Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1985

SCHEDULES

Section 56.

SCHEDULE 1

PART I Incorporation of Solicitors' Practices

Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980 c. 46

1 In section 16(1) (appeal to Court of Session against decisions of Council in relation to practising certificates)—

(a) after the word "where " there shall be inserted " (a) "; and

(b) after the word " applicant" there shall be inserted “;

(b) the Council refuse to recognise a body corporate as being suitable in terms of section 34(1A)(b), the body corporate”.

2 In section 18 (suspension of practising certificates)—

(a) after subsection (1) there shall be inserted the following subsection—

“(1A) If—

(a) an administration or winding up order, or an appointment of a provisional liquidator, liquidator, receiver or judicial factor has been made in relation to the incorporated practice; or

(b) a resolution has been passed for the voluntary winding-up of an incorporated practice (other than a resolution passed solely for the purposes of reconstruction or amalgamation of the incorporated practice with another incorporated practice),

the recognition under section 34(1A) of the incorporated practice shall be thereby revoked.”;

(b) after subsection (3) there shall be inserted the following subsection—

“(3A) On the occurrence of the circumstances mentioned in—

(a) paragraph (a) of subsection (1A), the administra tor, provisional liquidator, liquidator, receiver or, as the case may be, judicial factor appointed in relation to the incorporated practice ;

(b) paragraph (b) of subsection (1A), the incorporated practice

shall immediately intimate that fact to the Council.”.

3 In section 21(3) (definition of "consultant" in relation to requirement upon consultants to hold practising certificates)—

(a) after the word " who " there shall be inserted " (a) ";

(b) after the word " name ", where thirdly occurring, there shall be inserted—

“(b) not being a director of an incorporated practice, causes or permits his name to be associated with, that incorporated practice,”.

4 In section 26 (offence for solicitors to act as agents for unqualified persons)—

(a) in subsection (1)—

(i) after the word "who" there shall be inserted the words " or incorporated practice which ";

(ii) in each of paragraphs (b) and (d) after the word " his " there shall be inserted " or, as the case may be, its ";

(b) in subsection (3) there shall be inserted at the end the words " but " unqualified person" does not include an incorporated practice ".

5 In section 27 (offence for solicitors to share fees with unqualified person)—

(a) in subsection (1)—

(i) after the word " solicitor" there shall be inserted the words " or incorporated practice ";

(ii) after the word " him " there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, it ";

(b) in subsection (2)—

(i) after the word "solicitor", where first occurring, there shall be inserted the words " or incorporated practice ";

(ii) in paragraph (a) after the word "him" there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, to it " and after the word " business", where secondly occurring, there shall be inserted the words " or former director of the incorporated practice ";

(iii) in paragraph (b), after the word "business", where first occurring, there shall be inserted the words " or as the case may be, a director or member of the incorporated practice " and after the word "he" there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, it ;

(iv) in paragraph (c) after the word " him " there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, it .

6 In section 28 (disqualified solicitors not to seek employment without informing employer)—

(a) after the word "practice" where thirdly occurring there shall be inserted the words " or by an incorporated practice ";

(b) after the word "him" there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, it ".

7 In section 30 (liability for fees of another solicitor)

(a) after the word "solicitor", where first occurring, there shall be inserted the words " or an incorporated practice ;

(b) after that word, where secondly and thirdly occurring there shall be inserted the words " or incorporated practice ,

(c) after the word "he" in each place where it occurs, there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, it ";

(d) after the word " solicitor's" there shall be inserted the words " or incorporated practice's ".

8 Section 31 (offence for unqualified persons to pretend to be solicitors or notaries public) shall be renumbered as subsection (1) of that section and—

(a) in that subsection (as so renumbered) there shall be inserted at the end the following—

“In this section,' unqualified person ' does not include an incorporated practice”;

(b) after that subsection there shall be inserted the following subsections—

“(2) Any person (including a body corporate) who either by himself or together with others, wilfully and falsely—

(a) pretends to be an incorporated practice ;

(b) takes or uses any name, title, addition or description implying that he is an incorporated practice,

shall be guilty of an offence.

