http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1980/46/section/63Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980An Act to consolidate certain enactments relating to solicitors and notaries public in Scotland.1980-11-01texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-04-15Expert Participation2026-03-05
Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 53(2C)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025s. 77(5)(e)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 32ARegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025s. 94(1)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 3B(5)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 1 para. 2(5)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 43(2A)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 1 para. 6(2)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 43(5)(a)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 1 para. 6(3)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 43(5)(b)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 1 para. 6(3)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 43ARegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 1 para. 6(6)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980Sch. 3 Pt. 1 para. 5Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 1 para. 7(2)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 21(3)(c)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 1 para. 11(2)s. 103(3)reg. 2(3)(4)sch. 2Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 34(1A)(da)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 1 para. 13(3)s. 103(3)reg. 2(3)(4)sch. 2Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 35(1)(da)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 1 para. 14(2)(d)s. 103(3)reg. 2(3)(4)sch. 2Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 37(3A)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 1 para. 16(4)s. 103(3)reg. 2(3)(4)sch. 2Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 42(2)(d)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 1 para. 21(3)(b)s. 103(3)reg. 2(3)(4)sch. 2Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 42(2A)(za)-(zc)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 1 para. 21(4)(b)s. 103(3)reg. 2(3)(4)sch. 2Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980Sch. 3 para. 1(2A)(aa)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 1 para. 23(2)(a)s. 103(3)reg. 2(3)(4)sch. 2Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 45ARegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 1 para. 26(2)s. 103(3)reg. 2(3)(4)sch. 2Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 46ARegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 1 para. 26(3)s. 103(3)reg. 2(3)(4)sch. 2Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 62A(3)-(5)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 1 para. 27(1)(c)s. 103(3)reg. 2(3)(4)sch. 2Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 53(2)(fa)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 1 para. 31(3)(d)s. 103(3)reg. 2(3)(4)sch. 2Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 53(5A)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 1 para. 31(5)s. 103(3)reg. 2(3)(4)sch. 2Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 53(6AA)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 1 para. 31(6)s. 103(3)reg. 2(3)(4)sch. 2Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 54(2)(ba)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 1 para. 32(4)s. 103(3)reg. 2(3)(4)sch. 2Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980Sch. 4 para. 16(ea)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 1 para. 33(4)(c)s. 103(3)reg. 2(3)(4)sch. 2Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980Sch. 1 para. 6BRegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 1 para. 38(3)s. 103(3)reg. 2(3)(4)sch. 2Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980Sch. 1 para. 7A(a)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 1 para. 38(4)s. 103(3)reg. 2(3)(4)sch. 2Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980Sch. 1 para. 7A(b)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 1 para. 38(4)s. 103(3)reg. 2(3)(4)sch. 2Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 42ZA(1A)(1B)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 9(3)(b)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 42ZA(3A)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 9(3)(e)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 42ZA(4)(d)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 9(3)(f)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 42ZA(4A)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 9(3)(g)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 42ZA(5)(a)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 9(3)(h)(ii)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 42ZA(5)(b)-(d) and wordsRegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 9(3)(h)(iii)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 42ZA(8)(d)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 9(3)(j)(iii)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 42ZA(8A)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 9(3)(k)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 42ZA(9)(aa)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 9(3)(l)(iv)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 42ZA(10)(a)-(c) and wordsRegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 9(3)(m)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 42ZB(3)-(6)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 9(4)(b)(iii)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 53(2)(h)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 9(6)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 53ZAARegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 9(8)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 53ZB(1)(g)(h)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 9(9)(d)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 53ZB(2)(a)(i)-(iii) and wordsRegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 9(9)(f)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 53ZB(2)(d)-(h)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 9(9)(g)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 53ZB(2A)-(2C)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 9(9)(h)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 53ZB(8A)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 9(9)(k)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 53ZB(9A)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 9(9)(l)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 54A(1A)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 9(10)(b)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 54A(3)(aa)(ab)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 9(10)(d)(i)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 54A(3)(h)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 9(10)(d)(ii)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 54A(3A)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 9(10)(e)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 3A(5)(aaa)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 10(2)(a)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 3A(5)(ae)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 10(2)(b)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 42ERegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 10(3)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 51ARegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 10(5)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 53ZDRegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 10(7)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 53ZERegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 10(8)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 54BRegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 10(9)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 55BRegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 10(10)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 62BRegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 10(11)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980Sch. 4 para. 9A 9BRegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 10(13)(a)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 42DRegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 11s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980Sch. 4 para. 14ZA 14ZBRegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 12(3)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 34(1E)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 13(2)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 10(1ZB)-(1ZE)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 20(2)(a)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 10(1B)-(1D)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 20(2)(b)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980sch. 4 para. 26Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 20(3)(c)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 