner (each of whom is in this section referred to as a “relevant practitioner”).

(2)The [F64Council] may, in particular, exercise any such power where it appears to them that a relevant practitioner—

(a)is no longer a fit and proper person to provide conveyancing services or, as the case may be, executry services;

(b)has ceased, for whatever reason, to provide such services; or

(c)has failed, or is likely to fail, to comply with [F66any rules or regulations referred to in section 20(1)(c)] of this Act.

(3)The [F64Council] may direct the relevant practitioner not to dispose of, or otherwise deal with, except in accordance with the terms of the direction—

(a)any assets belonging to any client of the practitioner and held by or under the control of the practitioner in connection with his business as an independent [F65conveyancing practitioner] or, as the case may be, an executry practitioner; or

(b)any assets of the practitioner which are specified, or of a kind specified, in the direction.

(4)The [F64Council] may direct the relevant practitioner to transfer to the [F64Council], or to such persons (in this section referred to as “the trustees”) as may be specified in the direction—

(a)all assets belonging to any client of the practitioner and held by or under the control of the practitioner in connection with his business as an independent [F65conveyancing practitioner] or, as the case may be, an executry practitioner; or

(b)any assets of the practitioner which are specified, or of a kind specified, in the direction.

(5)A relevant practitioner to whom a direction is given may, within 21 days of the date on which the direction is received by him, apply to the Court of Session, which may make such order in the matter as it thinks fit.

(6)A relevant practitioner to whom a direction is given shall comply with it as soon as it takes effect (and whether or not he proposes to apply to the Court of Session under subsection (5) above).

(7)If, on an application to the Court of Session by the [F64Council], the court is satisfied—

(a)that a relevant practitioner has failed, within a reasonable time, to comply with any direction given to him; or

(b)that there is a reasonable likelihood that a relevant practitioner will so fail,

the court may make an order requiring the practitioner, and any other person whom the court considers it appropriate to subject to its order, to take such steps as the court may direct with a view to securing compliance with the direction.

(8)Any assets which have been transferred as a result of a direction given under subsection (4) above shall be held by the [F64Council], or by the trustees, on trust for the client or, as the case may be, the practitioner concerned.

(9)The trustees may deal with any assets which have been transferred to them only in accordance with directions given to them by the [F64Council].

(10)If the [F64Council] have reasonable cause to believe that a relevant practitioner or an employee of a relevant practitioner has been guilty of dishonesty resulting in pecuniary loss to a client of the relevant practitioner, they may apply to the Court of Session for an order that no payment be made by any bank, building society or other body named in the order out of any bank, building society or other account or any sum deposited in the name of the relevant practitioner without the leave of the court and the court may make such an order.

(11)Any direction under this section—

(a)shall be given in writing;

(b)shall state the reason why it is being given;

(c)shall take effect on such date as may be specified in the direction (which may be the date on which it is served on the relevant practitioner); and

(d)may be varied or revoked by a further direction given by the [F64Council].

(12)In this section—

  • “assets” includes any sum of money (in whatever form and whether or not in any bank, building society or other account) and any book, account, deed or other document held by the relevant practitioner on his own behalf in connection with his business as a relevant practitioner or on behalf of the client concerned; and

  • “independent [F65conveyancing practitioner]” and “executry practitioner” respectively include any independent [F65conveyancing practitioner] or executry practitioner whether or not he was registered as such at the time when the matter in relation to which the [F64Council] exercise or propose to exercise their powers under this section arose and notwithstanding that subsequent to that time he has ceased to be so registered.

Textual Amendments

[F6721APowers of investigationS

(1)The Council may exercise the power conferred by subsection (3) below for any of the following purposes—

(a)an inquiry under subsection (1) of section 20 of this Act;

(b)a review under subsection (11)(a) of that section; and

(c)consideration by the Council whether to exercise the powers conferred on them by section 21 of this Act.

(2)The Scottish Solicitors' Discipline Tribunal may exercise the power conferred by subsection (3) below for any of the following purposes—

(a)an inquiry under subsection (2A) of section 20 of this Act; and

(b)an appeal under subsection (11)(b) of that section.

(3)The Council or, as the case may be, the Tribunal may give notice in writing to a practitioner specifying the subject matter of their investigation and requiring either or both of the following—

(a)the production or delivery to any person appointed by the Council or, as the case may be, the Tribunal, at a time and place specified in the notice, of such documents so specified as are in the possession or control of the practitioner and relate to the subject matter of the investigation;

(b)an explanation, within such period being not less than 21 days as the notice may specify, from the practitioner regarding the subject matter of the investigation.

(4)If a practitioner fails to comply with a notice under subsection (3)(a) above, the Council or, as the case may be, the Tribunal may apply to the Court of Session for an order requiring him to produce or deliver the documents to the person appointed at the place specified in the notice within such time as the court may order.]

Textual Amendments

[F6721BProcedures of the Scottish Solicitors' Discipline Tribunal etc.S

(1)Paragraphs 7 to 9, 11, 13 to 15 and 18A to 22 of Schedule 4 to the Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980 (c. 46) (which make provision as to certain powers and procedures of the Scottish Solicitors' Discipline Tribunal) apply in relation to complaints made against conveyancing and executry practitioners as they apply in relation to complaints against solicitors, but as if—

(a)in paragraph 8A, sub-paragraph (b) and the word “; or” immediately preceding it were omitted; and

(b)in paragraphs 9 and 19, the references to Part IV of that Act were references to sections 20 and 21A of this Act.

(2)Paragraphs 7, 8, 11, 13 to 15 and 18A to 22 of that Schedule to that Act apply in relation to any appeal under subsection (11)(b) of section 20 of this Act as they apply, by virtue of subsection (1) above, in relation to any complaint against conveyancing and executry practitioners, and—

(a)the modifications made to those paragraphs by paragraph 23(a), (b) and (d) of that Schedule apply for the purposes of that application of those paragraphs; and

(b)paragraphs 24 and 25 of that Schedule apply in relation to any such appeal as they apply in relation to an appeal to which those paragraphs apply, but as if the reference in paragraph 24 to Part IV of that Act were a reference to sections 20 and 21A of this Act.

(3)In the case of a decision by the Scottish Solicitors' Discipline Tribunal—

(a)to take any of the steps set out in subsection (2B) of section 20 of this Act; or

(b)in an appeal under subsection (11)(b) of that section,

subsection (4) below applies.

(4)Where this subsection applies and—

(a)no appeal has been made to the Court under subsection (11A) of section 20 of this Act against the decision; or

(b)such an appeal has been made but has—

(i)been withdrawn; or

(ii)resulted in the Tribunal’s decision being upheld,

the clerk of the Tribunal shall send to the Council a copy of the decision of the Tribunal certified by him and the decision of the Court in any such appeal.

(5)If the decision of the Tribunal so certified is to suspend or revoke the registration of the practitioner under paragraph (a) of subsection (2B) of section 20 of this Act, the Council shall—

(a)give effect to the decision; and

(b)cause a note of the effect of the decision to be entered against the name of the practitioner in the register of conveyancing practitioners or, as the case may be, of executry practitioners.]

Textual Amendments

[F6721CCompensation fundS

(1)The Council shall establish and maintain a fund for the purpose of making grants to compensate persons who in the opinion of the Council have suffered pecuniary loss by reason of dishonesty in connection with the provision of—

(a)conveyancing services by or on behalf of an independent conveyancing practitioner; and

(b)executry services to the public for a fee, gain or reward by or on behalf of an executry practitioner.