(3) Where an offence under this section which has been committed by a body corporate is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of the director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate, or any person 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.”.

9 In section 32(2) (persons to whom offence of preparing certain documents does not apply) there shall be inserted at the end the following— “; or

(e) an incorporated practice.”.

10 In section 33 (unqualified persons not entitled to fees etc.) there shall be inserted at the end—

“This section does not apply to an incorporated practice.”.

11 After section 33 there shall be inserted the following section—

“33A Privilege of incorporated practices from disclosure etc.

(1) Any communication made to or by an incorporated practice in the course of its acting as such for a client shall in any legal proceedings be privileged from disclosure in like manner as if the body had at all material times been a solicitor acting for the client.

(2) Any enactment or instrument making special provision in relation to a solicitor or other legal representative as to the disclosure of information, or as to the production, seizure or removal of documents, with respect to which a claim to professional privilege could be maintained, shall, with any necessary modifications, have effect in relation to an incorporated practice as it has effect in relation to a solicitor.”.

12 In section 34 (rules as to professional practice, conduct and discipline)—

(a) in subsection (1) at the end there shall be inserted the words " and incorporated practices " ;

(b) after subsection (1) there shall be inserted the following subsection—

“(1A) Rules made under this section may—

(a) provide as to the management and control by—

(i) solicitors holding practising certificates or their executors ;

(ii) other incorporated practices

of bodies corporate carrying on businesses consisting of the provision of professional services such as are provided by individuals and firms practising as solicitors being bodies the membership of which is restricted to such solicitors, executors and other incorporated practices ;

(b) prescribe the circumstances in which such bodies may be recognised by the Council as being suitable to undertake the provision of any such services ;

(c) prescribe the conditions which (subject to any exceptions provided by the rules) must at all times be satisfied by bodies corporate so recognised if they are to remain so recognised (which bodies, when and for so long as so recognised, are in this Act referred to as "incorporated practices ;

(d) regulate the conduct of the affairs of incorporated practices ; and

(e) provide—

(i) for the manner and form in which applications for recognition under this section are to be made, and for the payment of fees in connection with such applications ;

(ii) for regulating the names that may be used by incorporated practices ;

(iii) as to the period for which any recognition granted under this section shall (subject to the provisions of this Act) remain in force ;

(iv) for the revocation of any such recognition on the grounds that it was granted as a result of any error or fraud ;

(v) for the keeping by the Society of a list containing the names and places of business of all incorporated practices and for the information contained in any such list to be available for inspection;

(vi) for rules made under any provision of this Act to have effect in relation to incorporated practices with such additions, omissions or other modifications as appear to the Council to be necessary or expedient;

(vii) for empowering the Council to take such steps as they consider necessary or expedient to ascertain whether or not any rules applicable to incorporated practices by virtue of this section are being complied with.”

(c) after subsection (4) there shall be inserted the following subsections—

“(4A) A certificate purporting to be signed by an officer of the Society and stating that any body corporate is or is not an incorporated practice shall, unless the contrary is proved, be sufficient evidence of that fact.

(4B) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Secretary of State may, by order made by statutory instrument subject to annulment in; pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament, provide for any enactment or instrument passed or made before the commencement of section (1A) above and having effect in relation to solicitors to have effect in relation to incorporated practices with such additions, omissions, or other modifications as appear to him to be necessary or expedient.”.

13 In section 35(1) (accounts rules) after the word " solicitors ", in each place where it occurs, there shall be inserted the words " and incorporated practices ".

14 In section 36 (interest on client's money)—

(a) in subsection (1)—

(i) after the word "solicitor", where first occurring, there shall be inserted the words " or an incorporated practice ";

(ii) after the word " his" there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, by the incorporated practice in its ";

(iii) after the word " solicitor's " there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, the incorporated practice's ";

(b) in subsection (2) after the word " solicitor" there shall be inserted the words " or incorporated practice ";

(c) in subsection (3)—

(i) after the word " solicitor", where first occurring, there shall be inserted the words " or incorporated practice ";

(ii) after the word " solicitor", where lastly occurring there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, the incorporated practice ";

(iii) after the word " his" there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, its " ;

(d) in subsection (4) after the word " client" there shall be inserted the words " or an incorporated practice and its client ".

