Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Charities
Recognition of charities
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Charities accounts
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Supervision of charities
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Reorganisation of public trusts
Where, in the case of any public trust, the court is satisfied—the court, on the application of the trustees, may, subject to subsection (2) below, approve a scheme for the variation or reorganisation of the trust purposes.
that the purposes of the trust, whether in whole or in part—
have been fulfilled as far as it is possible to do so; or
can no longer be given effect to, whether in accordance with the directions or spirit of the trust deed or other document constituting the trust or otherwise;
that the purposes of the trust provide a use for only part of the property available under the trust;
that the purposes of the trust were expressed by reference to—
an area which has, since the trust was constituted, ceased to have effect for the purpose described expressly or by implication in the trust deed or other document constituting the trust; or
a class of persons or area which has ceased to be suitable or appropriate, having regard to the spirit of the trust deed or other document constituting the trust, or as regards which it has ceased to be practicable to administer the property available under the trust; or
that the purposes of the trust, whether in whole or in part, have, since the trust was constituted—
been adequately provided for by other means; or
ceased to be such as would enable the trust to be entered in the Scottish Charity Register; or
ceased in any other way to provide a suitable and effective method of using the property available under the trust, having regard to the spirit of the trust deed or other document constituting the trust,
The court shall not approve a scheme as mentioned in subsection (1) above unless it is satisfied that the trust purposes proposed in the scheme will enable the resources of the trust to be applied to better effect consistently with the spirit of the trust deed or other document constituting the trust, having regard to changes in social and economic conditions since the time when the trust was constituted.
Where any of paragraphs (a) to (d) of subsection (1) above applies to a public trust, an application may be made under this section for the approval of a scheme —and the court, if it is satisfied that the conditions specified in subsection (2) above are met, may approve such a scheme.
for the transfer of the assets of the trust to another public trust, whether involving a change to the trust purposes of such other trust or not; or
for the amalgamation of the trust with one or more public trusts,
Subject to subsection (5) below, an application for approval of a scheme under this section shall be made to the Court of Session.
From such day as the Lord Advocate may, by order, appoint, an application for approval of a scheme under this section may be made by a public trust having an annual income not exceeding such amount as the Secretary of State may, by order, prescribe—
to the sheriff for the place with which the trust has its closest and most real connection;
where there is no such place as is mentioned in paragraph (a) above, to the sheriff for the place where any of the trustees resides;
where neither paragraph (a) nor (b) above applies, to the sheriff of Lothian and Borders at Edinburgh.
Every application under this section shall be intimated to the Lord Advocate who shall be entitled to enter appearance as a party in any proceedings on such application, and he may lead such proof and enter such pleas as he thinks fit; and no expenses shall be claimable by or against the Lord Advocate in any proceedings in which he has entered appearance under this subsection.
This section shall be without prejudice to the power of the Court of Session to approve a cy pres scheme in relation to any public trust.
Where a majority of the trustees of any public trust having an annual income not exceeding £5,000 are of the opinion—subsection (2) below shall apply in respect of the trust.
that the purposes of the trust, whether in whole or in part—
have been fulfilled as far as it is possible to do so; or
can no longer be given effect to, whether in accordance with the directions or spirit of the trust deed or other document constituting the trust or otherwise;
that the purposes of the trust provide a use for only part of the property available under the trust;
that the purposes of the trust were expressed by reference to—
an area which has, since the trust was constituted, ceased to have effect for the purpose described expressly or by implication in the trust deed or other document constituting the trust; or
a class of persons or area which has ceased to be suitable or appropriate, having regard to the spirit of the trust deed or other document constituting the trust, or as regards which it has ceased to be practicable to administer the property available under the trust; or
that the purposes of the trust, whether in whole or in part, have, since the trust was constituted—
been adequately provided for by other means; or
ceased to be such as would enable the trust to be entered in the Scottish Charity Register; or
ceased in any other way to provide a suitable and effective method of using the property available under the trust, having regard to the spirit of the trust deed or other document constituting the trust,
Where this subsection applies in respect of a trust, the trustees may determine that, to enable the resources of the trust to be applied to better effect consistently with the spirit of the trust deed or other document constituting the trust—
a modification of the trust’s purposes should be made;
the whole assets of the trust should be transferred to another public trust; or
that the trust should be amalgamated with one or more public trusts.
Where the trustees of a trust determine as mentioned in subsection (2)(a) above, they may, subject to subsections (4) to (6) below, pass a resolution that the trust deed be modified by replacing the trust purposes by other purposes specified in the resolution.
The trustees shall ensure that, so far as is practicable in the circumstances, the purposes so specified are not so far dissimilar in character to those of the purposes set out in the original trust deed or other document constituting the trust that such modification of the trust deed would constitute an unreasonable departure from the spirit of such trust deed or other document.
Before passing a resolution under subsection (3) above the trustees shall have regard—
where the trust purposes relate to a particular locality, to the circumstances of the locality; and
to the extent to which it may be desirable to achieve economy by amalgamating two or more trusts.
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Subject to subsection (14) below, a modification of trust purposes under this section shall not have effect before the expiry of a period of two months commencing with the date on which any advertisement in pursuance of regulations made under subsection (13) below is first published.
Where the trustees determine as mentioned in subsection (2)(b) above they may pass a resolution that the trust be wound up and that the assets of the trust be transferred to another trust or trusts the purposes of which are not so dissimilar in character to those of the trust to be wound up as to constitute an unreasonable departure from the spirit of the trust deed or other document constituting the trust to be wound up.
Before passing a resolution under subsection (8) above, the trustees shall—
where the trust purposes relate to a particular locality, have regard to the circumstances of the locality;
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ascertain that the trustees of the trust to which it is proposed to transfer the assets will consent to the transfer of the assets.
Where the trustees determine as mentioned in subsection (2)(c) above, they may pass a resolution that the trust be amalgamated with one or more other trusts so that the purposes of the trust constituted by such amalgamation will not be so dissimilar in character to those of the trust to which the resolution relates as to constitute an unreasonable departure from the spirit of the trust deed or other document constituting the last mentioned trust.
Before passing a resolution under subsection (10) above, the trustees shall—
where the trust purposes relate to a particular locality, have regard to the circumstances of the locality;
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ascertain that the trustees of any other trust with which it is proposed that the trust will be amalgamated will agree to such amalgamation.
Subject to subsection (14) below, a transfer of trust assets or an amalgamation of two or more trusts under this section shall not be effected before the expiry of a period of two months commencing with the date on which any advertisement in pursuance of regulations made under subsection (13) below is first published.
The Secretary of State may, by regulations, prescribe the procedure to be followed by trustees following upon a resolution passed under subsection (3), (8) or (10) above, and such regulations may, without prejudice to the generality, include provision as to advertisement of the proposed modification or winding up, the making of objections by persons with an interest in the purposes of the trust, notification to the Lord Advocate of the terms of the resolution and the time within which anything requires to be done.
If it appears to the Lord Advocate, whether in consideration of any objections made in pursuance of regulations made under subsection (13) above or otherwise—he may direct the trust not to proceed with the modification or, as the case may be winding up and transfer of funds or amalgamation.
that the trust deed should not be modified as mentioned in subsection (3) above;
that the trust should not be wound up as mentioned in subsection (8) above; or
that the trust should not be amalgamated as mentioned in subsection (10) above,
The Secretary of State may, by order, amend subsection (1) above by substituting a different figure for the figure, for the time being, mentioned in that subsection.
This section shall apply to any trust to which section 223 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (property held on trust by local authorities) applies.
This section applies to any public trust which has an annual income not exceeding £1,000 where the trust deed or other document constituting the trust prohibits the expenditure of any of the trust capital.
In the case of any trust to which this section applies where the trustees—they may, subject to subsection (3) below, proceed with the expenditure of capital.
have resolved unanimously that, having regard to the purposes of the trust, the income of the trust is too small to enable the purposes of the trust to be achieved; and
are satisfied that either there is no reasonable prospect of effecting a transfer of the trust’s assets under section 10 of this Act or that the expenditure of capital is more likely to achieve the purposes of the trust,
Not less than two months before proceeding to expend capital, the trustees shall advertise their intention to do so in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State and shall notify the Lord Advocate of such intention.
If it appears to the Lord Advocate that there are insufficient grounds for the expenditure of capital he may apply to the court for an order prohibiting such expenditure, and if the court is satisfied that there are such insufficient grounds it may grant the order.
The Secretary of State may, by order, amend subsection (1) above by substituting a different figure for the figure, for the time being, mentioned in that subsection.
Dormant charities
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Miscellaneous
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Interpretation
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Nothing in this Part of this Act, except section 1, shall affect—
any educational endowment within the meaning of section 122(1) of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980; or
any body entered in the Scottish Charity Register.
The War Charities Act 1940 shall cease to have effect as regards Scotland; but nothing in this subsection shall affect any prosecution for an offence under that Act which has been instituted before the commencement of this section.
Any power in this Part of this Act of the Secretary of State to make regulations or orders shall be exercisable by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
Legal Services
Conveyancing and executry services
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.
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.
The Council shall establish and maintain a register of conveyancing practitioners, which shall be available for inspection by any person without charge.
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.
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.
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 Council are satisfied that the applicant—the Council shall grant the application and shall enter the applicant’s name in the register of conveyancing practitioners.
is a fit and proper person to provide conveyancing services as a conveyancing practitioner; and
complies with the requirements of rules made under subsection (11)(a) below and rules referred to in subsection (11B) below in so far as they relate to educational qualifications and practical training,
The Council may charge such fee for registration under subsection (2) above as they may determine.
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Where the Council—
grant an application under subsection (2) above, they may attach such conditions as they may determine, and shall—
record any such conditions against the applicant’s name in the register; and
give the applicant written reasons for any decision to attach such conditions;
refuse such an application, they shall give the applicant written reasons for their decision.