(2)The Council may, for the purpose of guaranteeing the sufficiency of the fund mentioned in subsection (1) above, enter into a contract of insurance with any person authorised by law to carry out insurance business.

(3)The Scottish Ministers may—

(a)make contributions to the fund mentioned in subsection (1) above; and

(b)defray any premium, fee or other expense payable by the Council under or in relation to a contract entered into under subsection (2) above.

(4)The Council may, with the approval of the Scottish Ministers, make rules with regard to the operation of the fund mentioned in subsection (1) above and, without prejudice to the foregoing generality, such rules may make provision as to—

(a)contributions to be paid to the fund by independent conveyancing practitioners and by executry practitioners who provide executry services to the public for a fee, gain or reward;

(b)the procedure for making claims against the fund; and

(c)the administration, management and protection of the fund.

(5)The fund for the purpose of making grants to compensate persons by reason of dishonesty in connection with the provision of conveyancing and executry services maintained by the Scottish Conveyancing and Executry Services Board immediately before the coming into force of this subsection shall be transferred to and vested in the Council; and that fund shall be applied by the Council to the fund established under subsection (1) above.

(6)Any rules as to the fund transferred under subsection (5) above having effect immediately before the coming into force of this subsection shall have effect with respect to the fund established under subsection (1) above as if they were rules made under subsection (4) above; and the Council may amend or repeal any such rules.]

Textual Amendments

22 Disclosure of documents etc.S

(1)Any communication made to or by—

(a)an independent [F68conveyancing practitioner] or an executry practitioner in the course of his F69... acting as such for a client; or

F70(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

shall in any action or proceedings in any court be protected from disclosure on the ground of confidentiality between client and professional legal adviser in like manner as if the [F71practitioner] had at all material times been a solicitor acting for the client.

(2)Any enactment or instrument making special provision in relation to a solicitor or other legal representative as to the disclosure of information, or as to the production, seizure or removal of documents, with respect to which a claim to confidentiality between client and professional legal adviser could be maintained, shall, with any necessary modifications, have effect in relation to—

(a)an independent [F68conveyancing practitioner]; [F72and]

(b)an executry practitioner; F73...

F73(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

as it has effect in relation to a solicitor.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I4S. 22 partly in force; s. 22 not in force at Royal Assent see 75(2); s. 22(1)(a)(2)(a)(b) in force at 1.3.1997 by S.I. 1996/2894, art. 3, Sch. and S.I. 1996/2966, art. 2

23 Interpretation of sections 16 to 22.S

In sections 16 to 22 of this Act and this section, except where the context otherwise requires—

  • F74...

  • [F75“conveyancing practitioner” means a person registered under section 17 in the register of conveyancing practitioners;]

  • “conveyancing services” means the preparation of writs, contracts and other documents in connection with the transfer of heritable property and loans secured over such property, and services ancillary thereto[F76, including (in the case of independent conveyancing practitioners) relevant notarial services], but does not include any services—

(a)relating to the arranging of a loan; or

(b)falling within section 1(1)(a) of the M1Estate Agents Act 1979;

  • [F77“the Council” means the Council of the Law Society of Scotland;]

  • “executry practitioner” means a person registered under section 18 in the register of executry practitioners;

  • “executry services” means the drawing and preparation of papers on which to found or oppose an application for a grant of confirmation of executors and services in connection with the administration, ingathering, distribution and winding up of the estate of a deceased person by executors, but does not include anything which constitutes [F78carrying on a regulated activity within the meaning of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000];

  • “inadequate professional services” means professional services which are in any respect not of the quality which could reasonably be expected of a competent practitioner; and references to the provision of inadequate professional services shall be construed as including references to not providing professional services which such a practitioner ought to have provided;

  • [F79“independent conveyancing practitioner” means a conveyancing practitioner whose entry in the register of conveyancing practitioners has been annotated to that effect under section 17(1B);]

  • “practitioner” means an executry practitioner or a [F80conveyancing practitioner];

  • F81... F82...

  • F82... [F83and

  • “relevant notarial services” means the functions exercisable by independent conveyancing practitioners by virtue of section 14(1) and (2) of the Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 4).]

Textual Amendments

F78Words in the definition of “executry services” in s. 23 substituted (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/3649, arts. 1, 233

Commencement Information

I5S. 23 wholly in force at 1.4.1991 see s. 75(2) and S.I. 1991/822, art. 3, Schedule.

Marginal Citations

Rights of audienceS

24 Rights of audience in the Court of Session, the House of Lords, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council and the High Court of Justiciary.S

After section 25 of the 1980 Act there shall be inserted the following section—

“25A Rights of audience in the Court of Session, the House of Lords, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council and the High Court of Justiciary.

(1)Without prejudice to section 250 (right of audience of solicitor before single judge) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 and section 48(2)(b) (extension of rights of audience by act of sederunt) of the Court of Session Act 1988, a solicitor who—

(a)seeks a right of audience in, on the one hand, the Court of Session, the House of Lords and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council or, on the other hand, the High Court of Justiciary; and

(b)has satisfied the Council as to the requirements provided for in this section,

shall have a right of audience in those courts or, as the case may be, that court.

(2)The requirements mentioned in subsection (1), in relation to the courts or, as the case may be, the court in which a solicitor seeks a right of audience, are that—

(a)he has completed, to the satisfaction of the Council, a course of training in evidence and pleading in relation to proceedings in those courts or that court;

(b)he has such knowledge as appears to the Council to be appropriate of—

(i)the practice and procedure of; and

(ii)professional conduct in regard to,

those courts or that court; and

(c)he has satisfied the Council that he is, having regard among other things to his experience in appropriate proceedings in the sheriff court, otherwise a fit and proper person to have a right of audience in those courts or that court.

(3)Where a solicitor has satisfied the Council as to the requirements of subsection (2) in relation to the courts or, as the case may be, the court in which he seeks a right of audience the Council shall make an appropriate annotation on the roll against his name.

(4)The Council shall make rules under this section as to—

(a)the matters to be included in, the methods of instruction to be employed in, and the qualifications of the person who will conduct, any course of training such as is mentioned in subsection (2)(a); and

(b)the manner in which a solicitor’s knowledge of the practice and procedure and professional conduct mentioned in subsection (2)(b) is to be demonstrated,

and separate rules shall be so made in relation to, on the one hand, the Court of Session, the House of Lords and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council and, on the other hand, the High Court of Justiciary.

(5)The Council shall make rules of conduct in relation to the exercising of any right of audience held by virtue of this section.

(6)Where a solicitor having a right of audience in any of the courts mentioned in subsection (1) is instructed to appear in that court, those instructions shall take precedence before any of his other professional obligations, and the Council shall make rules—

(a)stating the order of precedence of those courts for the purposes of this subsection;

(b)stating general criteria to which solicitors should have regard in determining whether to accept instructions in particular circumstances; and

(c)securing, through such of their officers as they think appropriate, that, where reasonably practicable, any person wishing to be represented before any of those courts by a solicitor holding an appropriate right of audience is so represented,

and for the purposes of rules made under this subsection the Inner and Outer Houses of the Court of Session, and the High Court of Justiciary exercising its appellate jurisdiction, may be treated as separate courts.

(7)Subsection (6) does not apply to an employed solicitor whose contract of employment prevents him from acting for persons other than his employer.

(8)Subject to subsections (9) and (10), the provisions of section 34(2) and (3) apply to rules made under this section as they apply to rules made under that section and, in considering any rules made by the Council under subsection (5), the Lord President shall have regard to the desirability of there being common principles applying in relation to the exercising of rights of audience by all practitioners appearing before the Court of Session and the High Court of Justiciary.