15 In section 37 (accountant's certificates)—

(a) in subsection (2) after the word " solicitor" there shall be inserted the words " and incorporated practice ";

(b) in subsection (3) after the word " firm" there shall be in serted the words " or of an incorporated practice " ;

(c) in subsection (5)—

(i) in paragraph (a) after the word "who" there shall be inserted the words " or incorporated practice which " , after the word " firm " there shall be substituted the words " or, as the case may be, of the incorporated practice " and after the word "them" there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, it ";

(ii) in paragraph (b), after the word " solicitor " there shall be inserted the words " or incorporated practice " and after the word " practice " there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, it has not ";

(d) in subsection (6)—

(i) in paragraph (a)(iii) after the word " solicitors" there shall be inserted the words '* or incorporated practices " ;

(ii) after the word "he" there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, an incorporated practice which satisfies the Council that it ";

(e) in subsection (7)—

(i) after the word " solicitor " there shall be inserted the words " or incorporated practice ";

(ii) after the word " him " there shall be inserted the the words " or, as the case may be, it ".

16 In section 38 (powers of Council where dishonesty alleged)—

(a) in subsection (1)—

(i) after the word " his ", where first occurring, there shall be inserted the words " or an incorporated practice or any employee thereof ";

(ii) after the word " firm " there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, such incorporated practice ";

(b) in subsection (2)—

(i) in paragraph (a), there shall be inserted at the end the words " or, as the case may be, such incorporated practice ";

(ii) in paragraph (b), there shall be inserted at the end the words " or, as the case may be, of which the incorporated practice or one of its employees is a sole trustee or it is a co-trustee only with one or more of it employees. ".

17 In section 39 (Council's powers where delay alleged)—

(a) in subsection (1)—

(i) after the word "solicitor" there shall be inserted the words " or an incorporated practice ";

(ii) after the word " firm " there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, it ";

(iii) after the word " employees " there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, the incorporated practice or one of its employees was the sole trustee or it was a co-trustee only with one or more of its employees " ,

(iv) after the word " solicitor " where secondly occurring, there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, incorporated practice ";

(b) in subsection (2)—

(i) after the word " solicitor", where first and lastly occurring there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, incorporated practice ";

(ii) after the word " he " there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, it ";

(iii) after the word " firm " there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, to that incorporated practice. ".

18 In section 40 (Council's powers where failure to comply with accounts rules etc.)—

(a) in subsection (1)—

(i) after the word " solicitor ", where first occurring, there shall be inserted the words " or incorporated practice ";

(ii) after the word " solicitor", where secondly and thirdly occurring, there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, incorporated practice ";

(iii) after the word " his " there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, its ";

(iv) after the word " section", where lastly occurring, there shall be inserted " (a) ";

(v) for the words " and the certificate " there shall be substituted the following

“; or, as the case may be—

(b) withdraw the practising certificate or certificates of any or all of the solicitors who are directors of the incorporated practice,

and a certificate so withdrawn”;

(b) in subsection (2)—

(i) after the word " he" there shall be inserted the words " or as the case may be, bv the incorporated practice mat it ";

(ii) after the word " solicitor " where secondly occurring, there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, the incorporated practice " ,

(iii) for the words from " and " onward there shall be substituted the words " or solicitors concerned and shall restore to him or them any practising certificate or certificates held by him or them for the practice year then current. ";

(c) in subsection (3) for the word " the ", where secondly occur ring, there shall be substituted the word " a ".

19 In section 41 (appointment of judicial factor)—

(a) after the word " solicitor", where first occurring, there shall be inserted the words " or an incorporated practice ";

(b) after the word " solicitor" where secondly occurring, there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, the incorporated practice ";

(c) for the words " in connection with his practice as a solicitor " there shall be substituted the words " , in the case of a solicitor, in connection with his practice as such ";

(d) after the word " arise " there shall be inserted the following “; or

(c) that, in the case of an incorporated practice, either—

(i) its liabilities exceed its assets, or

(ii) its books, accounts and other documents are in such a condition that it is not reasonably practicable to ascertain definitely whether its liabilities exceed its assets, or

(iii) there is reasonable ground for apprehending that a claim on the guarantee fund may arise”;

(e) after the word " solicitor ", where fourthly occurring, there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, of the incorporated practice " ;

(f) after the word "solicitor", where fifthly occurring, there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, the incorporated practice " ;

(g) for the words " the solicitor's " there shall be substituted the word " such ".

