Explanatory Notes

Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2010

2010 asp 16

9 November 2010

Commentary on Sections

Part 4 – the Legal Profession

Chapter 3 – Solicitors and Other Representatives
Removal of practising restrictions
Section 125 – Citizens advice bodies

257.Section 125 amends section 26 of the 1980 Act so that it is not an offence for solicitors to be employed by citizens advice bodies to give legal advice to third parties. This is similar to the exemption given to law centres in the same section of that Act. A “citizens advice body” is defined in section 65(1) of the 1980 Act as a non-profit making body that has the sole or primary objective of providing legal and other advice (including information) to the public without charge. There is also provision of a power for the Scottish Ministers to modify the definition of “citizens advice body” by regulations after consulting with the Lord President, the OFT, and other appropriate organisations.