(9)The Council shall, after any rules made under subsection (4) have been approved by the Lord President, submit such rules to the Secretary of State, and no such rules shall have effect unless the Secretary of State, after consulting the Director in accordance with section 64A, has approved them.

(10)The Council shall, after any rules made under subsection (5) have been approved by the Lord President, submit such rules to the Secretary of State.

(11)Where the Secretary of State considers that any rule submitted to him under subsection (10) would directly or indirectly inhibit the freedom of a solicitor to appear in court or undertake all the work preparatory thereto he shall consult the Director in accordance with section 64A.

(12)The Council may bring into force the rules submitted by them to the Secretary of State under subsection (10) with the exception of any such rule which he has, in accordance with section 64B, refused to approve.

(13)Nothing in this section affects the power of any court in relation to any proceedings—

(a)to hear a person who would not otherwise have a right of audience before the court in relation to those proceedings; or

(b)to refuse to hear a person (for reasons which apply to him as an individual) who would otherwise have a right of audience before the court in relation to those proceedings, and where a court so refuses it shall give its reasons for that decision.

(14)Where a complaint has been made that a solicitor has been guilty of professional misconduct in the exercise of any right of audience held by him by virtue of this section, the Council may, or if so requested by the Lord President shall, suspend him from exercising that right pending determination of that complaint under Part IV.

(15)Where a function is conferred on any person or body by this section he or, as the case may be, they shall exercise that function as soon as is reasonably practicable.”.

Commencement Information

I6S. 24 wholly in force at 3.6.1991. See s. 75(2) and S.I. 1991/1252, art. 3, Schedule 1.

25 Rights to conduct litigation and rights of audience.S

(1)Any professional or other body may, for the purpose of enabling any of their members who is a natural person to acquire—

(a)rights to conduct litigation on behalf of members of the public; and

(b)rights of audience,

make an application in that regard to the Lord President and the Secretary of State.

(2)An application under subsection (1) above shall include a draft scheme—

(a)specifying—

(i)the courts;

(ii)the categories of proceedings;

(iii)the nature of the business; and

(iv)the rights to conduct litigation and the rights of audience,

in relation to which the application is made;

(b)describing—

(i)the training requirements which the body would impose upon any of their members who sought to acquire any right such as is mentioned in subsection (1) above; and

(ii)the code of practice which they would impose upon their members in relation to the exercise by those members of any rights acquired by them by virtue of [F84section 27 of this Act],

in the event of the application being granted; and

(c)proposing arrangements for—

(i)the indemnification of members of the public against loss suffered by them through the actings of the body’s members in the exercise by those members of any rights acquired by them by virtue of [F85section 27 of this Act in the event of the application being granted]; and

(ii)the treatment by the body of complaints [F86remitted to the body under section 6(a) or 15(5)(a) of the 2007 Act] in relation to F87... members of the body exercising rights acquired by virtue of [F88section 27 of this Act in the event of the application being granted],

and shall state that the body have complied with the provisions of Schedule 2 to this Act.

(3)A code of practice such as is mentioned in subsection (2)(b)(ii) above shall include provision with regard to revoking, suspending or attaching conditions to the exercise of any right acquired by a member of the body by virtue of [F89section 27 of this Act] in consequence of a breach by that member of that code of practice; and shall in particular include provision enabling the body to comply with the provisions of section 27(4) of this Act.

(4)A draft scheme submitted under this section shall also include the proposals of the body in relation to such other matters as may be prescribed by the Secretary of State in regulations made under this section.

(5)Regulations under this section shall be made by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(6)Schedule 2 shall have effect in relation to the publication of applications made under subsection (1) above.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I7S. 25 in force at 19.3.2007 by S.S.I. 2007/141, art. 2(a)

26 Consideration of applications made under section 25.S

(1)The Lord President shall consider the provision made in any draft scheme submitted to him under section 25(1) of this Act in relation to the matters mentioned in section 25(2); and the Secretary of State shall, subject to subsection (5) below and to section 40 of this Act, consider the provision so made in section 25(2)(b) and (c).

(2)In considering the code of practice included in the draft scheme by virtue of section 25(2)(b)(ii), the Lord President shall have regard to the desirability of there being common principles applying in relation to the exercising of rights to conduct litigation and rights of audience by all practitioners in relation to the court or, as the case may be, the courts, mentioned in the application.

(3)The Lord President and the Secretary of State shall—

(a)consult each other in considering a draft scheme submitted to them under section 25(1); and

(b)consider any written representations timeously made to them under Schedule 2 to this Act,

and may, either jointly or severally, make preliminary observations to the body concerned in relation to that draft; and the body may make such adjustments to the draft as appear to them to be appropriate, and the Lord President and the Secretary of State (who shall, in accordance with section 40, consult the Director in respect of any adjustments made in relation to the matters mentioned in section 25(2)(b) or (c)) shall thereafter consider the draft scheme as so adjusted.

(4)In considering a draft scheme under subsection (1) or (3) above, the Lord President and the Secretary of State shall have regard to whether the provisions of the draft scheme are such as—

(a)to achieve; and

(b)to ensure the maintenance of,

appropriate standards of conduct and practice by persons who may acquire rights to conduct litigation or rights of audience in the event of the draft scheme being approved.

(5)In relation to any code of practice such as is mentioned in section 25(2)(b)(ii), the duty of the Secretary of State under subsection (1) above is limited to a consideration of any provision of such a code as would, in his view, directly or indirectly inhibit the freedom of a member of the body concerned to undertake all the work necessary for the preparation of a case or for the presentation of a case before the court, other than such a provision which has that effect only by reason of the provision made in the draft scheme with respect to the matters mentioned in section 25(2)(a).

(6)After they have considered a draft scheme under subsections (1) and (3) above, if the Lord President and the Secretary of State—

(a)are satisfied with the draft scheme, the Lord President shall grant the application, and shall so inform the body;

(b)are not satisfied with the scheme, the Lord President shall refuse the application, and shall so inform the body, giving written reasons for the refusal,

and the Lord President shall send a copy of the letter granting or refusing the application to any person who has made representations in relation to the draft scheme under Schedule 2 to this Act.

(7)Where the Lord President has granted an application under subsection (6)(a) above, in relation to—

(a)civil proceedings, the Court of Session may by act of sederunt; and

(b)criminal proceedings, the High Court of Justiciary may by act of adjournal,

make such provision for giving effect to the scheme as appears to it to be appropriate.

Commencement Information

I8S. 26 in force at 19.3.2007 by S.S.I. 2007/141, art. 2(b)

27 Exercise of rights to conduct litigation and rights of audience.S

(1)Where an application made under section 25 of this Act has been granted under section 26 of this Act, any member of the body concerned who has complied with the terms of the scheme in relation to the matters mentioned in section 25(2)(b)(i), and who appears to the body to be a fit and proper person, shall have the right to conduct litigation or rights of audience to which that compliance entitles him.

(2)Where a function is, whether expressly or by implication, conferred on any person or body by section 26 or this section he or, as the case may be, they shall exercise that function as soon as is reasonably practicable.

(3)Nothing in subsection (1) above affects the power of any court in relation to any proceedings—

(a)to hear a person who would not otherwise have a right of audience before that court in relation to those proceedings; or

(b)to refuse to hear a person (for reasons which apply to him as an individual) who would otherwise have a right of audience before that court in relation to those proceedings, and where a court so refuses it shall give its reasons for that decision.