20 In section 42 (distribution of sums in client bank account)—

(a) in subsection (1)—

(i) after the word "(2)" there shall be inserted the words " or (2A) ";

(ii) after the word " solicitor ", where first occurring, there shall be inserted the words " or an incorporated practice ";

(iii) after the word "him", where first and thirdly occurring, there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, by it ";

(iv) after the word " clients ", where firstly occurring, there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, by it on behalf of its clients ";

(v) after the word "solicitor", where secondly occurring, there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, the incorporated practice ";

(vi) after the word " behalf", where secondly occurring, there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, by it on their behalf ";

(vii) after the word " him", where lastly occurring, there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, by it ";

(b) after subsection (2) there shall be inserted the following subsection—

“(2A) The events to which subsection (1) applies are in relation to any incorporated practice—

(a) the making of an administration or winding up order or the appointment of a provisional liquidator, liquidator, receiver or judicial factor; or

(b) the passing of a resolution for voluntary winding up (other than one passed solely for the purposes of reconstruction or amalgamation with another incorporated practice)”;

(c) in subsection (3)—

(i) after the word " solicitor", where first occurring, there shall be inserted the words " or an incorporated practice ";

(ii) after the word " his ", where first occurring, there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, its ";

(iii) after the word " client", where secondly occurring, there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, by the incorporated practice on that behalf ";

(iv) after the word " him " there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, by it ";

(v) after the word " name " there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, by the incorporated practice in its own name ".

21 In section 43 (Guarantee Fund)—

(a) in subsection (2) after the words "part of" there shall be inserted " (a) " and at the end there shall be inserted “; or

(b) any incorporated practice or any director, manager, secretary or other employee of an incorporated practice, notwithstanding that subsequent to the commission of that act it may have ceased to be recognised under section 34(1A) or have been wound up”;

(b) in subsection (3), after paragraph (c), there shall be added the following—

“(cc) to an incorporated practice or any director or member thereof in respect of a loss suffered by it or him by reason of dishonesty on the part of any director, manager, secretary or other employee of the incorporated practice in connection with the practice”;

(c) in subsection (7)(c) there shall be inserted at the end the following " or in the employment of an incorporated practice ".

22 In section 44 (professional indemnity)—

(a) in subsection (1)—

(i) after the word " solicitors ", where secondly occurring, there shall be inserted the words " and incorporated practices ";

(ii) in paragraph (c) after the word " solicitors ", where secondly occurring, there shall be inserted the words " and incorporated practices or any specified class thereof ";

(b) in subsection (3)—

(i) in each of paragraphs (b) and (c) after the word " solicitors". where secondly occurring, there shall be inserted the words " and incorporated practices or any class of incorporated practices ";

(ii) in paragraph (f) after the word " solicitor" there shall be inserted the words " or incorporated practice " and after each of the words " he " and " him " there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, it ";

(iii) in paragraph (g) after the word " solicitors " there shall be inserted the words " and incorporated practices ";

(c) in subsection (5) there shall be inserted at the end the words " and, as respects incorporated practices, means any liability incurred by it which if it had been incurred by a solicitor would constitute such civil liability ".

23 In section 45 (safeguarding interests of clients of solicitors struck off or suspended)—

(a) in subsection (1) [at the end there shall be inserted the words " and, in relation to any incorporated practice, the recognition under section 34(1A) of which is revoked ";

(b) in subsection (2)—

(i) at the beginning there shall be inserted the words " In the case of a solicitor, ";

(ii) after the words " solicitors" there shall be inserted the words " or incorporated practice ";

(c) after subsection (2) there shall be inserted the following subsection—

“(2A) In the case of an incorporated practice, it shall within 21 days of the material date satisfy the Council that it has made suitable arrangements for making available to its clients or to some other solicitor or solicitors or incorporated practice instructed by its clients or itself—

(a) all deeds, wills, securities, papers, books of accounts, records, vouchers and other documents in its possession or control which are held on behalf of its clients or which relate to any trust of which it is sole trustee or co-trustee only with one or more of its employees ; and

(b) all sums of money due from it or held by it on behalf of its clients or subject to any trust as aforesaid.”;

(d) in subsection (3)—

(i) after the word " solicitor" in both places where it occurs, there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, incorporated practice ";

(ii) after the word " he " there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, any director, manager, secretary or other employee of the incorporated practice ";

(e) in subsection (5), after the word " practice " there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, the recognition under section 34(1A) is revoked. ".

24 In section 47 (restriction on employing solicitor struck off or suspended)—

(a) in subsection (1)—

(i) after the word " solicitor", where secondly occurring, there shall be inserted the words " and, unless it has such permission, an incorporated practice shall not ";

(ii) after the word " his ", where first occurring, there shall be inserted the words ““ or, as the case may be, its ";

(b) in subsection (3) after the word " solicitor " there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, incorporated practice ";

(c) in subsection (4) at the end there shall be inserted the words " and if any incorporated practice so acts its recognition under section 34(1A) shall be revoked. ".

25 In section 49 (investigation by lay observer of Society's treatment of complaints), in subsection (1) after the word "solicitor". Where secondly occurring, there shall be inserted the words " or about an incorporated practice or an employee thereof ".

26 In section 51(2) (complaints to Discipline Tribunal) after the words " client) " there shall be inserted the words " or an incorporated practice may have failed to comply with any provision of this Act or of rules made under this Act applicable to it ".

27 In section 52(1) (procedure and powers of Discipline Tribunal) there shall be inserted at the end the words " or an incorporated practice ".

28 In section 53 (powers of Discipline Tribunal)—

(a) in subsection (1) there shall be inserted at the end— “; or

(c) an incorporated practice has been convicted by any court of an offence, which conviction the Tribunal is satisfied renders it unsuitable to continue to be recognised under section 34(1 A); or

(d) after holding an inquiry into a complaint, the Tribunal is satisfied that an incorporated practice has failed to comply with any provision of this Act or of rules made under this Act applicable to it”.

(b) in subsection (2) (powers of Discipline Tribunal)—

(i) in paragraphs (c) and id) after the word " solicitor " there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, the incorporated practice ".

(ii) in paragraph (e) after the word " him " there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, it ".

(iii) after paragraph (e) there shall be added the following— “or

(f) order that the recognition under section 3 4(1 A) of the incorporated practice be revoked”.

(c) after subsection (6) (effective date of striking off or suspension of solicitor) there shall be inserted the following subsection—

“(6A) Where the Tribunal order that the recognition under .section 34(1 A) of an incorporated practice be revoked, the Tribunal shall direct that the order shall take effect on such date as the Tribunal specifies, being a date not earlier than 60 days after its order is intimated to the incorporated practice, and such an order shall take effect accordingly.”.

(d) in subsection (7) after the word " (6)" there shall be inserted the words " or (6A) " and for the words " that subsection " there shall be substituted the words " subsection (6) or, as the case may be, subsection (6A) ".

29 In section 54 (appeals by solicitors from decisions of the Discipline Tribunal)—

(a) in subsection (1) for the word " him " there shall be substituted the words " that person ";

(b) in subsection (2)—

(i) after the word " Where" there shall be inserted " (a) ";

(ii) after the word " effect", where secondly occurring, there shall be inserted—; “;

(b) the Tribunal has ordered the revocation of the recognition under section 34(1A) of an incorporated practice, the incorporated practice may within 21 days of the date when the order is intimated to it apply to the court for an order varying (subject to the limit of 60 days referred to in subsection (6A) of section 53) the direction under that subsection ;”

30 In section 60 (offence for notaries public to act for unqualified persons) in subsection (2) there shall be inserted at the end the words " but " unqualified person " does not include an incorporated practice ".

