United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020

27 Other exceptions from section 24

(1) Section 24(2) does not apply to existing provision (subject to subsection (3)).

(2) In subsection (1) “existing provision” means—

(a) provision that is in force on the date that this Act is passed, or

(b) provision that comes into force after that date so far as it is, in substance, a re-enactment or replication of provision within paragraph (a).

(3) Subsection (1) does not apply (and section 24(2) accordingly does apply) if, after the date on which this Act is passed, provision comes into force in a part of the United Kingdom other than the relevant part that changes the circumstances in which individuals are qualified in relation to the profession concerned.

(4) In subsection (3)—

(a) “relevant part” is to be read in accordance with section 24(1);

(b) “qualified” is to be read in accordance with section 25.

(5) Section 24(2) does not apply in relation to provision that limits the ability to practise a legal profession.

(6) In subsection (5) “legal profession” means—

(a) in relation to England or Wales, the profession of barrister, solicitor, notary, chartered legal executive, costs lawyer, licensed conveyancer or licensed CLC practitioner (see section 53 of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990);

(b) in relation to Scotland, the profession of advocate, solicitor, notary, conveyancing practitioner (see section 17 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990), executry practitioner (see section 18 of that Act) or commercial attorney;

(c) in relation to Northern Ireland, the profession of barrister, solicitor or notary;

(d) in relation to any part of the United Kingdom, the profession of patent attorney or trade mark attorney.

(7) Section 24(2) does not apply in relation to provision that limits the ability to practise the profession, or any profession, of school teaching.