(4)Where a complaint has been made that a person has been guilty of professional misconduct in the exercise of any right to conduct litigation or right of audience held by him by virtue of this section, the body of which he is a member may, or if so requested by the Lord President shall, suspend that person from exercising that right pending determination of that complaint by the body.

(5)Where a person holding a right of audience in any court by virtue of this section is instructed to appear in that court, those instructions shall take precedence before any of his other professional or business obligations, and the code of practice mentioned in section 25(2)(b)(ii) shall include rules—

(a)stating the order of precedence of courts for the purposes of this subsection;

(b)stating general criteria to which members of the body should have regard in determining whether to accept instructions in particular circumstances; and

(c)securing, through such of their officers as they think appropriate, that, where reasonably practicable, any person wishing to be represented before any court by one of their members holding an appropriate right of audience is so represented,

and, for the purposes of such rules, the Inner and Outer Houses of the Court of Session, and the High Court of Justiciary exercising its appellate jurisdiction, may be treated as separate courts.

(6)A person exercising any right of audience held by virtue of this section shall have the same immunity from liability for negligence in respect of his acts or omissions as if he were an advocate, and no act or omission on the part of any such person shall give rise to an action for breach of contract in relation to the exercise by him of such a right of audience.

(7)Any person who wilfully and falsely—

(a)pretends to have any right to conduct litigation or right of audience by virtue of this section; or

(b)where he has any such right, pretends to have any further such right which he does not have; or

(c)takes or uses any name, title, addition or description implying that he has any such right or, as the case may be, any further such right,

shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

(8)For the purposes of section 25, section 26 and this section—

  • “right of audience” includes, in relation to any court, any such right exercisable by an advocate; and

  • “right to conduct litigation” means the right to exercise on behalf of a client all or any of the functions, other than any right of audience, which may be exercised by a solicitor in relation to litigation.

Commencement Information

I9S. 27 in force at 19.3.2007 by S.S.I. 2007/141, art. 2(c)

28 Surrender of rights to conduct litigation and rights of audience.S

(1)Subject to the provisions of this section, where an application made under section 25 of this Act has been granted under section 26(6) of this Act, the body concerned may apply to the Lord President and the Secretary of State for permission to surrender any entitlement of their members to acquire rights to conduct litigation or rights of audience.

(2)The Lord President and the Secretary of State shall jointly issue directions as to the requirements with which any body wishing to surrender their members’ entitlement will have to comply, and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, any such directions may include provision—

(a)where members of a body have acquired rights to conduct litigation or rights of audience, as to the arrangements to be made for the completion of any work outstanding at the time the application is made; and

(b)relating to the particular circumstances of a particular body.

(3)An application under subsection (1) above shall describe the manner in which the body have complied, or will comply, with the directions issued under subsection (2) above.

(4)Where the Lord President and the Secretary of State are satisfied that the body concerned have complied, or will comply, with the directions issued under subsection (2) above, the Lord President shall grant the application, and shall so inform the body.

(5)With effect from the date on which an application under subsection (1) above is granted, any member of the body concerned who has acquired rights to conduct litigation or rights of audience by virtue of the scheme shall cease to hold those rights.

Commencement Information

I10S. 28 in force at 19.3.2007 by S.S.I. 2007/141, art. 2(d)

29 Revocation of rights granted under section 26.S

(1)Where it appears to the Secretary of State that a body has failed to comply with a direction under section 42(6) of this Act, he may by order made by statutory instrument revoke the grant of the application made by that body under section 25 of this Act.

(2)No instrument shall be made under subsection (1) above unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by each House of Parliament.

(3)With effect from the date on which an order under subsection (1) above takes effect, any member of the body concerned who has acquired rights to conduct litigation or rights of audience by virtue of the scheme shall cease to hold those rights.

Commencement Information

I11S. 29 in force at 19.3.2007 by S.S.I. 2007/141, art. 2(e)

30 Regulation of right of English, Welsh and Northern Irish practitioners to practise in Scotland.S

(1)The Secretary of State, after consulting the Lord President, may by regulations prescribe circumstances in which, and conditions subject to which, practitioners who are qualified to practise in England and Wales or Northern Ireland may, in such capacity as may be prescribed, exercise in Scotland—

(a)prescribed rights of audience; or

(b)prescribed rights to conduct litigation,

without being entitled to do so apart from the regulations.

(2)The Secretary of State, after consulting the Lord President, may by regulations make provision for the purpose of enabling practitioners who are entitled to practise in England and Wales or Northern Ireland to become qualified to practise in Scotland on terms, and subject to conditions, corresponding or similar to those on which practitioners who are entitled to practise in member States may become qualified to practise in Scotland.

(3)Regulations made under subsection (1) above may, in particular—

(a)prescribe any right of audience which may not be exercised by a person in Scotland unless he is instructed to act together with a person who has that right of audience there;

(b)prescribe legal services which may not be provided by any person practising by virtue of the regulations;

(c)prescribe the title or description which must be used by any person practising by virtue of the regulations;

(d)provide for the body by whom and the means by which the qualification of any person claiming to be entitled to practise by virtue of the regulations is to be verified; and

(e)provide for such professional or other body as may be prescribed to have power to investigate and deal with any complaint made against a person practising by virtue of the regulations.

(4)Regulations made under subsection (1) or (2) above may modify any rule of law or practice which the Secretary of State considers should be modified in order to give effect to the regulations.

(5)Regulations under this section shall be made by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(6)In this section “practitioner” means, in relation to England and Wales and Northern Ireland—

(a)a barrister or solicitor; and

(b)any person falling within such category as may be prescribed in regulations made by the Secretary of State after consultation with the Lord President.

Commencement Information

I12S. 30 wholly in force at 3.6.1991. See s. 75(2) and S.I. 1991/1252, art. 3, Schedule 1

Rules of conductS

31 Rules of conduct etc.S

(1)Any rule, whether made before or after the coming into force of this section, whereby an advocate is prohibited from forming a legal relationship with another advocate or with any other person for the purpose of their jointly offering professional services to the public shall have no effect unless it is approved by the Lord President and the Secretary of State; and before approving any such rule the Secretary of State shall consult the Director in accordance with section 40 of this Act.

(2)Where it appears to the Faculty of Advocates that any rule of conduct in relation to the exercise of an advocate’s right of audience in the Court of Session is more restrictive than the equivalent rule in relation to the exercise of the equivalent right in the sheriff court, they may submit that rule to the Secretary of State for his approval, and the Secretary of State shall consult the Director in accordance with section 40 of this Act, and thereafter, having—

(a)considered any advice tendered to him by the Director;

(b)compared the rule applicable in the Court of Session with the equivalent rule applicable in the sheriff court; and

(c)considered whether the interests of justice require that there should be such a rule in the Court of Session,

he may approve or refuse to approve the rule.

(3)In section 34 of the 1980 Act (rules as to professional practice, conduct and discipline)—

(a)at the end of subsection (1A) there shall be inserted— “and

(f)make such additional or different provision as the Council think fit in relation to solicitors who, or incorporated practices which, are partners in or directors of multi-disciplinary practices.”; and

(b)after subsection (3) there shall be inserted—

“(3A)Without prejudice to subsection (3), any rule made, whether before or after the coming into force of this subsection, by the Council under this section or section 35 which has the effect of prohibiting the formation of multi-disciplinary practices shall not have effect unless the Secretary of State, after consulting the Director in accordance with section 64A, has approved it.”.

Multi-national practicesS

32 Multi-national practices.S

Before section 61 of the 1980 Act there shall be inserted the following section—

“60A Multi-national practices.

(1)Subject to the provisions of this section, solicitors and incorporated practices may enter into multi-national practices with registered foreign lawyers.

