Solicitors Act 1974

16 Duration of suspension of practising certificates

(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, the suspension of a practising certificate shall continue until the certificate expires.

(2) The suspension of a practising certificate by virtue of section 15(1) by reason of an adjudication in bankruptcy shall terminate if the adjudication is annulled and an office copy of the order annulling the adjudication is served on the Society.

(3) Where a solicitor's practising certificate is suspended—

(a) by an order under section 13(4); or

(b) by virtue of section 15(1) by reason of his adjudication in bankruptcy; or

(c) by virtue of section 15(1) by reason of his suspension from practice and the period of his suspension from practice expires before the date of expiry of the certificate,

the solicitor may at any time before the certificate expires (and, in the case of adjudication in bankruptcy, while the adjudication remains unannulled) apply to the Society to terminate the suspension.

(4) On an application under subsection (3), the Society may in its discretion—

(a) by order terminate the suspension either unconditionally or subject to such conditions as the Society may think fit; or

(b) refuse the application.

(5) If on an application by a solicitor under subsection (3) the Society refuses the application or terminates the suspension subject to conditions, the solicitor may appeal against the decision of the Society to the Master of the Rolls, who may—

(a) affirm the decision; or

(b) terminate the suspension either unconditionally or subject to such conditions as he may think fit.