Where the Council—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.
grant an application under subsection (2) above subject to conditions; or
refuse such an application,
Where the Council 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.
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Any person or body other than—who employs a conveyancing 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.
an independent conveyancing practitioner; or
a solicitor; or
an incorporated practice within the meaning of section 65 of the 1980 Act (interpretation); or
a multi-disciplinary practice within the meaning of that section,
Where a conveyancing practitioner applies to the Council to remove his name from the register the Council shall—grant the application and amend the register accordingly.
where, in the case of an independent conveyancing practitioner, they are satisfied that he has made adequate arrangements with respect to the business he then has in hand; and
in any other case, without further enquiry,
The Council shall send to the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland—
as soon as practicable after 1st April in each year, a list of all conveyancing practitioners; and
written notice of any subsequent change to the register of conveyancing practitioners.
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—
educational qualifications and practical training (including continuing professional development);
the manner in which such practitioners conduct the provision of conveyancing services;
complaints against such practitioners; and
in the case of independent conveyancing practitioners—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.
conflicts of interest;
the contractual obligations of such practitioners;
the holding of and accounting for clients' money;
the disclosure of and accounting for commission; and
professional indemnity insurance and other arrangements for meeting claims by clients,
Rules made under subsection (11) above shall not have effect unless they have been approved by—
the Lord President of the Court of Session; and
subject to section 40 of this Act, the Scottish Ministers.
Any—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.
rules as to the requirements to be satisfied by any person applying for registration as a qualified conveyancer; and
regulations as to the conduct and practice of independent qualified conveyancers,
Failure by a practitioner to comply with any rule made under subsection (11) or any rule or regulation referred to in subsection (11B) may be treated as professional misconduct or unsatisfactory professional conduct.
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The Council shall, in relation to the provision of conveyancing services by independent conveyancing practitioners ...—
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make suitable arrangements (whether by means of insurance policies or otherwise) to secure that any successful claims made against such a practitioner in connection with the provision of conveyancing services are satisfied.
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It shall be the duty of—
the Council to ensure such compliance.
Where, under or by virtue of any enactment—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 conveyancing 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 conveyancing practitioner.
a warrant of registration is required for recording any deed in the General Register of Sasines; or
an application for registration is required for registering an interest in land in the Land Register of Scotland,
A conveyancing 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 conveyancing practitioner, solicitor or incorporated practice by whom he is employed or, where he is himself an independent conveyancing practitioner, his designation as such.
Any person who—shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.
wilfully and falsely—
pretends to be a conveyancing practitioner; or
takes or uses any name, title, addition or description implying that he is a conveyancing practitioner; or
being a conveyancing practitioner, provides conveyancing services at a time when his registration as such is suspended,
Any conveyancing practitioner not registered as an independent conveyancing practitioner ... who—shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.
wilfully and falsely—
pretends to be an independent conveyancing practitioner; or
takes or uses any name, title, addition or description implying that he is an independent conveyancing practitioner; or
provides conveyancing services to the public for a fee, gain or reward,
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—he (as well as the body corporate) shall be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
any director, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate; or
any person who was purporting to act in any such capacity,
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.
Any independent conveyancing practitioner who provides conveyancing services upon the account of, or for the profit of, any person other than—knowing that person not to be a solicitor, incorporated practice , licensed provider ... or independent conveyancing practitioner, shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.
a solicitor;
an incorporated practice within the meaning of section 65 of the 1980 Act;
a licensed legal services provider within the meaning of Part 2 of the Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2010;
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another independent conveyancing practitioner,
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—shall be of no effect.
acting as an employee of an independent conveyancing practitioner in connection with the provision of conveyancing services; or
acting on behalf of an independent conveyancing practitioner in connection with the provision of such services,
The Council shall establish and maintain a register of executry practitioners, which shall be available for inspection by any person without charge.
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.
Where, on an application made to them by a natural person in such form as they may determine, the Council are satisfied that the applicant fulfils the conditions specified in subsection (3) below, the Council shall grant the application and shall enter the applicant’s name in the register of executry practitioners.
The Council may charge such fee for registration under subsection (2) above as they may determine.
The conditions referred to in subsection (2) above are that the applicant—
is a fit and proper person to provide executry services; and
complies with the requirements of 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; ...
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The Council may require an applicant under subsection (2) above to provide such further information in connection with the application as they consider necessary.
Where the Council—
grant an application under subsection (2) above, they may attach such conditions as they may determine, and shall
record any such conditions against the applicant’s name in the register; and
give the applicant written reasons for any decision to attach such conditions;
refuse such an application, they shall give the applicant written reasons for their decision.
Where the Council—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.
grant an application under subsection (2) above subject to conditions; or
refuse such an application,
Where the Council 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 him, apply to the Court of Session and the Court may make such order in the matter as it thinks fit.
Where an executry practitioner applies to the Council to remove his name from the register the Council shall, if they are satisfied that the practitioner has made adequate arrangements with respect to the business he then has in hand, grant the application and amend the register accordingly.
The Council shall send to the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland and to each sheriff clerk—
as soon as practicable after 1st April in each year, a list of all executry practitioners; and
written notice of any subsequent change to the register of executry practitioners.
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—
educational qualifications and practical training (including continuing professional development);
the manner in which such practitioners conduct the provision of executry services;
complaints against such practitioners; and
in the case of such practitioners who provide executry services to the public for a fee, gain or reward—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.
conflicts of interest;
the contractual obligations of such practitioners;
the holding of and accounting for clients' money;
the disclosure of and accounting for commission; and
professional indemnity insurance and other arrangements for meeting claims by clients,
Rules made under subsection (10) above shall not have effect unless they have been approved by—
the Lord President of the Court of Session; and
subject to section 40 of this Act, the Scottish Ministers.
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.
Failure by a practitioner to comply with any rule made under subsection (10) or any rule or regulation referred to in subsection (10B) may be treated as professional misconduct or unsatisfactory professional conduct.
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It shall be the duty of—
the Council to ensure such compliance.
Any person who—shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.
wilfully and falsely—
pretends to be an executry practitioner; or
takes or uses any name, title, addition or description implying that he is an executry practitioner; or
being an executry practitioner, provides executry services at a time when his registration as such is suspended,
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.
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.
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—he (as well as the body corporate) shall be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
any director, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate, or
any person who was purporting to act in any such capacity,
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.
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Where, after such inquiry as they consider appropriate into a conduct complaint remitted to them under section 6(2)(a) or 15(5)(a) of the 2007 Act suggesting professional misconduct by a practitioner or that the circumstances referred to in paragraph (a)(ii) of section 2(1) of the 2007 Act apply as respects a practitioner and after giving the practitioner concerned an opportunity to make representations, the Council are satisfied that a 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.
is guilty of professional misconduct;
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has been convicted of a criminal offence rendering him no longer a fit and proper person to provide conveyancing services as a conveyancing practitioner or, as the case may be, executry services as an executry practitioner,
The steps referred to in subsection (1) above are—
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to attach conditions (or, as the case may be, further conditions) to the registration of the practitioner or to vary any condition so attached;
where the Council consider that the complainer has been directly affected by the professional misconduct or, as the case may be, the matter referred to in paragraph (d) of subsection (1), to direct the practitioner to pay compensation of such amount, not exceeding £5,000, as the Council may specify to the complainer for loss, inconvenience or distress resulting from the misconduct or, as the case may be, the matter;
subject to subsection (2ZA) below, to impose on the practitioner a fine not exceeding £2,000;
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to make a report of the Council's findings to any other person exercising functions with respect to—
the practitioner; or
any person employed by or acting on behalf of the practitioner in connection with the provision of the services.
The Council shall not impose a fine under subsection (2)(cb) above where, in relation to the subject matter of the complaint, the practitioner has been convicted by any court of an offence involving dishonesty and sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than 2 years.
Any fine imposed under subsection (2)(cb) above shall be treated for the purposes of section 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.
Where—the Tribunal may take such of the steps set out in subsection (2B) below as they think fit.
after holding an inquiry into a conduct complaint against a practitioner, the Tribunal are satisfied that—
he has been guilty of professional misconduct; or
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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 steps referred to in subsection (2A) above are—
to suspend or revoke the registration of the practitioner;
where the practitioner has been guilty of professional misconduct, and where the Tribunal consider that the complainer has been directly affected by the misconduct, to direct the practitioner to pay compensation of such amount, not exceeding £5,000, as the Tribunal may specify to the complainer for loss, inconvenience or distress resulting from the misconduct;
subject to subsection (3) below, to impose on the practitioner a fine not exceeding £10,000;
to censure the practitioner; and
a step which the Council may take in respect of a practitioner under subsection (2)(c) above.
The Tribunal shall not impose a fine under subsection (2B)(b) above where, in relation to the subject matter of the Tribunal'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.
Any fine imposed under subsection (2B)(b) above shall be treated for the purposes of section 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.
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Where the Council make a direction under ... subsection (2)(ca) or the Tribunal make a direction under subsection (2B)(aa), 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 to the Council, within such period being not less than 21 days as the notice may specify, an explanation of the steps which he ... has taken to comply with the direction.
Where a practitioner—the Council may apply to the court for an order requiring the practitioner to comply with the direction to which the notice relates within such time as the court may order.
fails to comply with a notice under subsection (6) above; or
complies with such a notice but the Council are not satisfied as to the steps taken by the practitioner to comply with the direction to which the notice relates,
Where the Council take a step set out in subsection (2)(c) above or the 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—the Council shall amend the register of executry practitioners or, as the case may be, the register of conveyancing practitioners accordingly.