(2)The Council shall maintain a register of foreign lawyers, and may make rules with regard to registration; and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, such rules may include provision as to—

(a)the manner in which applications for registration are to be made;

(b)the fees payable in respect of such applications;

(c)conditions which may be imposed in respect of registration; and

(d)the period for which any such registration is to run.

(3)Section 34(2) and (3) apply to rules made under subsection (2) as they apply to rules made under that section.

(4)Any foreign lawyer may apply to the Council to be registered as such for the purposes of this section and the Council shall, if they are satisfied that the legal profession of which the applicant is a member is so regulated as to make it appropriate for him to be allowed to enter into a multi-national practice with solicitors or incorporated practices, enter his name on the register.

(5)Subject to subsection (6), the Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument provide that any enactment or instrument—

(a)passed or made before the commencement of this section;

(b)having effect in relation to solicitors; and

(c)specified in the order,

shall have effect with respect to registered foreign lawyers as it has effect with respect to solicitors.

(6)Before making any order under subsection (5), the Secretary of State shall consult the Council.

(7)An order under subsection (5) may provide for an enactment or instrument to have effect with respect to registered foreign lawyers subject to such additions, omissions or other modifications as the Secretary of State specifies in the order.

(8)No order shall be made under subsection (5) unless a draft of the order has been approved by both Houses of Parliament.”

Commencement Information

I13S. 32 partly in force; s. 32 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 75(2); s. 32 in force for certain purposes at 17.3.1993 by S.I. 1993/641, art. 3, Sch.

I14S. 32 in force at 1.10.2004 in so far as not already in force by S.S.I. 2004/382, art. 2

Complaints in relation to legal servicesS

33 Complaints in relation to legal services.S

(1)Where any person with an interest has made a complaint (a “conduct complaint”) to a professional organisation that a practitioner has—

(a)been guilty of professional misconduct; or

(b)provided inadequate professional services,

the organisation shall investigate the matter, and shall thereafter make a written report to the complainer and the practitioner concerned of—

(i)the facts of the matter as found by the organisation; and

(ii)what action the organisation propose to take, or have taken, in the matter.

(2)The organisation shall ensure that [F90their procedures for dealing with conduct complaints do not conflict with the duty imposed by section 34A of this Act in relation to any report sent to them under that section].

F91(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F91(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5)For the purposes of this section [F92and sections 34, 34A and 34B of this Act]—

  • “professional organisation” means—

    (a)

    the Faculty of Advocates;

    (b)

    the Council of the Law Society of Scotland;

    (c)

    F93...

    (d)

    a body which has made a successful application under section 25 of this Act; and

  • “practitioner” means, in relation to—

    (a)

    the Faculty of Advocates, an advocate;

    (b)

    the Council, a solicitor [F94or a practitioner within the meaning of section 23 of this Act];

    (c)

    F95...

    (d)

    a body which has made a successful application under section 25 of this Act, any person exercising—

    (i)

    a right to conduct litigation; or

    (ii)

    a right of audience;

    acquired by virtue of section 27 of this Act.

Textual Amendments

F90Words in s. 33(2) substituted (21.5.1997) by 1997 c. 35, ss. 5(1)(a), 6, 11(2)

F91S. 33(3)(4) repealed (21.5.1997) by 1997 c. 35, ss. 5(1)(b), 6, 10, 11(2), Sch.

F92Words in s. 33(5) inserted (21.5.1997) by 1997 c. 35, ss. 5(1)(c), 6, 11(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1S. 33(5) extended (21.5.2000) by S.S.I. 2000/121, reg. 37, Sch. 2 para. 6(2)

Commencement Information

I15S. 33 wholly in force at 3.6.1991 see s. 75(2) and S.I. 1991/1252, art. 3, Sch. 1

Scottish legal services ombudsmanS

34 Scottish legal services ombudsman.S

(1)The Secretary of State may, after consultation with the Lord President, and subject to subsection (9) below, appoint a person, to be known as the Scottish legal services ombudsman, [F96for the purpose of conducting investigations under this Act].

[F97(1A) Subject to subsection (1E) below, the ombudsman may investigate any written complaint (a “ handling complaint ”) made to him by or on behalf of any person which relates to the manner in which a conduct complaint made by or on behalf of that person has been dealt with by the professional organisation concerned.

(1B)Subsection (1A) above applies whether or not the professional organisation concerned have treated the conduct complaint as a conduct complaint.

(1C)The ombudsman may decide—

(a)not to investigate a handling complaint; or

(b)to discontinue his investigation of a handling complaint.

(1D)If the ombudsman decides not to investigate a handling complaint or decides to discontinue his investigation of such a complaint he shall notify—

(a)the person who made the handling complaint; and

(b)the professional organisation concerned,

of his decision and the reason for it.

(1E)The ombudsman shall not investigate a handling complaint where—

(a)the professional organisation concerned have not completed their investigation of the conduct complaint to which it relates; or

(b)it is made after the expiry of such period of time as may be specified for the purpose of this subsection in directions given by the Secretary of State by virtue of paragraph 2 of Schedule 3 to this Act.

(1F)Paragraph (a) of subsection (1E) above does not apply if—

(a)the handling complaint is that the professional organisation concerned—

(i)have acted unreasonably in failing to start an investigation into the complaint; or

(ii)having started such an investigation, have failed to complete it within a reasonable time; or

(b)the ombudsman considers that, even though the complaint is being investigated by that organisation, an investigation by him is justified.]

(2)The ombudsman shall make such investigation of any handling complaint as seems to him to be appropriate F98. . ..

[F99(2A)Where the ombudsman is conducting an investigation under this Act, he may require the professional organisation concerned—

(a)to provide him with such information, being information which is within the knowledge of the professional organisation, as he considers relevant to his investigation; or

(b)to produce to him such documents, being documents which are within the possession or control of the organisation, as he considers relevant to his investigation,

(including any information or, as the case may be, documents obtained by the organisation from the practitioner concerned while investigating the conduct complaint to which the handling complaint relates); and, notwithstanding any duty of confidentiality owed to any person by the professional organisation as respects any such information or, as the case may be, documents, the organisation shall comply with such a requirement.

F99(2B)Where any information requested by the ombudsman under subsection (2A) above is not within the knowledge of the professional organisation concerned, or any documents so requested are not within their possession or control, the ombudsman may require the practitioner concerned in the conduct complaint to which the handling complaint relates—

(a)to provide him with that information, in so far as it is within the knowledge of the practitioner; or

(b)to produce to him those documents, if they are within the possession or control of the practitioner;

and, notwithstanding any duty of confidentiality owed to any person by the practitioner as respects any such information or, as the case may be, documents, the practitioner shall comply with such a requirement.]

(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F100(4)Where the ombudsman is conducting an investigation under this Act, he may at any time make a written interim report in relation to the investigation and shall send a copy of any such report to—

(a)the person who made the handling complaint; and

(b)the professional organisation concerned.]

(5)The ombudsman may—

(a)if so requested by any person appointed to carry out equivalent functions in relation to the provision of legal services in England and Wales, investigate a complaint against a professional body in England and Wales on that person’s behalf; and

(b)request any person appointed as mentioned in paragraph (a) above to investigate a complaint against an organisation in Scotland on his behalf.

F101(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F101(7). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F101(8). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(9)The following shall not be eligible to be appointed as the ombudsman—

(a)advocates;

(b)solicitors;

F102(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d)F103..., executry practitioners within the meaning of section 23 of this Act;

F102(e). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F102(f). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(g)[F104conveyancing practitioners] within the meaning of section 23 of this Act; or

(h)any member or employee of a professional or other body any of whose members has acquired any right to conduct litigation or right of audience by virtue of section 27 of this Act.

