Search Legislation

Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2010

Status:

This is the original version (as it was originally enacted).

Licensing rules

14Licensing rules: general
Explanatory NotesShow EN

(1)For the purposes of this Part, the licensing rules are rules about—

(a)the procedure for becoming a licensed provider, including (in particular)—

(i)the making of applications,

(ii)the criteria to be met by applicants,

(iii)the determination of applications,

(iv)the issuing of licences,

(b)the terms of licences and attaching to licences of conditions or restrictions,

(c)the—

(i)renewal of licences,

(ii)circumstances in which licences may be revoked or suspended,

(d)licensing provision affecting non-solicitor investors in licensed providers,

(e)licensing fees that are chargeable by the approved regulator.

(2)Rules made in pursuance of subsection (1)(a) to (c) must allow for review by the approved regulator of any decision made by it under the rules that materially affects an applicant for a licence or (as the case may be) a licensed provider.

(3)Licensing rules may include such further licensing arrangements as to licensed providers for which provision is (in the approved regulator’s opinion) necessary or expedient.

(4)See also sections 55(6)(b), 57(4), 62(2), 63(3) and 67(2)(b) and paragraph 4(2) of schedule 8 (as well as sections 15 and 16).

15Initial considerations
Explanatory NotesShow EN

(1)Licensing rules must provide for—

(a)consultation with the OFT, where appropriate in accordance with subsection (2), in relation to a licence application,

(b)how the approved regulator is to deal with a licence application where it believes that granting it would cause (directly or indirectly) a material and adverse effect on the provision of legal services.

(2)For the purpose of subsection (1)(a), it is appropriate to consult the OFT where the approved regulator believes that the granting of the licence application may have the effect of—

(a)preventing competition within the legal services market, or

(b)significantly restricting or distorting such competition.

16Other licensing rules
Explanatory NotesShow EN

(1)Licensing rules may allow for—

(a)an applicant to be issued with a provisional licence—

(i)in anticipation of its becoming (or becoming eligible to be) a licensed provider, and

(ii)whose full effect as a licence is conditional on its becoming a licensed provider (and such other relevant matters as the rules may specify), or

(b)a licensed provider to be issued with a provisional licence—

(i)in anticipation of its transferring to the regulation of the approved regulator, and

(ii)whose full effect as a licence is conditional on the transfer occurring (and such other relevant matters as the rules may specify).

(2)Licensing rules must—

(a)state that a licence application may be refused on the ground that the applicant appears to be incapable (for any reason) of complying with the regulatory scheme,

(b)provide for grounds for non-renewal, revocation or suspension of a licence where the licensed provider is breaching (or has breached) the regulatory scheme.

17Licensing appeals
Explanatory NotesShow EN

(1)An applicant for a licence or (as the case may be) a licensed provider may appeal against a relevant licensing decision taken by virtue of this Part—

(a)to the sheriff,

(b)within the period of 3 months beginning with the date on which that decision is intimated to it.

(2)A relevant licensing decision is a decision to—

(a)refuse the licensed provider’s application for—

(i)a licence, or

(ii)renewal of its licence,

(b)attach conditions or restrictions to its licence, or

(c)revoke or suspend its licence.

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

You have chosen to open The Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act as a PDF

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open the Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Show Explanatory Notes for Sections: Displays relevant parts of the explanatory notes interweaved within the legislation content.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

Explanatory Notes

Text created by the Scottish Government to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes were introduced in 1999 and accompany all Acts of the Scottish Parliament except those which result from Budget Bills.

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources