Access to Justice Act 1999

Part III U.K. Provision of legal services

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. 3: functions of the Lord Chancellor transferred (19.8.2003) to the Secretary of State by The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1887), art. 4, Sch. 1 (with art. 6)

Legal Services Consultative Panel U.K.

35 Replacement of ACLEC by Consultative Panel. U.K.

(1) F1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) F2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) F2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) F2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) In the First Schedule to the M1 Public Records Act 1958 (definition of public records), in Part II of the Table set out at the end of paragraph 3, insert at the appropriate place—

“The Legal Services Consultative Panel.”

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 35(1) repealed (22.7.2004) by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2004 (c. 14), s. 1(1), {Sch. 1 Pt. 1 Group 4}

F2 S. 35(2)-(4) repealed (1.1.2010) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 210, 211, Sch. 23 (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/3250, art. 2 (with art. 9)

Marginal Citations

M1 1958 c.51.

Rights of audience and rights to conduct litigation U.K.

36 Barristers and solicitors. U.K.

F3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F3 S. 36 repealed (1.1.2010) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 210, 211, Sch. 23 (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/3250, art. 2 (with art. 9)

37 Rights of audience: employed advocates. U.K.

F4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F4 S. 37 repealed (1.1.2010) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 210, 211, Sch. 23 (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/3250, art. 2 (with art. 9)

38 Employees of Legal Services Commission. U.K.

In the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990, after section 31A (inserted by section 37 above) insert—

“31B Advocates and litigators employed by Legal Services Commission.

(1) Where a person who has a right of audience or right to conduct litigation granted by an authorised body is employed by the Legal Services Commission, or by any body established and maintained by the Legal Services Commission, any rules of the authorised body which fall within subsection (2) shall not have effect in relation to him.

(2) Rules of a body fall within this subsection if they are—

(a) rules of conduct prohibiting or limiting the exercise of the right on behalf of members of the public by members of the body who are employees; or

(b) rules of any other description prohibiting or limiting the provision of legal services to members of the public by such members of the body,

and either of the conditions specified in subsection (3) is satisfied.

(3) Those conditions are—

(a) that the prohibition or limitation is on the exercise of the right, or the provision of the services, otherwise than on the instructions of solicitors (or other persons acting for the members of the public); and

(b) that the rules do not impose the same prohibition or limitation on members of the body who have the right but are not employees.”

39 Rights of audience: change of authorised body. U.K.

In the M2 Courts and Legal Services Act 1990, after section 31B (inserted by section 38 above) insert—

“31C Change of authorised body.

(1) Where a person—

(a) has at any time had, and been entitled to exercise, a right of audience before a court in relation to proceedings of any description granted by one authorised body; and

(b) becomes a member of another authorised body and has a right of audience before that court in relation to that description of proceedings granted by that body,

any qualification regulations of that body relating to that right shall not have effect in relation to him.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to any qualification regulations to the extent that they impose requirements relating to continuing education or training which have effect in relation to the exercise of the right by all members of the body who have the right.

(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person if he has been banned from exercising the right of audience by the body mentioned in paragraph (a) of that subsection as a result of disciplinary proceedings and that body has not lifted the ban.”

Marginal Citations

M2 1990 c.41.

40 Rights to conduct litigation: barristers and legal executives. U.K.

F5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F5 S. 40 repealed (1.1.2010) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 210, 211, Sch. 23 (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/3250, art. 2 (with art. 9)

41 Authorised bodies: designation and regulations and rules. U.K.

F6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F6 S. 41 repealed (1.1.2010) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 210, 211, Sch. 23 (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/3250, art. 2 (with art. 9)

42 Overriding duties of advocates and litigators. U.K.

F7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F7 S. 42 repealed (1.1.2010) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 210, 211, Sch. 23 (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/3250, art. 2 (with art. 9)

43 Minor and consequential amendments. U.K.

Schedule 6 (which makes minor and consequential amendments relating to rights of audience and rights to conduct litigation) has effect.

Commencement Information

I1 S. 43 wholly in force at 1.1.2000; s. 43 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 108(1); s. 43 in force for certain purposes at 27.9.1999 by S.I. 1999/2657, art. 2(a); s. 43 in force at. 1.1.2000 insofar as not already in force by S.I. 1999/3344, art. 2(a) (with art. 4)

Barristers and solicitors E+W

44 Barristers employed by solicitors etc. E+W

(1) Where a barrister F8 . . . —

[F9 (a) is employed by an authorised person, or

(b) is a manager of such a person,]

any rules of the General Council of the Bar which impose a prohibition or limitation on the provision of legal services shall not operate to prevent him from providing legal services to clients of [F10 the authorised person of which the barrister is an employee or a manager] if either of the conditions specified in subsection (2) is satisfied.