(10)Schedule 3 to this Act shall have effect in relation to the ombudsman.

Textual Amendments

F96Words in s. 34(1) substituted (21.5.1997) by 1997 c. 35, ss. 1(2), 6, 11(2)

F97S. 34(1A)-(1F) inserted (21.5.1997) by 1997 c. 35, ss. 1(3), 6, 11(2)

F98Words in s. 34(2) repealed (21.5.1997) by 1997 c. 35, ss. 1(4), 6, 10, 11(2), Sch.

F99S. 34(2A)(2B) inserted (21.5.1997) by 1997 c. 35, ss. 1(5), 6, 11(2)

F100S. 34(4) substituted (21.5.1997) by 1997 c. 35, ss. 1(7), 6, 11(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3S. 34(9) extended (21.5.2000) by S.S.I. 2000/121, reg. 37, Sch. 2 para. 6(3)

Commencement Information

I16S. 34 partly in force; s. 34 not in force at Royal Assent see 75(2); s. 34(1)(9)(a)-(c)(10) in force at 1.4.1991 by S.I. 1991/822, art. 3, Sch.; s. 34(2)-(8) in force at 3.6.1991 by S.I. 1991/1252, art. 3, Sch. 1; s. 34(9)(d)(e)(g) in force at 1.3.1997 by S.I. 1996/2894, art. 3, Sch. and S.I. 1996/2966, art. 2

[F10534A Ombudsman’s final report and recommendations.S

(1)Where the Scottish legal services ombudsman has completed an investigation under this Act he shall make a written report of his conclusions and shall send a copy of the report to—

(a)the person who made the handling complaint;

(b)the professional organisation concerned; and

(c)the practitioner concerned in the conduct complaint to which the handling complaint relates.

(2)If the ombudsman decides to make a complaint about the practitioner concerned to the appropriate disciplinary body he may include in the report under this section a statement to that effect.

(3)A report under this section may include one or more of the following recommendations—

(a)that the professional organisation concerned provide to the person making the handling complaint such information about the conduct complaint to which the handling complaint relates, and how it was dealt with, as the ombudsman considers appropriate;

(b)that the conduct complaint be investigated further by the professional organisation concerned;

(c)that the conduct complaint be reconsidered by the professional organisation concerned;

(d)that the professional organisation concerned consider exercising their powers in relation to the practitioner concerned;

(e)that the professional organisation concerned pay compensation of the stated amount to the person making the handling complaint for loss suffered by him, or inconvenience or distress caused to him, as a result of the way in which the conduct complaint was handled by that organisation;

(f)that the professional organisation to whom a recommendation under paragraph (e) above applies pay to the person making the handling complaint an amount specified by the ombudsman by way of reimbursement of the cost, or part of the cost, of making the handling complaint.

(4)Where a report under this section includes any recommendation, the report shall state the ombudsman’s reasons for making the recommendation.

(5)For the purposes of the law of defamation the publication of any report of the ombudsman under this section and any publicity given under subsection (8) below shall be privileged unless the publication is proved to be made with malice.

(6)It shall be the duty of any professional organisation to whom a report is sent by the ombudsman under this section to have regard to the conclusions and recommendations set out in the report so far as relating to that organisation.

(7)Where a report sent to a professional organisation under this section includes a recommendation relating to them, the organisation shall, before the end of the period of three months beginning with the date on which the report was sent, notify the ombudsman, and the person who made the handling complaint, of—

(a)the action which they have taken to comply with the recommendation or in consequence of further consideration of the matter by them; or

(b)their decision not to comply wholly with a recommendation and any reason for that decision.

(8)Where, at the end of the period of three months mentioned in subsection (7) above, a professional organisation have not wholly complied with a recommendation relating to them in a report under this section, the ombudsman may take such steps as he considers reasonable to publicise that fact; but shall in so publicising it state any reason given to the ombudsman by the organisation for their not having so complied (or a summary by the ombudsman of any such reason).

(9)Any reasonable expenses incurred by the ombudsman under subsection (8) above may be recovered by him (as a civil debt) from the professional organisation concerned.

(10)In this section—

  • “the stated amount” means such amount as may be specified by the ombudsman, being an amount which does not exceed the prescribed amount; and

  • “the prescribed amount” means £1000 or such greater amount as may from time to time be specified by order made by the Secretary of State by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.]

Textual Amendments

F105S. 34A inserted (21.5.1997) by 1997 c. 35, ss. 2, 6, 11(2)

[F10634B Advisory functions of ombudsman.S

(1)The Scottish legal services ombudsman may make recommendations to any professional organisation about their procedures for, and methods of, dealing with conduct complaints.

(2)It shall be the duty of a professional organisation to whom a recommendation is made under this section—

(a)to consider the recommendation; and

(b)to notify the ombudsman of the results of that consideration and any action which they have taken, or propose to take, in consequence of the recommendation.]

Textual Amendments

F106S. 34B inserted (21.5.1997) by 1997 c. 35, ss. 3, 6, 11(2)

Judicial appointmentsS

35 Judicial appointments.S

(1)Paragraphs 1 to 3 of Schedule 4 to this Act shall have effect in relation to the eligibility of sheriffs principal, sheriffs and solicitors to be appointed as judges of the Court of Session.

(2)Paragraph 4 of the said Schedule shall have effect in relation to the appointment of—

(a)members of the Inner House of the Court of Session; and

(b)a Lord Ordinary of that Court to be the Lord Ordinary in exchequer causes.

(3)Notwithstanding any provision in any enactment, if it appears expedient to the Secretary of State he may, in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs 5 to 11 of the said Schedule, and after consulting the Lord President, appoint persons to act as temporary judges of the Court of Session.

F107(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F107S. 35(4) repealed (5.1.1994) by 1993 c. 45, s. 2(2)(3), Sch.2.

Commencement Information

I17S. 35 wholly in force at 1.4.1991. See s. 75(2) and S.I. 1991/822, art. 3, Schedule.

Solicitors’ and counsel’s feesS

36 Solicitors’ and counsel’s fees.S

(1)An advocate and the person instructing him may agree, in relation to a litigation undertaken on a speculative basis, that, in the event of the litigation being successful, the advocate’s fee shall be increased by such percentage as may, subject to subsection (2) below, be agreed.

(2)The percentage increase which may be agreed under subsection (1) above shall not exceed such limit as the court may, after consultation with the Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, prescribe by act of sederunt.

(3)After section 61 of the 1980 Act there shall be inserted the following section—

“61A Solicitors’ fees.

(1)Subject to the provisions of this section, and without prejudice to—

(a)section 32(1)(i) of the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971; or

(b)section 5(h) of the Court of Session Act 1988,

where a solicitor and his client have reached an agreement in writing as to the solicitor’s fees in respect of any work done or to be done by him for his client it shall not be competent, in any litigation arising out of any dispute as to the amount due to be paid under any such agreement, for the court to remit the solicitor’s account for taxation.

(2)Subsection (1) is without prejudice to the court’s power to remit a solicitor’s account for taxation in a case where there has been no written agreement as to the fees to be charged.

(3)A solicitor and his client may agree, in relation to a litigation undertaken on a speculative basis, that, in the event of the litigation being successful, the solicitor’s fee shall be increased by such a percentage as may, subject to subsection (4), be agreed.

(4)The percentage increase which may be agreed under subsection (3) shall not exceed such limit as the court may, after consultation with the Council, prescribe by act of sederunt.”.

