5.—(1) In order to facilitate the application of the Directive and to prevent its provisions from being misapplied, a professional body may supply to or receive from–
(a)another professional body;
(b)the England and Wales or Northern Ireland solicitors' professional bodies or barristers' professional bodies; or
(c)an authority in any of the States listed in regulation 2(4) which has been designated by that State under the Directive as a competent authority in that State,
any information relating to a European lawyer or to any person with whom he jointly practises.
(2) Subject to paragraph (1) or as otherwise required by law in the interests of justice, a professional body shall preserve the confidentiality of any information received in accordance with paragraph (1) relating to a European lawyer or to any person with whom he jointly practises.
(3) A competent authority in Scotland shall provide a certificate attesting to the registration of a solicitor or advocate registered with it and his authorisation to practise when requested to do so by that solicitor or advocate or by a competent authority in a State listed in regulation 2(4).