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;
where such an application or appeal is made, the matter is finally determined in favour of the Council's or, as the case may be, Tribunal's decision or the application or appeal is withdrawn,
Where the Council are satisfied that a practitioner is guilty of professional misconduct or that the circumstances referred to in subsection (1)(d) apply as respects a practitioner, the practitioner may—
before the expiry of the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the finding by the Council to that effect is intimated to him, apply to the Council for a review by them of the finding;
before the expiry of the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the outcome of the review is intimated to him, appeal to the Tribunal against the decision of the Council in the review; and the Tribunal may quash or confirm the decision.
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Where the Council take a step set out in subsection (2)(c) to (cb) above, the practitioner concerned 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; and
within 21 days of the date on which the outcome of such review is intimated to him, appeal to the Tribunal against the decision made in any such review; and the Tribunal may quash, confirm or vary that decision
Where the Council find that a practitioner is guilty of professional misconduct or that the circumstances referred to in subsection (1)(d) apply as respects a practitioner but do not direct him under subsection (2)(ca) to pay compensation, the complainer may, before the expiry of the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the Council's finding is intimated to him, apply to the Council for a review by them of their decision not to direct the practitioner under subsection (2)(ca) to pay compensation.
A complainer to whom the Council have directed a practitioner under subsection (2)(ca) to pay compensation may, before the expiry of the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the direction under that subsection is intimated to him, apply to the Council for a review by them of the direction.
The complainer may, before the expiry of the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the outcome of the review under subsection (11ZA) or (11ZB) is intimated to him, appeal to the Tribunal against the decision of the Council in the review; and the Tribunal may quash, confirm or vary the decision.
Within 21 days of the date on which—is intimated to the practitioner concerned, he may appeal to the court against the decision made by the Tribunal in the appeal the finding referred to in paragraph (aa) or, as the case may be, the decision to take such a step; and the court may make such order in the matter as it thinks fit.
the outcome of any appeal under subsection(8A)(b) or(11)(b) above; or
a finding by the Tribunal that a practitioner is guilty of professional misconduct or that the circumstances mentioned in subsection (1)(d) apply as respects the practitioner; or
the taking of any step referred to in subsection (2B) above,
The complainer may, before the expiry of the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the outcome of any appeal under subsection (11ZC) is intimated to him, appeal to the court against the Tribunal's decision in the appeal.
Where after holding an inquiry into a complaint against a practitioner, the Tribunal find that he has been guilty of professional misconduct or that the circumstances referred to in subsection (2A)(b) apply as respects him, but do not direct the practitioner under subsection (2B)(aa) to pay compensation, the complainer may, before the expiry of the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the Tribunal's finding is intimated to him, appeal to the court against the decision of the Tribunal not to make a direction under that subsection.
A complainer to whom the Tribunal have directed a practitioner under subsection (2B)(aa) to pay compensation may, before the expiry of the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the direction under that subsection is intimated to him, appeal to the court against the amount of the compensation directed to be paid.
In an appeal under subsection (11C) or (11D), the court may make such order in the matter as it thinks fit.
A direction of the Tribunal under this section is enforceable in like manner as an extract registered decree arbitral in its favour bearing a warrant for execution issued by the sheriff court of any sheriffdom in Scotland.
The Scottish Ministers may by order made by statutory instrument, after consulting the Council and such groups of persons representing consumer interests as they consider appropriate, amend subsection (2)(ca) or (2B)(aa) by substituting for the amount for the time being specified in that provision such other amount as they consider appropriate.
A statutory instrument containing an order under subsection (11G) is not to be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before, and approved by resolution of, the Scottish Parliament.
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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 (2)(cb) or (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.
In this section “executry practitioner” and “ conveyancing practitioner ” respectively include any executry practitioner or conveyancing practitioner whether or not ... he was registered as such at the time when the subject matter of the Council’s or, as the case may be, Tribunal's inquiry occurred and notwithstanding that subsequent to that time ... he has ceased to be so registered.
Where, after holding an inquiry under section 20(2A) into a complaint of professional misconduct against a practitioner, the Tribunal—they must remit the complaint to the Council.
are not satisfied that he has been guilty of professional misconduct;
consider that he may be guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct,
Where the Tribunal remit a complaint to the Council under subsection (1), they may make available to the Council any of their findings in fact in their inquiry into the complaint under section 20(2A).
Where a conduct complaint suggesting unsatisfactory professional conduct by a practitioner is remitted to the Council under section 6(2)(a) or 15(5)(a) of the 2007 Act, the Council must having—determine the complaint.
investigated the complaint under section 47(1) of that Act and made a written report under section 47(2) of that Act;
given the practitioner an opportunity to make representations,
Where a complaint is remitted to the Council under section 20ZA, the Council—
must—
notify the practitioner specified in it and the complainer of that fact and that the Council are required to investigate the complaint as a complaint of unsatisfactory professional conduct;
so investigate the complaint;
having so investigated the complaint and given the practitioner an opportunity to make representations, determine the complaint;
may rely, in their investigation, on any findings in fact which the Tribunal make available to them under section 20ZA(2) as respects the complaint.
Where the Council make a determination under subsection (1) or (2) upholding the complaint, they—
shall censure the practitioner;
may take any of the steps mentioned in subsection (4) which they consider appropriate.
The steps are—
where the Council consider that the practitioner does not have sufficient competence in relation to any aspect of conveyancing law or legal practice or, as the case may be, executry law or legal practice, to direct him to undertake such education or training as regards the law or legal practice concerned as the Council consider appropriate in that respect;
subject to subsection (6) below, to direct the practitioner to pay a fine not exceeding £2,000;
where the Council consider that the complainer has been directly affected by the conduct, to direct the practitioner to pay compensation of such amount, not exceeding £5,000, as they may specify to the complainer for loss, inconvenience or distress resulting from the conduct.
The Council may, in considering the complaint, take account of any previous determination by them, the Tribunal or the court upholding a complaint against the practitioner of unsatisfactory professional conduct or professional misconduct (but not a complaint in respect of which an appeal is pending or which has been quashed ultimately on appeal).
The Council shall not direct the practitioner to pay a fine under subsection (4)(b) above where, in relation to the subject matter of the complaint, he has been convicted by any court of an offence involving dishonesty and sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than 2 years.
Any fine directed to be paid under subsection (4)(b) above shall be treated for the purposes of section 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.
The Council shall intimate—to the complainer and the practitioner by sending to each of them a copy of the determination, the censure or, as the case may be, the direction and by specifying the reasons for the determination.
a determination under subsection (1) or (2);
any censure under subsection (3)(a);
any direction under subsection (4),
A practitioner in respect of whom a determination upholding a conduct complaint has been made under subsection (1) or (2), or a direction has been made under subsection (4) may, before the expiry of the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the determination or, as the case may be, the direction is intimated to him, appeal to the Tribunal against the—
determination;
direction (whether or not he is appealing against the determination).
A complainer may, before the expiry of the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which a determination under subsection (1) or (2) not upholding the conduct complaint is intimated to him, appeal to the Tribunal against the determination.
Where the Council have upheld the conduct complaint but have not directed the practitioner under subsection (4)(c) to pay compensation, the complainer may, before the expiry of the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the determination upholding the complaint is intimated to him, appeal to the Tribunal against the Council's decision not to make a direction under that subsection.
A complainer to whom the Council have directed a practitioner under subsection (4)(c) to pay compensation may, before the expiry of the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the direction under that subsection is intimated to him, appeal to the Tribunal against the amount of the compensation directed to be paid.
The Scottish Ministers may by order made by statutory instrument—
amend subsection (4)(b) by substituting for the amount for the time being specified in that subsection such other amount as appears to them to be justified by a change in the value of money;
after consulting the Council and such groups of persons representing consumer interests as they consider appropriate, amend subsection (4)(c) by substituting for the amount for the time being specified in that subsection such other amount as they consider appropriate.
A statutory instrument containing an order under—
subsection (13)(a) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the Scottish Parliament;
subsection (13)(b) is not to be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before, and approved by resolution of, the Scottish Parliament.
The Council shall, by notice in writing, require every practitioner who is specified in—to give, before the expiry of such period being not less than 21 days as the notice specifies, an explanation of the steps which he has taken to comply with the direction.
a direction made under section 20ZB(4); or
such a direction as confirmed or varied on appeal by—
the Tribunal; or
the court,
Where an appeal is made under section 20ZB(9) or (12) or 20D(1) or (2) against a direction made under section 20ZB(4), any notice under subsection (1) above relating to the direction shall cease to have effect pending the outcome of the appeal.
Where the Council receive a report from the Commission under section 10(2)(e) of the 2007 Act as respects a practitioner, they may direct him to undertake such education or training as regards conveyancing law or legal practice or, as the case may be, executry law or legal practice as they consider appropriate in the circumstances.
The Council shall by notice in writing—
intimate a direction under subsection (1) to the practitioner;
require the practitioner to give, before the expiry of such period being not less than 21 days as the notice specifies, an explanation of the steps which he has taken to comply with the direction.
Where an appeal is made under section 20ZE(1) or (3) against a direction under subsection (1), any notice under subsection (2)(b) relating to the direction shall cease to have effect pending the outcome of the appeal.
A practitioner in respect of whom a direction has been made under section 20ZD(1) may, before the expiry of the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which it is intimated to him, appeal to the Tribunal against the direction.
On an appeal to the Tribunal under subsection (1), the Tribunal may quash, confirm or vary the direction being appealed against.
The practitioner may, before the expiry of the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the Tribunal's decision under subsection (2) is intimated to him, appeal to the court against the decision.
On an appeal to the court under subsection (3), the court may give such directions in the matter as it thinks fit, including directions as to the expenses of the proceedings before the court and as to any order by the Tribunal relating to expenses.
A decision of the court on an appeal under subsection (3) shall be final.
The Council shall establish a procedure under which they shall, on the application of any aggrieved person, review any relevant decision made by them.
In subsection (1) above—
“relevant decision” means–
a refusal to grant an application for registration as a practitioner;
a decision to grant an application for registration as a practitioner subject to conditions; or
a decision to take any step set out in subsection(2)(c) to(cb) of section 20 of this Act; and
“aggrieved person” means the applicant or, as the case may be, the practitioner concerned.
On an appeal to the Tribunal under section 20ZB(9) the Tribunal—
may quash or confirm the determination being appealed against;
if they quash the determination, shall quash the censure accompanying the determination;
may quash, confirm or vary the direction being appealed against;
may, where they consider that the practitioner does not have sufficient competence in relation to any aspect of conveyancing law or legal practice or, as the case may be, executry law or legal practice, direct him to undertake such education or training as regards the law or legal practice concerned as the Tribunal consider appropriate in that respect;
may, subject to subsection (5), fine the practitioner an amount not exceeding £2000;
may, where they consider that the complainer has been directly affected by the conduct, direct the practitioner to pay compensation of such amount, not exceeding £5,000, as they may specify to the complainer for loss, inconvenience or distress resulting from the conduct.
On an appeal to the Tribunal under section 20ZB(10) the Tribunal—
may quash the determination being appealed against and make a determination upholding the complaint;
if they do so, may, where they consider that the complainer has been directly affected by the conduct, direct the practitioner to pay compensation of such amount, not exceeding £5,000, as they may specify to the complainer for loss, inconvenience or distress resulting from the conduct;
may confirm the determination.
On an appeal to the Tribunal under section 20ZB(11) the Tribunal may, where they consider that the complainer has been directly affected by the conduct, direct the practitioner to pay compensation of such amount, not exceeding £5,000, as they may specify to the complainer for loss, inconvenience or distress resulting from the conduct.
On an appeal under section 20ZB(12) the Tribunal may quash, confirm or vary the direction being appealed against.
The Tribunal shall not direct the practitioner to pay a fine under subsection (1)(e) where, in relation to the subject matter of the complaint, he has been convicted by any court of an offence involving dishonesty and sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than 2 years.
Any fine directed to be paid under subsection (1)(e) shall be treated for the purposes of section 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.
A direction of the Tribunal under this section is enforceable in like manner as an extract registered decree arbitral in favour of the Council bearing a warrant for execution issued by the sheriff court of any sheriffdom in Scotland.
The Scottish Ministers may by order made by statutory instrument—
amend subsection (1)(e) by substituting for the amount for the time being specified in that subsection such other amount as appears to them to be justified by a change in the value of money;
after consulting the Council and such groups of persons representing consumer interests as they consider appropriate, amend subsection (1)(f) by substituting for the amount for the time being specified in that subsection such other amount as they consider appropriate.
A statutory instrument containing an order under—
subsection (8)(a) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the Scottish Parliament;
subsection (8)(b) is not to be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before, and approved by resolution of, the Scottish Parliament.
Where a practitioner fails to comply with a direction given by the Council under section 20ZB(4) (including such a direction as confirmed or varied on appeal by the Tribunal or, as the case may be, the court) before the expiry of the period specified in the notice relating to that direction given to the practitioner under section 20ZC(1), or such longer period as the Council may allow, the direction shall be enforceable in like manner as an extract registered decree arbitral in favour of the Council bearing a warrant for execution issued by the sheriff court of any sheriffdom in Scotland.
A complainer may, before the expiry of the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which a decision by the Tribunal under section 20B to which this subsection applies is intimated to him, appeal to the court against the decision.
Subsection (2) applies to the following decisions of the Tribunal under section 20B—
a decision under subsection (1)(a) quashing the Council's determination upholding the complaint;
a decision under subsection (1)(c) quashing or varying a direction by the Council that the practitioner pay compensation;
a decision under subsection (1)(f) directing the practitioner to pay compensation;
a decision under subsection (2)(b) not to direct the practitioner to pay compensation;
a decision under subsection (2)(c) confirming the Council's decision not to uphold the complaint;
a decision under subsection (3) confirming the Council's decision not to direct the practitioner to pay compensation;
a decision under subsection (4) quashing the Council's direction that the practitioner pay compensation or varying the amount of compensation directed to be paid.
On an appeal under subsection (1) or (2), the court may give such directions in the matter as it thinks fit, including directions as to the expenses of the proceedings before the court and as to any order by the Tribunal relating to expenses.
A decision of the court under subsection (4) shall be final.
On an appeal under section 20D, the court may—
fine the practitioner an amount not exceeding £2000;
where it considers that the complainer has been directly affected by the conduct, direct the practitioner to pay compensation of such amount, not exceeding £5,000, as it may specify to the complainer for loss, inconvenience or distress resulting from the conduct;
find the practitioner liable in any expenses which may be involved in the proceedings before it.
A decision of the court under subsection (1) shall be final.
The Scottish Ministers may by order made by statutory instrument—
amend subsection (1)(a) by substituting for the amount for the time being specified in that subsection such other amount as appears to them to be justified by a change in the value of money;
after consulting the Council and such groups of persons representing consumer interests as they consider appropriate, amend subsection (1)(b) by substituting for the amount for the time being specified in that subsection such other amount as they consider appropriate.
A statutory instrument containing an order under—
subsection (3)(a) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the Scottish Parliament;
subsection (3)(b) is not to be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before, and approved by resolution of, the Scottish Parliament.
The powers conferred on the Council by this section may be exercised if, after such inquiry (if any) as the Council 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 conveyancing practitioner or an executry practitioner (each of whom is in this section referred to as a “relevant practitioner”).
The Council may, in particular, exercise any such power where it appears to them that a relevant practitioner—
is no longer a fit and proper person to provide conveyancing services or, as the case may be, executry services; or
has ceased, for whatever reason, to provide such services; ...
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The Council may direct the relevant practitioner not to dispose of, or otherwise deal with, except in accordance with the terms of the direction—
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 conveyancing practitioner or, as the case may be, an executry practitioner; or
any assets of the practitioner which are specified, or of a kind specified, in the direction.
The Council may direct the relevant practitioner to transfer to the Council, or to such persons (in this section referred to as “the trustees”) as may be specified in the direction—
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 conveyancing practitioner or, as the case may be, an executry practitioner; or
any assets of the practitioner which are specified, or of a kind specified, in the direction.
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, which may make such order in the matter as it thinks fit.
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 under subsection (5) above).
If, on an application to the court by the Council, the court is satisfied—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.
that a relevant practitioner has failed, within a reasonable time, to comply with any direction given to him; or
that there is a reasonable likelihood that a relevant practitioner will so fail,
Any assets which have been transferred as a result of a direction given under subsection (4) above shall be held by the Council, or by the trustees, on trust for the client or, as the case may be, the practitioner concerned.
The trustees may deal with any assets which have been transferred to them only in accordance with directions given to them by the Council.
If the Council 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 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.
Any direction under this section—
shall be given in writing;
shall state the reason why it is being given;
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
may be varied or revoked by a further direction given by the Council.
Where the Council make a direction under subsection (3) or (4) or apply to the court for an order under subsection (10), the Council shall notify the Commission to that effect and provide it with details of their findings in any inquiry held by virtue of subsection (1) as respects the practitioner concerned.
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 conveyancing practitioner” and “executry practitioner” respectively include any independent conveyancing practitioner or executry practitioner whether or not he was registered as such at the time when the matter in relation to which the Council 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.
The Council may exercise the power conferred by subsection (3) below for the purpose of
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consideration by the Council whether to exercise the powers conferred on them by section 21 of this Act.
The Tribunal may exercise the power conferred by subsection (3) below for any of the following purposes—
an inquiry under subsection (2A) of section 20 of this Act; and
an appeal under subsection(8A)(b), (11)(b) or (11ZC) of that section.
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—
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;
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.
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.
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 Tribunal) apply in relation to complaints made against conveyancing and executry practitioners as they apply in relation to complaints against solicitors, but as if—
in paragraph 9(a)(i) and (b), the words “or, as the case may be, of provision of inadequate professional services” were omitted;
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(8A)(b), (11)(b) or (11ZC) of section 20, 20ZB(9), (10), (11) or (12) or 20ZE(1) of this Act as they apply, by virtue of subsection (1) above, in relation to any complaint against conveyancing and executry practitioners, and—
the modifications made to those paragraphs by paragraph 23(a),(ca), (cc), (cd) and (d) of that Schedule apply for the purposes of that application of those paragraphs; and
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 and as regards paragraph 25 also as if for the words“ the solicitor, the firm of solicitors or, as the case may be, the incorporated practice ”there were substituted“ the practitioner ”.
In the case of a decision by the Tribunal—subsection (4) below applies.
to take any of the steps set out in subsection (2B) of section 20 of this Act; or
in an appeal under subsection(8A)(b), (11)(b) or (11ZC) of that section,
Where this subsection applies and—
no appeal has been made to the court under subsection (11A)(11B), (11C) or (11D) of section 20 of this Act against the decision; or
such an appeal has been made but has—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.
been withdrawn; or
resulted in the Tribunal’s decision being upheld,
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—
give effect to the decision; and
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.
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Any communication made to or by—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 practitioner had at all material times been a solicitor acting for the client.
an independent conveyancing practitioner or an executry practitioner in the course of his ... acting as such for a client; or
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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—as it has effect in relation to a solicitor.
an independent conveyancing practitioner; and
an executry practitioner; ...
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In sections 16 to 22 of this Act and this section, except where the context otherwise requires—...“complainer” means the person who made the complaint and, where the complaint was made by the person on behalf of another person, includes that other person;“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, including (in the case of independent conveyancing practitioners) relevant notarial services, but does not include any services—“the Council” means the Council of the Law Society of Scotland;“the court” means the Court of Session;“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 carrying on a regulated activity within the meaning of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000;...“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 conveyancing practitioner;...... and“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).“the Tribunal” means the Scottish Solicitors' Discipline Tribunal;“unsatisfactory professional conduct” has the meaning given (as respects a conveyancing practitioner or, as the case may be, an executry practitioner) by section 46 of the 2007 Act
relating to the arranging of a loan; or
falling within section 1(1)(a) of the Estate Agents Act 1979;
Rights of audience
After section 25 of the 1980 Act there shall be inserted the following section—.
Any professional or other body may, for the purpose of enabling any of their members who is a natural person to acquire—make an application in that regard to the Lord President and the Secretary of State.
rights to conduct litigation on behalf of members of the public; and
rights of audience,
An application under subsection (1) above shall include a draft scheme—and shall state that the body have complied with the provisions of Schedule 2 to this Act.
specifying—in relation to which the application is made;
the courts;
the categories of proceedings;
the nature of the business; and
the rights to conduct litigation and the rights of audience,
describing—in the event of the application being granted; and
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
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 section 27 of this Act,
proposing arrangements for—
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 section 27 of this Act in the event of the application being granted; and
the treatment by the body of complaints remitted to the body under section 6(2)(a) or 15(5)(a) of the 2007 Act in relation to... members of the body exercising rights acquired by virtue of section 27 of this Act in the event of the application being granted,
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 section 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.
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.
Regulations under this section shall be made by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
Schedule 2 shall have effect in relation to the publication of applications made under subsection (1) above.
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).
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.
The Lord President and the Secretary of State shall—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 CMA 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.
consult each other in considering a draft scheme submitted to them under section 25(1); and
consider any written representations timeously made to them under Schedule 2 to this Act,
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—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.
to achieve; and
to ensure the maintenance of,
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).
After they have considered a draft scheme under subsections (1) and (3) above, if the Lord President and the Secretary of State—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.
are satisfied with the draft scheme, the Lord President shall grant the application, and shall so inform the body;
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,
Where the Lord President has granted an application under subsection (6)(a) above, in relation to—make such provision for giving effect to the scheme as appears to it to be appropriate.
civil proceedings, the Court of Session may by act of sederunt; and
criminal proceedings, the High Court of Justiciary may by act of adjournal,
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.
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.
Nothing in subsection (1) above affects the power of any court in relation to any proceedings—
to hear a person who would not otherwise have a right of audience before that court in relation to those proceedings; or
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.
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.
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—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.
stating the order of precedence of courts for the purposes of this subsection;
stating general criteria to which members of the body should have regard in determining whether to accept instructions in particular circumstances; and
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,
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.
Any person who wilfully and falsely—shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.
pretends to have any right to conduct litigation or right of audience by virtue of this section; or
where he has any such right, pretends to have any further such right which he does not have; or
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,
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.
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.
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—
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
relating to the particular circumstances of a particular body.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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—without being entitled to do so apart from the regulations.
prescribed rights of audience; or
prescribed rights to conduct litigation,
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.
Regulations made under subsection (1) above may, in particular—
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;
prescribe legal services which may not be provided by any person practising by virtue of the regulations;
prescribe the title or description which must be used by any person practising by virtue of the regulations;
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
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.
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.
Regulations under this section shall be made by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
In this section “practitioner” means, in relation to England and Wales and Northern Ireland—
a barrister or solicitor; and
any person falling within such category as may be prescribed in regulations made by the Secretary of State after consultation with the Lord President.
Rules of conduct
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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 CMA in accordance with section 40 of this Act, and thereafter, having—he may approve or refuse to approve the rule.
considered any advice tendered to him by the CMA;
compared the rule applicable in the Court of Session with the equivalent rule applicable in the sheriff court; and
considered whether the interests of justice require that there should be such a rule in the Court of Session,
In section 34 of the 1980 Act (rules as to professional practice, conduct and discipline)—
at the end of subsection (1A) there shall be inserted—; and
after subsection (3) there shall be inserted—.
Multi-national practices
Before section 61 of the 1980 Act there shall be inserted the following section—
Complaints in relation to legal services
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Scottish legal services ombudsman
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Judicial appointments
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Paragraph 4 of Schedule 4 shall have effect in relation to the appointment of—
members of the Inner House of the Court of Session; and
a Lord Ordinary of that Court to be the Lord Ordinary in exchequer causes.
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Solicitors’ and counsel’s fees
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.
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.
After section 61 of the 1980 Act there shall be inserted the following section—.
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Miscellaneous and supplementary
For subsection (2) of section 6 of the 1980 Act (admission of persons as solicitors) there shall be substituted the following subsection—.
Section 57 of that Act (admission of notaries public) shall be amended as follows—
for subsection (1) there shall be substituted—;
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.” ”;
after subsection (2) there shall be inserted the following subsections—;
in subsection (4) for the word “solicitor” there shall be substituted “ person” ”; and
for subsection (5) there shall be substituted—.
In section 58 of that Act (removal from and restoration to the register of names of notaries public)—
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” ”;
in subsection (2), for the words from “it” to “thereupon” there shall be substituted “ the Council shall forthwith” ”;
at the end of that section there shall be added the following subsections—.
After section 43 of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986 there shall be inserted the following section—.
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.
Before—the Secretary of State shall first send a copy of the proposed regulations, rules or provisions to the CMA
approving any rules—of this Act; or
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considering—
any provisions of a draft regulatory scheme under section 27 of the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025, or
any provision which is proposed as a revision to a regulatory scheme under section 33 of that Act,
The CMA shall consider whether any such ... 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.
When the CMA has completed its consideration it shall give such advice to the Secretary of State as it thinks fit.
The CMA may publish any advice given under subsection (3) above.
The CMA shall, so far as practicable, exclude from anything published under subsection (4) above any matter—
which relates to the affairs of a particular person; and
the publication of which would, or might in the CMA's opinion, seriously and prejudicially affect the interests of that person.
For the purposes of the law of defamation, the publication of any advice by the Director under this section shall be absolutely privileged.
For the purpose of investigating any matter under section 40 of this Act, the CMA may by notice in writing—
require any person to produce to the CMA or to any person appointed by the CMA for the purpose, at a time and place specified in the notice, any documents which are specified or described in the notice and which—
are in that person’s custody or under that person’s control; and
relate to any matter relevant to the investigation; or
require any person carrying on any business to furnish to the CMA (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.
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.
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The court may, on an application by the CMA, enquire into whether any person (“the defaulter”) has refused or otherwise failed, without reasonable excuse, to comply with a notice under section 41(1).
An application under subsection (1) shall include details of the possible failure which the CMA considers has occurred.
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.
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).
The court may punish the defaulter as it would have been able to punish him had he been guilty of contempt of court.
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.
In this section “the court” means the Court of Session.
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).
A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) shall be liable—
on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;
on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine or to both.
Where the Secretary of State has approved—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.
a rule under section ... 31(2) of this Act; or
a draft scheme under section 26(6) of this Act,
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—
in the case of a rule such as is mentioned in subsection (1)(a) above, to the Secretary of State; or
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.
Where a rule, whether revised or as previously approved, is submitted to the Secretary of State under subsection (2)(a) above, he may—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.
approve the rule as submitted to him; or
amend the rule in such manner as he considers appropriate,
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—
approve the scheme; and
(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.
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.
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.
After section 64 of the 1980 Act there shall be inserted the following sections—.
In this Part of this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—“advocate” means a member of the Faculty of Advocates practising as such;“the CMA” means the Competition and Markets Authority;“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 Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980.“the 2007 Act” means the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 5).
The Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976
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Miscellaneous Reforms
Evidence by children in criminal trials
Where a court has, or is deemed to have, granted an application made under section 56 of this Act in relation to a child . . ., and the child gives evidence that he recalls having identified, prior to the trial, a person alleged to have committed an offence, the evidence of a third party as to the identification of that person by the child prior to the trial shall be admissible as evidence as to such identification.
Sheriff court jurisdiction
The following subsection shall be inserted at the end of each of sections 3 and 288 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 to form subsection (4) and subsection (5) respectively of these sections—
Treatment of offenders
Sections 183 and 384 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (probation) shall be amended as follows—
at the beginning of subsection (1) of each section there shall be inserted “ Subject to subsection (1A) below, ”;
after subsection (1) of each section there shall be inserted the following subsection—; and
in subsection (4) of each section—
for the words “necessary for” there shall be substituted “ conducive to ”; and
for the word “for” in the second place where it occurs there shall be substituted “ to ”.
In subsection (1) of each of sections 186 and 387 of that Act (failure to comply with probation order)—
after the word “from” there shall be inserted “ (a) ”; and
after the word “probationer” where it first occurs there shall be inserted—.
In section 1(1) of the Community Service by Offenders (Scotland) Act 1978 (community service orders), for the words “dealing with him in any other way” there shall be substituted “ imposing on him a sentence of, or including, imprisonment or any other form of detention ”.
In section 27 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 (supervision and care of persons on probation or released from prison etc)—
at the end of subsection (1) there shall be added—; and
after paragraph (a) of subsection (3) there shall be inserted the following paragraph—.
In section 27A of that Act (grants in respect of community service facilities)—
at the beginning there shall be inserted “ (1) ”; and
for the words from “for the purposes” to the end there shall be substituted—.
In section 27B of that Act (grants in respect of hostel accommodation for certain persons)—
at the beginning there shall be inserted “ (1) ”; and
for the words from “sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii)” to the end there shall be substituted—.
In section 94(1) of that Act (interpretation), in paragraph (c) of the definition of “prescribed”, after the word “sections” there shall be inserted “ 27A, 27B, ”.