(2) Those conditions are—

(a) that the prohibition or limitation is on the provision of the services otherwise than on the instructions of a solicitor (or other person acting for the client), and

(b) that the prohibition or limitation does not apply to barristers who provide legal services but are not employees [F11 or managers of an authorised person].

[F12 (3) In this section—

• “authorised person” means a person who, for the purposes of the Legal Services Act 2007, is an authorised person in relation to an activity which is a reserved legal activity (within the meaning of that Act), and

• “manager” has the same meaning as in that Act (see section 207 of that Act).]

Textual Amendments

F8 Words in s. 44(1) repealed (1.1.2010) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 208, 210, 211, Sch. 21 para. 129(a)(i), Sch. 23 (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/3250, art. 2 (with art. 9)

F9 S. 44(1)(a)(b) substituted (1.1.2010) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 208, 211, Sch. 21 para. 129(a)(ii) (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/3250, art. 2 (with art. 9)

F10 Words in s. 44(1) substituted (1.1.2010) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 208, 211, Sch. 21 para. 129(a)(iii) (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/3250, art. 2 (with art. 9)

F11 Words in s. 44(2) inserted (1.1.2010) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 208, 211, Sch. 21 para. 129(b) (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/3250, art. 2 (with art. 9)

F12 S. 44(3) inserted (1.1.2010) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 208, 211, Sch. 21 para. 129(c) (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/3250, art. 2 (with art. 9)

45 Fees on application for appointment as Queen’s Counsel. E+W

(1) A person who applies to the [F13 Lord Chancellor] to be recommended for appointment as Queen’s Counsel in England and Wales shall pay a fee to the [F13 Lord Chancellor].

(2) The amount of the fee shall be specified by order made by the [F14 Lord Chancellor]; and in determining that amount the [F14 Lord Chancellor] shall have regard to the expenses incurred by him in considering such applications.

(3) An order under subsection (2) shall be made by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(4) This section does not affect section 9 of the M3 Great Seal (Offices) Act 1874 (under which fees are charged in respect of the grant of Letters Patent under the Great Seal for appointment as Queen’s Counsel).

Textual Amendments

F13 Words in s. 45(1) substituted (1.1.2010) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 208, 211, Sch. 21 para. 130 (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/3250, art. 2 (with art. 9)

F14 Words in s. 45(2) substituted (1.1.2010) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 208, 211, Sch. 21 para. 130 (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/3250, art. 2 (with art. 9)

Marginal Citations

M3 1874 c.81.

46 Bar practising certificates. E+W

(1) If the General Council of the Bar makes rules prohibiting barristers from practising as specified in the rules unless authorised by a certificate issued by the Council (a “practising certificate”), the rules may include provision requiring the payment of fees to the Council by applicants for practising certificates.

(2) Rules made by virtue of subsection (1)—

(a) may provide for the payment of different fees by different descriptions of applicants, F15 . . .

(b) F15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) F16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) F16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) F16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6) F16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F15 S. 46(2)(b) and preceding word repealed (1.1.2010) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 208, 210, 211, Sch. 21 para. 131(a), Sch. 23 (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/3250, art. 2 (with art. 9)

F16 S. 46(3)-(6) repealed (1.1.2010) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 208, 210, 211, Sch. 21 para. 131(b), Sch. 23 (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/3250, art. 2 (with art. 9)

47 Fees for solicitors’ practising certificates. E+W

F17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F17 S. 47 repealed (1.1.2010) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 208, 210, 211, Sch. 21 para. 131(b), Sch. 23 (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/3250, art. 2 (with art. 9)

48 Law Society’s powers in relation to conduct of solicitors etc. E+W

Schedule 7 (which extends the powers of the Law Society in relation to the conduct of solicitors and their employees and consultants) has effect.

Legal Services Ombudsman U.K.

49 Powers of Ombudsman. U.K.

(1) Section 23 of the M4 Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (recommendations of the Legal Services Ombudsman) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (1)(c) (written report of investigation to be sent to person with respect to whom recommendation is made), after “subsection (2)” insert “ or an order under subsection (2A) ”.

(3) In paragraph (e) of subsection (2) (recommendation that costs be paid by person or body to which recommendation under paragraph (c) or (d) applies), for “which a recommendation under paragraph (c) or (d) applies” substitute “ pay compensation under paragraph (c) or (d) ”.

(4) After that subsection insert—

“(2A) If after completing any investigation under this Act the Ombudsman considers that, rather than recommending the taking of any action by any person or professional body under paragraph (c), (d) or (e) of subsection (2), he should make an order requiring the taking of that action by the person or body—

(a) he shall afford the person or body, and the person who made the allegation, a reasonable opportunity of appearing before him to make representations; and

(b) having considered any representations from them, he may, in reporting his conclusions, make the order.”

(5) In subsections (3) and (4) (reports), after “recommendation” (in each place) insert “ or order ”.

(6) In subsection (6) (duty to have regard to Ombudsman’s report), for “subsection (1)(b) or (c)” substitute “ subsection (1)(b), (c) or (d) ”.

(7) For the sidenote substitute “ Recommendations and orders. ”

Marginal Citations

M4 1990 c.41.

50 Funding of Ombudsman by professional bodies. E+W

In paragraph 7 of Schedule 3 to the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (financial provisions relating to Legal Services Ombudsman), for sub-paragraph (1) (Ombudsman’s expenses to be defrayed by [F18 Secretary of State]) substitute—

“(1) The [F18 Secretary of State] may require any professional body (within the meaning of section 22 of this Act) to make payments of such amount as the [F18 Secretary of State] considers appropriate to the Ombudsman towards meeting the expenditure incurred (or to be incurred) by him in the discharge of his functions.

(1A) To the extent that that expenditure is not met by payments under sub-paragraph (1), it shall be met by the [F18 Secretary of State] out of money provided by Parliament.”

Textual Amendments

F18 Words in s. 50 substituted (19.8.2003) by The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1887), art. 9, Sch. 2 para. 11(1)(d)

Legal Services Complaints Commissioner E+W

51 Commissioner. E+W

(1) The [F19 Secretary of State] may appoint a person as Legal Services Complaints Commissioner.

(2) Any appointment of a person as Commissioner shall be for a period of not more than three years; and a person appointed as Commissioner shall hold and vacate office in accordance with the terms of his appointment.

(3) At the end of his term of appointment the Commissioner shall be eligible for re-appointment.

(4) The Commissioner shall not be an authorised advocate, authorised litigator, licensed conveyancer or authorised practitioner (within the meaning of the M5 Courts and Legal Services Act 1990) or a notary.

(5) Schedule 8 (which makes further provision about the Commissioner) has effect.

Textual Amendments

F19 Words in s. 51 substituted (19.8.2003) by The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1887), art. 9, Sch. 2 para. 11(1)(e)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 S. 51 modified (temp.) (1.1.2010) by The Legal Services Act 2007 (Commencement No. 6, Transitory, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3250), arts. 1(2), 8(2) (with art. 9)

Marginal Citations

M5 1990 c.41.

52 Commissioner’s functions. E+W

(1) If it appears to the [F20 Secretary of State] that complaints about members of any professional body are not being handled effectively and efficiently, he may by direction require the Legal Services Complaints Commissioner to consider exercising in relation to the body such of the powers in subsection (2) as are specified in the direction.

(2) Those powers are—

(a) to require a professional body to provide information, or make reports, to the Commissioner about the handling of complaints about its members,

(b) to investigate the handling of complaints about the members of a professional body,

(c) to make recommendations in relation to the handling of complaints about the members of a professional body,

(d) to set targets in relation to the handling of complaints about the members of a professional body, and

(e) to require a professional body to submit to the Commissioner a plan for the handling of complaints about its members.

(3) Where the Commissioner requires a professional body to submit to him a plan for the handling of complaints about its members but the body—

(a) fails to submit to him a plan which he considers adequate for securing that such complaints are handled effectively and efficiently, or

(b) submits to him such a plan but fails to handle complaints in accordance with it,

he may require the body to pay a penalty.

(4) Before requiring a professional body to pay a penalty under subsection (3) the Commissioner shall afford it a reasonable opportunity of appearing before him to make representations.

(5) The [F20 Secretary of State] shall by order made by statutory instrument specify the maximum amount of any penalty under subsection (3).

(6) In determining the amount of any penalty which a professional body is to be required to pay under subsection (3) the Commissioner shall have regard to all the circumstances of the case, including in particular—

(a) the total number of complaints about members of the body and, where the penalty is imposed in respect of a failure to handle complaints in accordance with a plan, the number of complaints not so handled, and

(b) the assets of the body and the number of its members.

(7) A penalty under subsection (3) shall be paid to the Commissioner who shall pay it to the [F20 Secretary of State].

(8) Where a direction under subsection (1) in relation to a professional body has been given (and not revoked), section 24(1) of the M6 Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (power of Legal Services Ombudsman to make recommendations about arrangements for investigation of complaints) shall not have effect in relation to the body.

(9) No order shall be made under subsection (5) unless a draft of the order has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.

(10) In this section “professional body” has the same meaning as in section 22 of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990.

Textual Amendments

F20 Words in s. 52 substituted (19.8.2003) by The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1887), art. 9, Sch. 2 para. 11(1)(e)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3 S. 52 modified (temp.) (1.1.2010) by The Legal Services Act 2007 (Commencement No. 6, Transitory, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/3250), arts. 1(2), 8(3)-(10) (with art. 9)

Marginal Citations

M6 1990 c.41.

Public notaries U.K.

53 Abolition of scriveners’ monopoly. E+W

A public notary may practise as a notary in, or within three miles of, the City of London whether or not he is a member of the Incorporated Company of Scriveners of London (even if he is admitted to practise only outside that area).