Solicitors Act 1974

Practice rules E+W

31 Rules as to professional practice, conduct and discipline. E+W

(1) Without prejudice to any other provision of this Part the [F1 Society may] make rules F2 . . . for regulating in respect of any matter the professional practice, conduct [F3 , fitness to practise] and discipline of solicitors [F4 and for empowering the Society to take such action as may be appropriate to enable the Society to ascertain whether or not the provisions of rules made, or of any code or guidance issued, by the [F5 Society] are being [F6 , or have been,] complied with.]

[F7 (1A) The powers conferred on the Society by subsection (1) include power to make, in relation to solicitors, provision of a kind which the Society would be prohibited from making but for section 157(5)(c) of the Legal Services Act 2007 (exception from prohibition on approved regulators making provision for redress).]

[F8 (1B) Rules under this section must provide that a solicitor may not practise as a sole solicitor unless there is in force in relation to that solicitor’s practice a recognition under section 9 of the Administration of Justice Act 1985.

(1C) Rules under this section may provide that, for the purposes of the rules, this Act and the Administration of Justice Act 1985, a solicitor is not to be regarded as practising as a sole solicitor in such circumstances as may be prescribed by the rules.]

(2) If any solicitor fails to comply with rules made under this section, any person may make a complaint in respect of that failure to the Tribunal.

(3) F9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) F9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 31(1) substituted (7.3.2008) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 177, 211, Sch. 16 para. 31(2)(a) (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2008/222, art. 2(j)(i)

F2 Words in s. 31(1) repealed (1.1.2010) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 177, 210, 211, Sch. 16 para. 31(2)(b), Sch. 23 (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/3250, art. 2(f)(ii)(i)(ii)(gg) (with art. 9)

F3 Words in s. 31(1) inserted (31.3.2009) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 177, 211, Sch. 16 para. 31(2)(c) (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/503, art. 2(b)(i)

F4 Words in s. 31(1) inserted (27.9.1999) by 1999 c. 22, s. 48, Sch. 7 para. 1 (with Sch. 14 para. 7(2)); S.I. 1999/2657, art. 2(a)

F5 Word in s. 31(1) substituted (7.3.2008) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 177, 211, Sch. 16 para. 31(2)(d) (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2008/222, art. 2(j)(i)

F6 Words in s. 31(1) inserted (31.3.2009) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 177, 211, Sch. 16 para. 31(2)(e) (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/503, art. 2(b)(i)

F7 S. 31(1A) inserted (1.1.2010) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 177, 211, Sch. 16 para. 31(3) (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/3250, art. 2(f)(ii) (with art. 9)

F8 S. 31(1B)(1C) inserted (6.4.2015 for specified purposes, 1.11.2015 in so far as not already in force) by The Legal Services Act 2007 (The Law Society) (Modification of Functions) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/401), art. 1(3), Sch. 1 para. 12

F9 S. 31(3)(4) repealed (1.1.2010) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 177, 210, 211, Sch. 16 para. 31(4), Sch. 23 (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/3250, art. 2(f)(ii)(i)(ii)(gg) (with art. 9)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 31 extended (14.10.1991) by Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (c. 41, SIF 76:1), s. 89(3)(a)(i)(4); S.I. 1991/1883, art.3, Sch.

S. 31 extended (22.5.2000) by S.I. 2000/1119, regs. 1, 37(3), Sch. 4 para. 1(3) (as amended (1.7.2009) by The Legal Services Act 2007 (Registered European Lawyers) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1587), art. 3(4))

C2 S. 31(2) extended (with modifications) (1.7.2009) by S.I. 2000/1119, Sch. 4 para. 7(2) Table (as amended by The Legal Services Act 2007 (Registered European Lawyers) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1587), art. 3(7)(c))