Drug trafficking confiscation orders
The following sections shall be substituted for section 30 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1987—
Matrimonial interdicts
In section 15 of the Matrimonial Homes (Family Protection) (Scotland) Act 1981 (powers of arrest attached to matrimonial interdicts)—
in subsection (2), after the words “such interdict” there shall be inserted “ together with the attached power of arrest ”; and
in subsection (4)—
after the word “interdict” in the second place where it occurs there shall be inserted “ together with the attached power of arrest ”; and
at the end there shall be added “ and, where the application to attach the power of arrest to the interdict was made after the interdict was granted, a copy of that application and of the interlocutor granting it and a certificate of service of the interdict together with the attached power of arrest ”.
Homelessness
Section 24 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 (definition of homelessness and persons threatened with homelessness) shall be amended as follows.
After subsection (2) there shall be inserted the following subsections—
In subsection (3), after paragraph (b) there shall be inserted—.
Arbitration
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Judicial factors
After section 34 (discharge of factors, tutors and curators) of the Judicial Factors Act 1849 there shall be inserted the following section—.
Avoidance of civil liability by non-contractual notice
The Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 shall be amended in accordance with this section.
In section 15(1) (scope of Part II), the words “applies only to contracts,” shall cease to have effect.
In section 16 (liability for breach of duty)—
in subsection (1)—
at the beginning there shall be inserted the words “ Subject to subsection (1A) below, ”;
after the word “contract” in the first place where it occurs there shall be inserted “ , or a provision of a notice given to persons generally or to particular persons, ”;
after the word “term” in the second place where it occurs there shall be inserted “ or provision ”; and
at the end of paragraph (b) there shall be inserted the words “ or, as the case may be, if it is not fair and reasonable to allow reliance on the provision ”;
after subsection (1) there shall be inserted the following subsection—; and
in subsection (3)—
after the word “contract” there shall be inserted “ or a provision of a notice ”; and
after the word “term” in the second place where it occurs there shall be inserted “ or provision ”.
In section 24 (the “reasonableness” test)—
after subsection (2) there shall be inserted the following subsection—;
in subsection (3)—
after the word “contract” in the first place where it occurs there shall be inserted “ or a provision of a notice ”;
after the word “contract” in the second place where it occurs there shall be inserted “ or whether it is fair and reasonable to allow reliance on the provision ”;
after the word “above” there shall be inserted “ in the case of a term in a contract ”; and
in paragraph (a), after the word “term” there shall be inserted “ or provision ”; and
in subsection (4), after the word “contract” there shall be inserted “ or that it is fair and reasonable to allow reliance on a provision of a notice ”.
In section 25 (interpretation of Part II)—“ “notice” includes an announcement, whether or not in writing, and any other communication or pretended communication;”; and
in subsection (1), after the definition of “hire-purchase agreement” there shall be inserted—
subsections (3)(d) and (4) shall cease to have effect.
This section shall have effect only in relation to liability for any loss or damage which is suffered on or after the date appointed for its coming into force.
Liability in respect of services to injured persons
For subsection (2) of section 8 of the Administration of Justice Act 1982 (services rendered to injured person) there shall be substituted the following subsections—
Without prejudice to Parts II and III of the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, this section shall apply to rights accruing both before and after the date appointed for its coming into force, but shall not affect any proceedings commenced before that date.
Blood and other samples in civil proceedings
In any civil proceedings to which this section applies, the court may (whether or not on application made to it) request a party to the proceedings—
to provide a sample of blood or other body fluid or of body tissue for the purpose of laboratory analysis;
to consent to the taking of such a sample from a child in relation to whom the party has power to give such consent.
Where a party to whom a request under subsection (1) above has been made refuses or fails—the court may draw from the refusal or failure such adverse inference, if any, in relation to the subject matter of the proceedings as seems to it to be appropriate.
to provide or, as the case may be, to consent to the taking of, a sample as requested by the court, or
to take any step necessary for the provision or taking of such a sample,
In section 6 of the Law Reform (Parent and Child) (Scotland) Act 1986 (determination of parentage by blood sample)—
in subsection (1), for the words “blood sample” there shall be substituted “ sample of blood or other body fluid or of body tissue ”; and
in each of subsections (2), (3) and (4), for the words “a blood” there shall be substituted “ such a ”.
This section applies to any civil proceedings brought in the Court of Session or the sheriff court—
on or after the date of the commencement of this section; or
before the said date in a case where the proof has not by that date begun.
Powers of attorney
Execution of documents by companies
General
There shall be paid out of money provided by Parliament—
the expenses of the Lord Advocate in carrying out his functions under Part I of this Act;
the remuneration of temporary judges appointed under section 35(3) of this Act;
any grant paid by the Secretary of State to the Scottish Conveyancing and Executry Services Board under section 16 of this Act; and
any increase attributable to the provisions of this Act in the sums payable under any other Act out of money provided by Parliament.
Sums repaid to the Secretary of State under section 16(3) of this Act shall be paid by him into the Consolidated Fund.
The enactments mentioned in Schedule 8 to this Act shall have effect subject to the amendments specified in that Schedule.
The enactments mentioned in Schedule 9 to this Act are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule.
This Act may be cited as the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990.
Subject to subsections (3) and (4) below, this Act shall come into force on such day as the Secretary of State may appoint by order made by statutory instrument and different days may be appointed for different provisions and for different purposes.
The provisions of—shall come into force at the end of the period of two months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed.
Paragraph 27(3) of Schedule 8 to this Act shall come into force on the day on which this Act is passed.
Subject to subsections (6) and (7) below, this Act extends to Scotland only.
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Scottish Conveyancing and Executry Services Board
Constitution, Duties, Powers and Status
Constitution
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Remuneration
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Staff
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Proceedings
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Performance of functions
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Accounts
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Annual report
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Appeals
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Compensation
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Parliamentary disqualification
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Powers of Investigation
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Publication of applications made under section 25
Any professional or other body making an application under section 25 of this Act shall, for a period of six weeks beginning with the date on which the application is submitted to the Lord President and the Secretary of State—
make a copy of the draft scheme referred to in section 25(2) of this Act available for public inspection at a specified place; and
on a request from any person—
send him a copy of the draft scheme; or
make a copy of the draft scheme available for public inspection at a suitable place in his locality.
Any person may make written representations concerning any draft scheme submitted under section 25 of this Act, and such representations shall—
be made to both the Lord President and the Secretary of State; and
be delivered to both the Lord President and the Secretary of State before the expiry of the period of six weeks beginning with the date on which the application is made.
At the same time as an application under section 25 is submitted to the Lord President and the Secretary of State, the body making the application shall place an advertisement mentioning the matters referred to in paragraph 4 below in the Edinburgh Gazette and in a daily newspaper circulating throughout Scotland.
An advertisement such as referred to in paragraph 3 above shall state that—
a copy of the draft scheme referred to in section 25(2) of this Act will be available for public inspection at a specified place for a period of six weeks beginning with the date on which the advertisement appears;
a copy of the draft scheme will be—
sent, free of charge, to any person on request; or
made available for public inspection at a suitable place in that person’s locality;
any person may make written representations concerning the draft scheme to the Lord President and the Secretary of State; and
any such representations are to be delivered within the period of six weeks beginning with the date on which the application is made.
Scottish Legal Services Ombudsman
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Judicial Appointments
Appointments of sheriffs principal, sheriffs and solicitors as judges of the Court of Session
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Further provision as to Inner House and exchequer causes
The Court of Session Act 1988 shall be amended as follows.
In section 2 (composition of court)—
in subsection (3), for the words “the senior judge present shall preside and shall” there shall be substituted the words “ shall direct one of those judges to preside and to ”; and
for subsection (6) there shall be substituted the following subsection—.
In section 3 (exchequer causes), for the words “Court by Act of Sederunt” there shall be substituted the words “ Lord President ”.
Temporary judges
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Amendments to the Small Landholders (Scotland) Act 1911 (c.49)
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Applications for Children’s Certificates
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A court shall not make a supervised attendance order in respect of any offender unless—
the court has been notified by the Secretary of State that arrangements exist for persons of a class which includes the offender who reside in the locality in which the offender resides, or will be residing when the order comes into force, to carry out the requirements of such an order;
the court is satisfied that provision can be made under the arrangements mentioned in paragraph (a) above for the offender to carry out such requirements.
Before making a supervised attendance order, the court shall explain to the offender in ordinary language—
the purpose and effect of the order and in particular the obligations on the offender as specified in paragraph 3 below;
the consequences which may follow under paragraph 4 below if he fails to comply with any of those requirements; and
that the court has, under paragraph 5 below, the power to review the order on the application either of the offender or of an officer of the local authority in whose area the offender for the time being resides.
The Secretary of State may by order direct that subsection (2) of section 6 of this Act shall be amended by substituting, for any number of hours specified in that subsection such other number of hours as may be specified in the order; and an order under this subsection may in making such amendment specify different such numbers of hours for different classes of case.
An order under paragraph (3) above shall be made by statutory instrument, but no such order shall be made unless a draft of it has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.
A supervised attendance order shall—
specify the locality in which the offender resides or will be residing when the order comes into force; and
require the local authority in whose area the locality specified under paragraph (a) above is situated to appoint or assign a supervising officer.
Where, whether on the same occasion or on separate occasions, an offender is made subject to more than one supervised attendance order, the court may direct that the requirements specified in any of those orders shall be concurrent with or additional to those specified in any other of those orders, but so that at no time shall the offender have an outstanding number of hours during which he must carry out the requirements of these orders in excess of the largest number specified in section 62 of this Act.