12D(2A)-(2C)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 21(2)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 60A(4FA)-(4FD)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 22(2)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980Sch. 4 para. 19ARegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 23(2)(a)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980Sch. 4 para. 23(e)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 23(2)(b)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 15(2)(k)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 24(2)(b)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 15(3A)-(3C)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 24(2)(d)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 15(5)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 24(2)(f)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 15ARegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 24(3)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 16(2A)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 24(4)(b)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 18(1ZB)-(1ZE)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 24(6)(a)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 18(4)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 24(6)(b)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 19(5D)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 24(7)(e)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 19(7A)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 24(7)(g)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 20(1)(c)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 24(8)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 24C(2)(j)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 25(2)(b)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 24C(3A)-(3C)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 25(2)(d)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 24C(5)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 25(2)(f)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 24CARegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 25(3)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 24D(2A)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 25(4)(b)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 24F(1B)-(1E)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 25(6)(a)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 24F(4)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 25(6)(b)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 24G(2A)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 25(7)(b)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 24G(3A)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 25(7)(c)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 24G(4C)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 25(7)(f)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 24G(6A)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 25(7)(h)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 39A(2A)(2B)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 26(2)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 39A(8)(a)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 26(4)(a)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 39A(8)(b)(c)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 26(4)(b)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 39A(8A)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 26(5)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 40(1A)(1B)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 27(2)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 40(2A)(2B)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 27(4)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 42FRegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 28s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 53(8A)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 32(2)(d)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 54(1BA)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 33(2)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 54(1CA)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 33(4)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980Sch. 4 para. 1AA-1ADRegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 34(3)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980Sch. 4 para. 4A 4BRegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 34(7)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 52(2)(ac)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 35(2)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980Sch. 4 para. 6A 6B and cross-headingRegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 35(3)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980Sch. 4 para. 15ARegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 36(2)(b)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980Sch. 4 para. 16(da)(db)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 36(2)(c)(i)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980Sch. 4 para. 16A 16BRegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 36(2)(d)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 54CRegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 37(2)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 16(4)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 38(2)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 19(9)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 38(3)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 24D(4)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 38(4)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 24G(8)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 38(5)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 47(5)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 38(6)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 34(5)(6)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 39(12)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 63(3)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 39(16)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 63(4)Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 39(16)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 63ARegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 39(17)s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 63BRegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025sch. 3 para. 44s. 103(3)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 12A(2)(ba)Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2010s. 118(3)s. 150(2)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 32(1)(d) and wordLegal Services (Scotland) Act 2010s. 118(2)(a)(i)s. 150(2)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980s. 32(2D)Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2010s. 118(2)(a)(iv)s. 150(2)Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980Sch. 4 para. 1A(b)(iia)Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2010s. 118(2)(b)s. 150(2)
PART VI Miscellaneous And General General Penalties and time limit for prosecution of offences631Any person guilty of an offence under this Act shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale . . ..2Notwithstanding any provision of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975, the prosecution of any offence under this Act shall be commenced within 6 months of its first discovery by the prosecutor or in any event within 2 years after the commission of that offence.3Where an offence under this Act is committed by a body corporate and is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of—aany director, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate; orbany person who was purporting to act in any such capacity,he (as well as the body corporate) shall be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.4Where an offence under this Act is committed by a partnership or by an unincorporated association (other than a partnership) and is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of a partner in the partnership or, as the case may be, a person concerned in the management or control of the association, he (as well as the partnership or association) shall be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.S. 63 applied (with modifications) (1.10.2004) by The Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980 (Foreign Lawyers and Multi-national Practices) Regulations 2004 (S.S.I. 2004/383), reg. 13Words substituted by virtue of Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), ss. 289F, 289GWords in s. 63(1) substituted (3.6.1991) by Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990 (c. 40, SIF 76:2), s. 74, Sch. 8 Pt. II para. 29(14)(a)(i); S.I. 1991/1252, art. 3, Sch. 1Words in s. 63(1) repealed (3.6.1991) by Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990 (c. 40, SIF 76:2), s. 74, Sch. 8 Pt. II para. 29(14)(a)(ii), Sch. 9; S.I. 1991/1252, art. 3, Sch. 11975 c.21. S. 63(3)(4) inserted (3.6.1991) by Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990 (c. 40, SIF 76:2), s. 74, Sch. 8 Pt. II para. 29(14)(b); 1991/1252, art. 3, Sch. 1