SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 14 Foreign Lawyers: Partnerships and Recognised Bodies
Part II Registered Foreign Lawyers:Supplementary Provisions
Intervention in practices
I15
1
In this paragraph “the intervention powers” means the powers conferred by Part II of Schedule 1 to the Act of 1974 (intervention in solicitors’ practices) as modified by this Schedule or under section 89.
2
Subject to sub-paragraphs (3) and (4), the intervention powers shall be exercisable in relation to a person who is or has been a registered foreign lawyer and the practice of the multi-national partnership of which he is or was a member as they are exercisable in relation to a solicitor and his practice.
3
The intervention powers are only exercisable where—
a
the Council have reason to suspect dishonesty on the part of the registered foreign lawyer, or on the part of an employee of the multi-national partnership, in connection with—
i
the practice of that partnership; or
ii
any trust of which the registered foreign lawyer is or was a trustee by virtue of his being a member of that partnership;
b
in the case of a registered foreign lawyer who has died, the Council have reason to suspect dishonesty on the part of his personal representative, in connection with—
i
the practice of the multi-national partnership; or
ii
any trust of which the registered foreign lawyer was a trustee by virtue of his being a member of that partnership;
c
the Council are satisfied that the registered foreign lawyer has failed to comply with rules made under section 32 or 37(2)(c) of the Act of 1974;
d
a bankruptcy order (as defined in paragraph 10(3)) has been made against him or he has made a composition or arrangement with his creditors;
e
he has been committed to prison in any civil or criminal proceedings;
f
the powers conferred by section 98 (emergency powers) or 99 (appointment of receiver) of the Mental Health Act 1983 have been exercised in respect of him;
g
his name has been struck off the register or his registration has been suspended or cancelled;
h
he has purported to act as a member of a multi-national partnership at a time when he was not registered;
i
the Council are satisfied that he has failed to comply with any condition, subject to which he is registered, to the effect that—
i
he may only be a member of a partnership which is approved by the Society; or
ii
he may only be an officer of a recognised body which is so approved; or
iii
he may only be such a member or such an officer.
4
The intervention powers shall only be exercisable under sub-paragraph (3)(c) if the Society has given the foreign lawyer notice—
a
that the Council are satisfied that he has failed to comply with rules specified in the notice; and
b
that the intervention powers are accordingly exercisable.
5
The intervention powers (other than those conferred by paragraphs 5 and 10 of Part II of Schedule 1 to the Act of 1974) shall also be exercisable where—
a
a complaint is made to the Society that there has been undue delay on the part of a registered foreign lawyer in connection with—
i
any matter in which he, or the multi-national partnership of which he is or was a member, was instructed on behalf of a client; or
ii
any controlled trust;
b
the Society by notice invites the registered foreign lawyer to give an explanation within a period (of not less than 8 days) specified in the notice;
c
the registered foreign lawyer fails within that period to give an explanation which the Council regard as satisfactory; and
d
the Society gives notice of the failure to the registered foreign lawyer and notice that the intervention powers are accordingly exercisable.
6
Where the intervention powers are exercisable in relation to a registered foreign lawyer, they shall continue to be exercisable—
a
at any time when his registration is suspended;
b
after his name has been struck off the register or his registration has been cancelled; or
c
after his death.
7
Part II of Schedule 1 to the Act of 1974 shall have effect in relation to the intervention powers exercisable by virtue of this Schedule, subject to—
a
any express modifications made under section 89; and
b
any modifications necessary in the light of this paragraph.
8
For the purposes of this paragraph, Part II of Schedule 1 to the Act of 1974 shall be read with paragraph 4(2) of Part I of that Schedule.
9
The notices required to be given by this paragraph must be in writing but need not be given at the same time.