(1)An officer of Revenue and Customs or a person authorised by the Commissioners may conduct civil proceedings, in a magistrates' court or in the sheriff court, relating to a function of the Revenue and Customs.
(2)A solicitor member of the Commissioners' staff may act as a solicitor in connection with civil proceedings relating to a function of the Revenue and Customs.
(3)A legally qualified member of the Commissioners' staff may conduct county court proceedings relating to a matter specified in section 7.
(4)A court shall grant any rights of audience necessary to enable a person to exercise a function under this section.
(5)In this section—
(a)a reference to a function of the Revenue and Customs is a reference to a function of—
(i)the Commissioners, or
(ii)an officer of Revenue and Customs,
(b)a reference to civil proceedings is a reference to proceedings other than proceedings in respect of an offence,
(c)a reference to county court proceedings is a reference to civil proceedings in a county court,
(d)the reference to a legally qualified member of the Commissioners' staff is a reference to a member of staff who has been admitted as a solicitor, or called to the Bar, whether or not he holds a practising certificate, and
(e)the reference to a solicitor member of the Commissioners' staff—
(i)except in relation to Scotland, is a reference to a member of staff who has been admitted as a solicitor, whether or not he holds a practising certificate,
(ii)in relation to Scotland, is a reference to a member of staff who has been admitted as a solicitor and who holds a practising certificate.