Legal Complaints and Regulation Act (Northern Ireland) 2016

Duty of certain bodies to consult Commissioner

3.—(1) Where any body listed in subsection (2) has power to make any rules or regulations (however they may be described) which apply to or in relation to barristers, other than those made for the purposes of any functions that that body has to represent or promote the interests of barristers, that body must consult the Commissioner before making those rules or, as the case may be, those regulations.

(2) The bodies referred to in subsection (1) are—

(a) the Benchers of the Honorable Society of the Inn of Court of Northern Ireland;

(b) the Executive Council of the Inn of Court of Northern Ireland;

(c) the General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland.

(3) In Article 43 of the 1976 Order (Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal), in paragraph (8), after “The Tribunal may,” insert “after consultation with the Legal Services Oversight Commissioner and”.

(4) In Article 51 of the 1976 Order (orders of Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal on inquiry), after paragraph (11) insert—

“(11A) Before making an order under paragraph (11), the Department of Finance and Personnel shall consult the Legal Services Oversight Commissioner.”.

(5) In Article 71 of the 1976 Order (orders as to remuneration of solicitors for non-contentious business), in paragraph (6)—

(a) in sub-paragraph (a), for “the Council” substitute “the Legal Services Oversight Commissioner and the Council”;

(b) in sub-paragraph (b), for “the Council” substitute “the Commissioner or the Council”.

(6) In Article 75 of the 1976 Order (regulations and rules) after paragraph (1) insert—

“(1A) Before making regulations the Society shall consult the Legal Services Oversight Commissioner.”.