Upon making a supervised attendance order the court shall—
give , or send by registered post or by the recorded delivery service, a copy of the order to the offender;
send a copy of the order to the director of social work of the local authority in whose area the offender resides or will be residing when the order comes into force; and
where it is not the appropriate court, send a copy of the order (together with such documents and information relating to the case as are considered useful) to the clerk of the appropriate court.
Where a copy of a supervised attendance order has, under sub-paragraph (3)(a) above, been sent by registered post or by the recorded delivery service, an acknowledgement or certificate of delivery of a letter containing the copy order issued by the Post Office shall be sufficient evidence of the delivery of the letter on the day specified in such acknowledgement or certificate.
An offender in respect of whom a supervised attendance order is in force shall report to the supervising officer and notify him without delay of any change of address or in the times, if any, at which he usually works.
Subject to paragraph 5(1) below, instructions given under a supervised attendance order shall be carried out during the period of twelve months beginning with the date of the order; but, unless revoked, the order shall remain in force until the offender has carried out the instructions given under it for the number of hours specified in it.
The instructions given by the supervising officer under the order shall, so far as practicable, be such as to avoid any conflict with the offender’s religious beliefs and any interference with the times, if any, at which he normally works or attends a school or other educational establishment.
If at any time while a supervised attendance order is in force in respect of any offender it appears to the appropriate court, on information from the supervising officer, that that offender has failed to comply with any of the requirements of paragraph 3 above or of the order (including any failure satisfactorily to carry out any instructions which he has been given by the supervising officer under the order), the court may issue a warrant for the arrest of that offender, or may, if it thinks fit, instead of issuing a warrant in the first instance issue a citation requiring the offender to appear before that court at such time as may be specified in the citation.
If it is proved to the satisfaction of the court before which an offender is brought or appears in pursuance of sub-paragraph (1) above that he has failed without reasonable excuse to comply with any of the requirements of paragraph 3 above or of the order (including any failure satisfactorily to carry out any instructions which he has been given by the supervising officer under the order), the court may—
revoke the order and impose such period of imprisonment not exceeding—as the court considers appropriate; or
in the case of a sheriff court, three months; and
in the case of a district court, 60 days,
subject to section 62 of this Act and paragraph 2(2) above, vary the number of hours specified in the order.
The evidence of one witness shall, for the purposes of sub-paragraph (2) above, be sufficient evidence.
Where a supervised attendance order is in force in respect of any offender and, on the application of that offender or of the supervising officer, it appears to the appropriate court that it would be in the interests of justice to do so having regard to circumstances which have arisen since the order was made, that court may—
extend, in relation to the order, the period of twelve months specified in paragraph 3 above;
subject to section 62 of this Act and paragraph 2(2) above, vary the number of hours specified in the order;
revoke the order; or
revoke the order and impose such period of imprisonment not exceeding—as the court considers appropriate;
in the case of a sheriff court, three months; and
in the case of a district court, 60 days,
If the appropriate court is satisfied that the offender proposes to change, or has changed, his residence from the locality for the time being specified under paragraph 2(1)(a) above to another locality and—that court may, and on application of the supervising officer shall, amend the order by substituting that other locality for the locality for the time being specified in the order; and the provisions of section 62 of this Act and of this Schedule shall apply to the order as amended.
that court has been notified by the Secretary of State that arrangements exist for persons who reside in that other locality to carry out instructions under supervised attendance orders; and
it appears to that court that provision can be made under those arrangements for him to carry out instructions under the order;
Where the court proposes to exercise its powers under sub-paragraph (1)(a), (b) or (d) above otherwise than on the application of the offender, it shall issue a citation requiring him to appear before the court and, if he fails to appear, may issue a warrant for his arrest.
The Secretary of State may make rules for regulating the carrying out of the requirements of supervised attendance orders.
Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) above, rules under this section may—
limit the number of hours during which the requirements of an order are to be met on any one day;
make provision as to the reckoning of time for the purposes of the carrying out of these requirements;
make provision for the payment of travelling and other expenses in connection with the carrying out of these requirements;
provide for records to be kept of what has been done by any person carrying out these requirements.
Rules under this paragraph shall be made by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
The Secretary of State shall lay before Parliament each year, or incorporate in annual reports he already makes, a report of the operation of section 62 of this Act and this Schedule.
In section 27 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 (supervision of persons put on probation, released from prison or subject to community service orders)—
in subsection (1)(b) there shall be inserted at the end the following;
for the words “probation and community service scheme”, wherever they occur, there shall be substituted the words “probation, community service and supervised attendance scheme”.
In this Schedule—“the appropriate court”, in relation to a supervised attendance order, means the court having jurisdiction in the locality for the time being specified in the order under paragraph 2(1)(a) above, being a sheriff or district court according to whether the order has been made by a sheriff or a district court, but in a case where the order has been made by a district court and there is no district court in that locality, the sheriff court;“local authority” and “supervising officer” have the same meanings respectively as in section 62 of this Act.
Except where the context otherwise requires, expressions used in this Schedule and in the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 have the same meanings in this Schedule as in that Act.
UNCITRAL
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Amendment of Enactments
Amendments to the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976
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Miscellaneous
The Probate and Legacy Duties Act 1808 (c. 149)
In section 38 of the Probate and Legacy Duties Act 1808 (executors to exhibit inventories of estate)—
for the words “oath or solemn affirmation” in both places where they occur there shall be substituted “ declaration ”; and
the words from “(which oath” to “administer)” shall cease to have effect.
The Confirmation of Executors (Scotland) Act 1823 (c. 98)
In section 3 of the Confirmation of Executors (Scotland) Act 1823 (which requires applications for confirmation to relate to the whole known moveable estate), for the word “oath” in both places where it occurs there shall be substituted “ declaration ”.
In section 4 of that Act (confirmation by executor’s creditor), for the word “oath” there shall be substituted “ declaration ”.
The Judicial Factors Act 1849 (c. 51)
In section 5 (factor to lodge monies in one of the banks of Scotland) of the Judicial Factors Act 1849—
in subsection (1), for the words “banks in Scotland established by Act of Parliament or royal charter” there shall be substituted the words—; and
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In section 33 (power of accountant to require information) of that Act, for the word “bank”—
in the first place where it occurs, there shall be substituted the words “ institution such as is mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c) of section 5(1) of this Act ”; and
in the second and third places where it occurs, there shall be inserted the word “ institution ”.
In section 37 (accumulation of principal and interest on accounts and deposits) of that Act—
for the words “bank in Scotland” there shall be substituted the words “ institution such as is mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c) of section 5(1) of this Act ”; and
for the words “any bank” there shall be substituted the words “ any such institution ”.
The Confirmation of Executors (Scotland) Act 1858 (c. 56)
In section 2 of the Confirmation of Executors (Scotland) Act 1858 (petition for confirmation to be subscribed by petitioner or his agent), at the end there shall be added “ or by an executry practitioner or a recognised financial institution providing executry services within the meaning of section 23 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990 ”.
In Schedules D and E to that Act (forms of confirmation), for the word “oath” there shall be substituted “ declaration ”.
The Promissory Oaths Act 1868 (c. 72)
In the second part of the Schedule to the Promissory Oaths Act 1868 (officers required to take oath of allegiance and judicial oath), after the words “Judges of the Court of Session in Scotland” there shall be inserted the words “ , temporary judges of the Court of Session and High Court of Justiciary appointed under section 35(3) of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990, ”.
The Intestates Widows and Children (Scotland) Act 1875 (c. 41)
In section 3 of the Intestates Widows and Children (Scotland) Act 1875 (commissary clerk to prepare inventory etc for widow or children where deceased’s estate small)—
for the word “oath” in the first place where it occurs there shall be substituted “ declaration ”; and
for the words “shall take the oath of the applicant thereto” there shall be substituted “ on the inventory and declaration being signed by the applicant ”.
In Schedule A to that Act (form of inventory etc)—
for the word “oath” in both places where it occurs there shall be substituted “ declaration ”;
for the words from “in presence of” to “depones” there shall be substituted “ [name and address of applicant] (hereinafter referred to “the applicant”) hereby declares ”;
for the words “deponent” wherever it occurs and “deponent’s” there shall be substituted respectively “ applicant ” and “ applicant’s ”; and
the words from “All which” to the end shall cease to have effect.
In Schedule B to that Act (form of confirmation)—
for the word “oath” in both places where it occurs there shall be substituted “ declaration ”; and
for the word “deponed” there shall be substituted “ declared ”.
The Small Testate Estates (Scotland) Act 1876 (c. 24)
In section 3 of the Small Testate Estates (Scotland) Act 1876 (simplified procedure for confirmation to small estates)—
for the word “oath” there shall be substituted “ declaration ”; and
for the words “being duly sworn to” there shall be substituted “ and declaration being duly signed ”.
In Schedule A to that Act (form of inventory etc)—
for the word “oath” in both places where it occurs there shall be substituted “ declaration ”;
for the words from “In presence of” to “depones” there shall be substituted “ [name and address of applicant] (hereinafter referred to “the applicant”) hereby declares ”;
for the word “deponent” wherever it occurs there shall be substituted “ applicant ”; and
the words from “All which” to the end shall cease to have effect.
In Schedule B to that Act (form of confirmation), for the word “oath” there shall be substituted “ declaration ”.
The Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971 (c.58)
For subsection (1) of section 33 (Sheriff Court Rules Council) of the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971 there shall be substituted the following subsection—
In subsection (3) of that section, for the words “consultation with such persons as may appear to him appropriate” there shall be substituted the words “ such consultation as is mentioned in paragraph (a) or, as the case may be, (b) of subsection (1) above ”.
The Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21)
The Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 shall be amended as follows.
After section 282 there shall be inserted the following sections—.
In subsection (1)(b) of section 407 (imprisonment for non-payment of fine), at the end there shall be inserted “ either with immediate effect or to take effect in the event of the person failing to pay the fine or any part or instalment of it by such further time as the court may order ”.