(4)In section 33 of the M2Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986 (fees and outlays of solicitors and counsel who have provided services under that Act) there shall be added at the end the following subsection—

“(6)It shall not be competent, in any litigation arising out of any dispute as to the amount of—

(a)any fees or outlays to be paid to a solicitor; or

(b)any fees to be paid to an advocate,

under or by virtue of this Act, for the court to remit the account concerned for taxation.”.

Commencement Information

I18S. 36 partly in force; s. 36(2)(3) in force for certain purposes at 4.7.1992 and s. 36(1)-(3) wholly in force at 20.4.1992 see s. 75(2) and S.I. 1992/1599, arts.3,4, Schs. 1, 2.

Marginal Citations

Miscellaneous and supplementaryS

37 Admission of solicitors and notaries public.S

(1)For subsection (2) of section 6 of the 1980 Act (admission of persons as solicitors) there shall be substituted the following subsection—

“(2)Where—

(a)a person has complied with the requirements of subsection (1); but

(b)the Council have not lodged a petition for his admission as a solicitor within one month of his having so complied,

he may apply by petition to the court for admission as a solicitor; and if he produces the certificate mentioned in paragraph (b) of subsection (1) the court shall make an order admitting him as a solicitor.”.

(2)Section 57 of that Act (admission of notaries public) shall be amended as follows—

(a)for subsection (1) there shall be substituted—

“(1)The offices and functions of—

(a)the clerk to the admission of notaries public; and

(b)the keeper of the register of notaries public,

are hereby transferred to the Council.”;

(b)in subsection (2), for the words from “grant” to the end there shall be substituted “ direct the Council to register him in the register of notaries public.” ”;

(c)after subsection (2) there shall be inserted the following subsections—

“(2A)A petition by the Council under section 6(3A) for the admission of a person as a solicitor may, if the person so requests, include an application for the person’s admission as a notary public; and an order on any such petition admitting that person as a solicitor may admit him as a notary public and direct the Council to register him in the register of notaries public.

(2B)A petition by a person under section 6(2)for his admission as a solicitor may include an application for his admission as a notary public; and an order on any such petition admitting that person as a solicitor may admit him as a notary public and direct the Council to register him in the register of notaries public.”;

(d)in subsection (4) for the word “solicitor” there shall be substituted “ person” ”; and

(e)for subsection (5) there shall be substituted—

“(5)The Council may charge such reasonable fees as they consider appropriate in respect of the admission of any person as a notary public.”.

(3)In section 58 of that Act (removal from and restoration to the register of names of notaries public)—

(a)in subsection (1), for the words from “give” to the end there shall be substituted “ strike off or, as the case may be, remove his name from the register of notaries public” ”;

(b)in subsection (2), for the words from “it” to “thereupon” there shall be substituted “ the Council shall forthwith” ”;

(c)at the end of that section there shall be added the following subsections—

“(3)Where a person who is both a solicitor and a notary public is suspended from practising as a solicitor under this Act the Council shall forthwith remove the person’s name from the register of notaries public.

(4)If the suspension of such a person as is mentioned in subsection (3) is terminated or otherwise comes to an end the Council shall restore the person’s name to the register.”.

Commencement Information

I19S. 37 wholly in force at 20.7.1992 see s. 75(2) and S.I. 1992/1599, art.4, Sch. 2.

38 Availability of legal aid in relation to services provided under this Act.S

After section 43 of the M3Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986 there shall be inserted the following section—

“43A Application of Act to services provided under Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990.

(1)Advice and assistance shall be available, in accordance with the provisions of this Act, in relation to the provision of executry services by executry practitioners and recognised financial institutions and conveyancing services by independent qualified conveyancers, all within the meaning of section 23 (interpretation of sections 16 to 22) of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990 as they are so available in relation to the provision of the like services by solicitors.

(2)Subject to any act of sederunt or act of adjournal made under subsection (7) of section 26 of that Act (consideration of applications made under section 25) advice and assistance, civil legal aid and criminal legal aid shall be available, in accordance with the provisions of this Act, in relation to the provision of services by persons who have acquired rights to conduct litigation or, as the case may be, rights of audience by virtue of that section as they are so available in relation to the provision of the like services by solicitors and, where appropriate, by advocates.

(3)Where advice and assistance, civil legal aid or criminal legal aid has been made available by virtue of this section, the provisions of this Act shall apply in relation to the person providing those services as they apply in relation to a solicitor or advocate providing like services.”.

Commencement Information

I20S. 38 wholly in force on 30.09.1991 see s. 75(2) and s.I. 1991/2151, art. 3, Sch.

Marginal Citations

39 Removal of certain restrictions on the borrowing of the court process.S

Section 29 of the 1980 Act (which restricts the borrowing of the process relating to any court proceedings to solicitors having a place of business, in relation to the Court of Session, in Edinburgh, and, in relation to the inferior courts, within the jurisdiction of the court concerned) shall cease to have effect.

Commencement Information

I21S. 39 wholly in force at 30.9.1991 see s. 75(2) and S.I. 1991/2151, art. 3, Sch.

40 Advisory and supervisory functions of the Director.S

(1)Before—

(a)[F108approving any rules made] under section 17(11) or 18(10) of this Act; or

(b)approving any rules—

F109(i). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(ii)such as are mentioned in section 31(1) or (2),

of this Act; or

(c)considering any provisions of a draft scheme under section 26(1) or (3) of this Act,

the Secretary of State shall first send a copy of the proposed regulations, rules or provisions to the Director.

(2)The Director shall consider whether any such F110... rules or provisions as are mentioned in subsection (1) above would have, or would be likely to have, the effect of restricting, distorting or preventing competition to any significant extent.

(3)When the Director has completed his consideration he shall give such advice to the Secretary of State as he thinks fit.

(4)The Director may publish any advice given by him under subsection (3) above.

(5)The Director shall, so far as practicable, exclude from anything published under subsection (4) above any matter—

(a)which relates to the affairs of a particular person; and

(b)the publication of which would, or might in the Director’s opinion, seriously and prejudicially affect the interests of that person.

(6)For the purposes of the law of defamation, the publication of any advice by the Director under this section shall be absolutely privileged.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I22S. 40 wholly in force at 30.9.1991 see s. 75(2) and S.I. 1991/2151, art. 3, Sch.

41 Investigatory powers of the Director.S

(1)For the purpose of investigating any matter under section 40 of this Act, the Director may by notice in writing—

(a)require any person to produce to him or to any person appointed by him for the purpose, at a time and place specified in the notice, any documents which are specified or described in the notice and which—

(i)are in that person’s custody or under that person’s control; and

(ii)relate to any matter relevant to the investigation; or

(b)require any person carrying on any business to furnish to him (within such time and in such manner and form as the notice may specify) such information as may be specified or described in the notice.

(2)A person shall not be required under this section to produce any document or disclose any information which he would be entitled to refuse to produce or disclose on the grounds of confidentiality between a client and his professional legal adviser in any civil proceedings.

F111(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I23S. 41 wholly in force at 30.9.1991 see s. 75(2) and s.I. 1991/2151, art. 3, Sch.

[F11241AEnforcement of notices under section 41S

(1)The court may, on an application by the Office of Fair Trading, enquire into whether any person (“the defaulter”) has refused or otherwise failed, without reasonable excuse, to comply with a notice under section 41(1).

(2)An application under subsection (1) shall include details of the possible failure which the Office of Fair Trading considers has occurred.

(3)In enquiring into a case under subsection (1), the court shall hear any witness who may be produced against or on behalf of the defaulter and any statement which may be offered in defence.