The Community Service by Offenders (Scotland) Act 1978 (c. 49)
In section 4 of the Community Service by Offenders (Scotland) Act 1978 (which, amongst other things, gives the court powers to deal with failure to comply with community service orders) there shall be added at the end the following subsection—.
The Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980 (c. 46)
The Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980 shall be amended as follows.
In section 9 (removal of name from roll on request)—
after the words “his name” there shall be inserted the words “ , or any annotation made against his name under section 25A(3), ”; and
after the words “that solicitor” there shall be inserted the words “ or, as the case may be, the annotation against his name, ”.
In section 10 (restoration of name to roll on request), in subsection (1A)—
after the words “whose name” there shall be inserted the words “ , or any annotation against whose name, ”; and
after the words “that solicitor” there shall be inserted the words “ or, as the case may be, the annotation, ”.
In section 20 (duty of Council to supply lists)—
in subsection (1), after paragraph (a) there shall be inserted the following paragraph—; and
for subsection (2) there shall be substituted the following subsection—.
In section 26 of the 1980 Act (offence for solicitors to act as agents for unqualified persons)—
in subsection (1)(c), at the beginning there shall be inserted “ subject to subsection (4), ”;
in subsection (1)(d), at the beginning there shall be inserted “ subject to subsection (4), ”;
in subsection (2), at the end there shall be inserted “ or employed by a law centre. ”; and
after subsection (3) there shall be inserted—
In section 32 (which makes it an offence for unqualified persons to prepare writs and papers relating to certain matters)—
in subsection (2)(a), after the words “fee, gain or reward” there shall be inserted the words “ (other than by way of remuneration paid under a contract of employment) ”; and
after subsection (2) there shall be inserted the following subsections—.
At the end of section 33 (unqualified person not entitled to fees etc.) there shall be inserted the words “ or in relation to writs framed or drawn by a person who is, by virtue of an act of sederunt made under section 32 of the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971, permitted to represent a party to a summary cause. ”
In section 42A (powers of Council where inadequate professional services alleged), at the end of subsection (2) there shall be inserted the following paragraph—
In section 51(3) (complaints to Scottish Solicitors Discipline Tribunal)—
after paragraph (b) there shall be inserted—; and
for paragraph (f) there shall be substituted—.
In section 53 (powers of Tribunal)—
after subsection (2)(b) there shall be inserted the following paragraph—;
in subsection (2)(c), for the words “£4,000” there shall be substituted the words “ £10,000 ”;
after subsection (3A) there shall be inserted the following subsection—; and
in subsection (6), after the words “as a solicitor” there shall be inserted the words “ or that any right of audience held by the solicitor by virtue of section 25A be suspended or revoked ”.
In section 53A (inadequate professional services: powers of Tribunal),
after subsection (2)(b) there shall be inserted the following paragraph—; and
after subsection (2)(c) there shall be inserted the following paragraph—
In section 55 (powers of court)—
after subsection (1)(b) there shall be inserted the following paragraphs—; and
after subsection (3) there shall be inserted the following subsection—.
After section 56 there shall be inserted the following section—
In section 63 (penalties and time limit for prosecution of offences)—
in subsection (1)—
for the words “level 3” there shall be substituted the words “ level 4 ”; and
the words from “and to imprisonment” to the end shall cease to have effect; and
after subsection (2) there shall be inserted the following subsections—.
In subsection (1) of section 65 (interpretation)—
after the definition of “the court” there shall be inserted—;
after the definition of “judge” there shall be inserted—;
after the definition of “Lord President” there shall be inserted—
after the definition of “property” there shall be inserted—
after the definition of “the Society” there shall be inserted—...
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In Schedule 1 (The Law Society of Scotland), after paragraph 11 there shall be inserted—
In Schedule 4 (constitution, procedure and powers of Tribunal)—
in paragraph 1—
in sub-paragraph (a), at the end there shall be inserted the words “ appointed by the Lord President; ”
in sub-paragraph (b), for the word “4” there shall be substituted the word “ 8 ”;
at the end of sub-paragraph (b) there shall be inserted the words “ appointed by the Lord President after consultation with the Secretary of State. ”; and
the words “appointed by the Lord President”, where they appear at the end of that paragraph, shall cease to have effect;
in paragraph 2—
after the words “Lord President” there shall be inserted the words “ after consultation with the Secretary of State ”; and
for the words “so re-appointed” there shall be substituted the words “ re-appointed by the Lord President ”;
in paragraph 3, after the words “as the case may be,” there shall be inserted the words “ after consultation with the Secretary of State, ”;
in paragraph 14, for the words from “may be published” to the end there shall be substituted the words “ shall, subject to paragraph 14A, be published in full ”;
after paragraph 14 there shall be inserted the following paragraph—;
in paragraph 17—
the words from “also” to “before the order” shall cease to have effect;
after the words “and shall” there shall be inserted the words “ , without prejudice to paragraph 14, ”; and
the words from “and in such other manner” to the end shall cease to have effect; and
after paragraph 18 there shall be inserted the following paragraph—.
The Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1980 (c. 62)
For section 76 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1980 (presumption as to the contents of containers) there shall be substituted the following section—
Nothing in this paragraph shall apply to the prosecution of any person for an offence committed before the commencement of this paragraph.
The Matrimonial Homes (Family Protection) (Scotland) Act 1981 (c. 59)
In section 6(3)(e) of the Matrimonial Homes (Family Protection) (Scotland) Act 1981 (occupancy rights after dealing with third parties)—
the words “, at or before the time of the dealing,” shall cease to have effect; and
in sub-paragraph (i)—
after the word “not” there shall be inserted “ or were not at the time of the dealing ”; and
after the word “has” there shall be inserted “ or had ”.
In section 8 of that Act (interests of heritable creditors)—
in subsection (2), the words “before the granting of the loan” shall cease to have effect; and
in subsection (2A)—
the words “at or before the granting of the security” shall cease to have effect;
after the word “not” in paragraph (a) there shall be inserted “ or were not at the time of the granting of the security ”; and
after the word “has” in paragraph (a) there shall be inserted “ or had ”.
The Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2)
Section 42(3)(b) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (nomination paper in local election to contain statement of acceptance of office) shall cease to have effect.
The Companies Act 1985 (c. 6)
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The Family Law (Scotland) Act 1985 (c.37)
In section 8(1) of the Family Law (Scotland) Act 1985 (orders for financial provision on divorce etc)—
in paragraph (a), the words “or the transfer of property” shall cease to have effect; and
at the end of paragraph (a) there shall be inserted the following paragraph—.
The Insolvency Act 1986 (c. 45)
Section 53(3) of the Insolvency Act 1986 (execution of instrument appointing receiver) shall cease to have effect.
The Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986 (c. 47)
In subsection (3) of section 4 (Scottish Legal Aid Fund) of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986—
paragraph (a) shall cease to have effect; and
in paragraph (c), after the word “property” there shall be inserted “ (including money) ”.
In subsection (1) of section 6 (definitions) of that Act, for the words “if and so far as may be necessary”, in both places where they occur, there shall be substituted the words “ where appropriate ”.
In subsection (2) of section 13 (meaning of “civil legal aid”) of that Act, for the words “(so far as is necessary)” there shall be substituted the words “ , where appropriate, ”.
In subsection (3) of section 14 (availability of civil legal aid) of that Act, at the beginning there shall be inserted the words “ Subject to subsections (4) to (6) below, ”.
After the said subsection (3) there shall be inserted the following subsections—
After subsection (2) of section 17 (contributions and payments out of property received) of that Act, there shall be inserted the following subsections—.
Subsections (3) to (5) of that section shall cease to have effect.
In subsection (6) of that section, for the words “subsection (5)” there shall be substituted the words “ subsection (2A) or (2B) ”.
In subsection (8) of that section, for the words from “subsection” to the end there shall be substituted the words “ subsection (1) above and in section 33 of this Act to “fees and outlays” include references to sums which would have been payable to that solicitor if he had been so employed. ”
In subsection (4) of section 21 (scope and nature of criminal legal aid) of that Act, for the words “(so far as is necessary)” there shall be substituted the words “ , where appropriate, ”.
In subsection (8) of section 29 (legal aid in certain proceedings relating to children) of that Act, for the words “(so far as is necessary)” there shall be substituted the words “ , where appropriate, ”.
In subsection (4) of section 30 (legal aid in contempt proceedings) of that Act, for the words “(so far as is necessary)” there shall be substituted the words “ , where appropriate, ”.
In subsection (1) of section 31 (solicitors and counsel) of that Act, for the words “his counsel” there shall be substituted the words “ or a solicitor holding rights of audience by virtue of section 25A (rights of audience) of the Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980, his counsel or such a solicitor ”.
In subsection (9)(b) of the said section 31, at the beginning there shall be inserted “ Subject to subsection (11) below, ”.
At the end of the said section 31 there shall be inserted the following subsection—.
In subsection (3) of section 33 (fees and outlays of counsel and solicitors) of that Act—shall cease to have effect.
in paragraph (c) the words “and taxation” and “or taxation”; and
in paragraph (d) the word “, taxation”,
The Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1987 (c. 41)
In section 6(1) of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1987 (definition of implicative gifts), for the words “mentioned in section 5(2) of this Act” there shall be substituted “ on which, in respect of a person suspected of, or charged with, an offence to which section 1 of this Act relates, the warrant to arrest and commit was granted, or a restraint order was made (whichever first occurs). ”
The Court of Session Act 1988 (c. 36)
For section 48 (limited right of audience of solicitor before the court) of the Court of Session Act 1988 there shall be substituted the following sections—.
The Antarctic Minerals Act 1989 (c. 21)
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Repeals