(4)Subsections (5) and (6) apply where the court is satisfied, after hearing any witnesses and statements as mentioned in subsection (3), that the defaulter has refused or otherwise failed, without reasonable excuse, to comply with a notice under section 41(1).

(5)The court may punish the defaulter as it would have been able to punish him had he been guilty of contempt of court.

(6)Where the defaulter is a body corporate or is a partnership constituted under the law of Scotland, the court may punish any director, officer or (as the case may be) partner of the defaulter as it would have been able to punish that director, officer or partner had he been guilty of contempt of court.

(7)In this section “the court” means the Court of Session.]

Textual Amendments

[F11241BAltering, etc. documents required to be produced under section 41S

(1)A person commits an offence if he intentionally alters, suppresses or destroys a document which he has been required to produce by a notice under section 41(1).

(2)A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) shall be liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;

(b)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine or to both.]

Textual Amendments

42 Review of rules approved by the Secretary of State.S

(1)Where the Secretary of State has approved—

(a)a rule under section F113... 31(2) of this Act; or

(b)a draft scheme under section 26(6) of this Act,

he may and, where the Lord President, in the case of a draft scheme such as is mentioned in paragraph (b), so requests shall, require the body which made the rule or, as the case may be, the scheme to review its terms.

(2)When they have reviewed a rule or, as the case may be, a scheme, following a requirement made under subsection (1) above, the body concerned may revise the rule or scheme in the light of that review, and shall then submit the rule or scheme as revised or, if they have not revised it, as previously approved—

(a)in the case of a rule such as is mentioned in subsection (1)(a) above, to the Secretary of State; or

(b)in the case of a draft scheme such as is mentioned in subsection (1)(b) above, to the Secretary of State and the Lord President.

(3)Where a rule, whether revised or as previously approved, is submitted to the Secretary of State under subsection (2)(a) above, he may—

(a)approve the rule as submitted to him; or

(b)amend the rule in such manner as he considers appropriate,

and (except where the rule remains in the form previously approved) he may direct the body concerned to bring it into operation as soon as is practicable.

(4)Where the Lord President and the Secretary of State are agreed that the terms of a draft scheme submitted to them under subsection (2)(b) above are satisfactory, the Secretary of State may—

(a)approve the scheme; and

(b)(except where the scheme remains in the form previously approved) direct the body concerned to bring the scheme, as so amended, into force as soon as is practicable.

(5)Where either the Secretary of State or the Lord President is of the view that the terms of any such scheme so submitted to them are not satisfactory, but they do not agree as to what the terms of the scheme should be, the scheme shall continue to have effect as previously approved.

(6)Where the Secretary of State and the Lord President agree both that the terms of a scheme so submitted to them are not satisfactory, and as to what the terms of the scheme should be, the Secretary of State may amend the scheme in such manner as he and the Lord President consider appropriate; and may direct the body concerned to bring the scheme, as so amended, into force as soon as is practicable.

(7)The provisions of section 40(1)(b) and (c) of this Act shall apply to rules and schemes submitted under subsection (2) of this section as they apply to rules submitted under sections 17(15) and 31(2) and schemes submitted under section 25(1) of this Act.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I24S. 42 wholly in force at 30.9.1991 see s. 75(2) and S.I. 1991/2151, art. 3, Sch.

43 Functions of Director in relation to certain rules made under the 1980 Act.S

After section 64 of the 1980 Act there shall be inserted the following sections—

“64A Advisory and supervisory functions of the Director General of Fair Trading.

(1)Before considering any rule—

(a)made under section 25A(4)

or (5); or

(b)such as is mentioned in section 34(3A),

the Secretary of State shall send a copy of the proposed rule in question to the Director.

(2)The Director shall consider whether the rule in question would have, or would be likely to have, the effect of restricting, distorting or preventing competition to any significant extent.

(3)When the Director has completed his consideration he shall give such advice to the Secretary of State as he thinks fit.

(4)The Director may publish any advice given by him under subsection (3).

(5)The Director shall, so far as practicable, exclude from anything published under subsection (4) any matter—

(a)which relates to the affairs of a particular person; and

(b)the publication of which would, or might in the Director’s opinion, seriously and prejudicially affect the interests of that person.

(6)For the purposes of the law of defamation, the publication of any advice or report by the Director under this section shall be absolutely privileged.

64B Duty of Secretary of State.

When he has received advice under section 64A(3) in relation to a rule made under section 25A(4) or (5) or such as is mentioned in section 34(3A), the Secretary of State may, having considered—

(a)that advice;

(b)whether the interests of justice require that there should be such a rule; and

(c)in relation to a rule made under section 25A(5), any relevant practice obtaining in the sheriff court,

approve or refuse to approve the rule.

64C Investigatory powers of the Director.

(1)For the purpose of investigating any matter under section 64A, the Director may by notice in writing—

(a)require any person to produce to him or to any person appointed by him for the purpose, at a time and place specified in the notice, any documents which are specified or described in the notice and which—

(i)are in that person’s custody or under that person’s control; and

(ii)relate to any matter relevant to the investigation; or

(b)require any person carrying on any business to furnish to him (within such time and in such manner and form as the notice may specify) such information as may be specified or described in the notice.

(2)A person shall not be required under this section to produce any document or disclose any information which he would be entitled to refuse to produce or disclose on the grounds of confidentiality between a client and his professional legal adviser in any civil proceedings.

(3)Subsections (5) to (8) of section 85 of the Fair Trading Act 1973 shall apply in relation to a notice under this section as they apply in relation to a notice under subsection (1) of that section.

64D Review of rules approved by the Secretary of State.

(1)Without prejudice to the power of the Council to review any rule made by them, where the Secretary of State has approved a rule under section 64B he may, and if so requested by the Lord President shall, require the Council to review its terms.

(2)When they have reviewed a rule following a requirement made under subsection (1), the Council may revise the rule in the light of that review, and shall then submit the rule as revised or, if they have not revised it, as previously approved to the Lord President and the Secretary of State.

(3)Where the Lord President and the Secretary of State are agreed that the terms of the rule as submitted to them are satisfactory, the Secretary of State shall approve the rule, and may direct the Council to bring it into force as soon as is practicable.

(4)Where either the Secretary of State or the Lord President is of the view that any rule, as submitted to them, is not satisfactory, but they do not agree as to what the terms of the rule should be, the rule shall continue to have effect as previously approved.

(5)Where the Secretary of State and the Lord President agree both that any rule submitted to them under subsection (2) is not satisfactory, and as to what the terms of the rule should be, the Secretary of State may direct the Council—

(a)to amend the rule in such manner as he and the Lord President consider appropriate; and

(b)to bring the rule, as so amended, into force as soon as is practicable.

(6)The provisions of sections 64A and 64B apply to rules submitted to the Secretary of State under this section as they apply to rules submitted to him under sections 25A(9) or (10) and 34(3A).”.

Commencement Information

I25S. 43 wholly in force at 3.6.1991 see s. 75(2) and S.I. 1991/1252, art. 3, Sch. 1

44 Interpretation of Part II.S

In this Part of this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—

  • “advocate” means a member of the Faculty of Advocates practising as such;

  • “the Director” means the Director General of Fair Trading;

  • “Lord President” means the Lord President of the Court of Session;

  • “solicitor” has the same meaning as in section 65(1) of the 1980 Act; and

  • “the 1980 Act” means the M4Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980.

Commencement Information

I26S. 44 wholly in force at 1.4.1991 see s. 75(2) and S.I. 1991/822, art. 3, Sch.

Marginal Citations

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