31 In section 61 (protection of banks)—

(a) in each of subsections (1) and (2) after the word " solicitor " there shall be inserted the words " or an incorporated practice ";

(b) in subsection (3) after the word " solicitor", where first occurring, there shall be inserted the words " or an incorporated practice " and after that word, where secondly occurring, there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, the incorporated practice ".

32 In section 64 (service of notices) there shall be inserted at the end the words " or, in the case of an incorporated practice, if it is left at, or delivered or sent by post to, its registered office ".

33 In section 65(1) (interpretation) after the definition of "functions " there shall be inserted the following—

• “incorporated practice" has the meaning given by section 34(lA)(c);”

34 In Schedule 3 (The Scottish Solicitors' Guarantee Fund)—

(a) in paragraph 1—

(i) after sub-paragraph (2) there shall be inserted the following sub-paragraphs—

“(2A) Sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) do not apply to solicitors who are directors of incorporated practices.

(2B) Subject to the provisions of this Act, there shall be paid to the Society on behalf of the Guarantee Fund by every incorporated practice in respect of each year during which, or part of which, it is recognised under section 34(1A) a contribution (hereafter referred to as an "annual corporate contribution ") in accordance with the scale of such contributions referred to in sub-paragraph (3).”

(ii) in sub-paragraph (3) there shall be inserted at the end the words "and the scale of the annual corporate contributions to be so paid, which scale shall be fixed by reference to factors which shall include the number of solicitors who are directors or employees of each of the incorporated practices to which the scale relates.

(iii) in sub-paragraph (4) after the word " solicitor " there shall be inserted the words " and no annual corporate contribution by an incorporated practice ";

(iv) in sub-paragraph (5) for the words " a special", where secondly occurring, there shall be substituted the words " upon every incorporated practice a contribution (hereafter referred to as a " special corporate contribution ") in accordance with a scale of such contributions fixed by the Council as under sub-paragraph (3), and a special or special corporate " ;

(v) in paragraph 1(8) after the word " solicitors" there shall be inserted the words " or of an incorporated practice ";

(b) in paragraph 3(2), after the word " solicitors ", where first occurring, there shall be inserted the words " and incorporated practices " and after that word, where secondly occurring, there shall be inserted the words " or incorporated practice or practices ";

(c) in paragraph 4(2) after the word " employee " there shall be inserted the words " or the incorporated practice in question or its employee ".

(d) in paragraph 5(2) after the word "solicitor'' there shall be inserted the words " or incorporated practice ".

35 In Schedule 4 (constitution, procedure and powers of Tribunal)—

(a) in paragraph 9—

(i) after the word " solicitor ", where first and secondly occurring, there shall be inserted respectively, the words " or an incorporated practice " and " or the incorporated practice " ; and

(ii) after the word " him " there shall be inserted the words " or, as the case may be, it ";

(iii) after the word " solicitor " where thirdly and lastly occurring there shall be inserted, in each case, the words " or, of failure on the part of the incorporated practice to comply with any provision of this Act or of rules made under this Act ";

(b) in paragraph 10 (duty of Discipline Tribunal to give respond ent solicitor notice of complaint)—

(i) after the word " solicitor" there shall be inserted the words " or incorporated practice ";

(ii) after the words " him " and " his " there shall be inserted respectively the words " or, as the case may be, it " and " or, as the case may be, its ".

(c) In paragraph 16—

(i) in each of paragraphs (c) and (d) after the word " solicitor" there shall be inserted the words " or an incorporated practice ";

(ii) after paragraph (d) there shall be added— “or

(e) order that the recognition under section 34(1A) of an incorporated practice be revoked”;

(iii) for " (d)" where secondly occurring, there shall be substituted " (e) ";

(iv) after the word " court", where secondly occurring, there shall be inserted the words " or under section 53(6A) which has not been varied by the court ";

(v) after the word " roll", where secondly occurring, there shall be inserted the words " or as to revoking the recognition under section 34(1A) of an incorporated practice ".

Building Societies Act 1962 (c. 37)

36 In section 34(4) (restriction on commissions for introduction of business) after the word " solicitor " there shall be inserted the words " (including that of an incorporated practice within the meaning of the Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980) ".

Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1967 (c. 43)

37 In section 6(3)(a) (exclusion of certain solicitors from giving legal aid) the word " or" immediately preceding sub-paragraph (iii) shall be omitted and after that sub-paragraph there shall be inserted the following— “or—

(iv) in the case of a director of an incorporated practice, such conduct on the part of any person who is for the time being a director of the incorporated practice.”.

Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1970 (c. 10)

38 In sections 481(3) and 490(3) (savings for solicitors in relation to certain requirements to furnish information to Inland Revenue) any reference to a solicitor shall include a reference to an incorporated practice within the meaning of the Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980 and any reference to a solicitor's client shall, in relation to a solicitor who is a director, manager, secretary or employee of such a practice, be construed as a reference to a client of that practice.

Legal Advice and Assistance Act 1972 (c. 50)

39 In section 5(2) (definition of "the solicitor" for purposes of rules relating to payment of certain charges or fees), after the word " solicitors ", where first occurring, there shall be inserted the words " or by an incorporated practice (within the meaning of the Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980) " and after that word, where secondly occurring, there shall be inserted the words ", incorporated practice ".

Estate Agents Act 1979 (c. 38)

40 In section 1(2)(a) (disapplication of Act to practising solicitors and their employees) after the word " him " there shall be inserted the words " or by an incorporated practice (within the meaning of the Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980) or a person employed by it ".

Finance Act 1980 (c. 48)

41 In section 30(5) (saving for solicitors in relation to requirement to furnish certain information to Inland Revenue) any reference to a solicitor shall include a reference to an incorporated practice and any reference to a solicitor's client shall, in relation to a solicitor who is a director, manager, secretary or employee of an incorporated practice within the meaning of the Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980, be construed as a reference to a client of that practice.

PART II Amendments of Legal Aid and Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1949 and Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980

Legal Aid and Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1949 (c.63)

1 Section 25 (provisions as to taking apprentices) is hereby repealed.

Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980 (c.46)

2 In section 6 (admission as solicitor)—

(a) in subsection (1)(b) the words " by affidavit or otherwise " are hereby repealed.

(b) after subsection (3) there shall be inserted the following subsections—

“(3A) he Council may petition the court for the admission as a solicitor of an applicant who has complied with the requirements of subsection (1) above ; and, where it does so it shall lodge the petition not later than one month after the applicant has first so complied.

(3B) The Court shall, on a petition being made to it under subsection (3A) above, make an order admitting the applicant as a solicitor.”.

3 Section 15(2)(a) (Council to have discretion as to issue of practising certificates where applicant still has to serve post-qualifying year of practical training) is hereby repealed.

4 In section 35(1) (power to make accounts rules)-—

(a) the word " and " immediately preceding paragraph (d) shall be omitted;

(b) after that paragraph there shall be added the following— “; and

(e) as to the recovery from solicitors of fees and other costs incurred by the Council in ascertaining whether or not a solicitor who has failed to comply with the accounts rules has remedied that failure and is complying with the rules.”.

5 Section 48 (restriction on number of apprentices) is hereby repealed.

6 After section 62 there shall be inserted the following section—

“62A Council's power to recover expenses incurred under section 38 ,45 or 46.

(1) Without prejudice to the Society's entitlement under section 46(4) to recover expenses, the Council shall be entitled to recover from a solicitor or incorporated practice in respect of whom it has taken action under section 38, 45, or 46, any expenditure reasonably incurred by it in so doing.

(2) Expenditure incurred in taking action under section 38 is recoverable under subsection (1) above only where notice has been served under paragraph 5(2) of Schedule 3 in connection with that action and—

(a) no application has been made in consequence under paragraph 5(4) of that Schedule ; or

(b) the Court, on such an application, has made a direction under paragraph 5(5) of that Schedule.”.

7 In Schedule 1 (constitution etc. of the Law Society of Scotland)—

(a) for paragraph 6 (subscriptions) there shall be substituted the following paragraphs—

“6 Subject to paragraph 7, every member of the Society shall, for each year, pay to the Society such subscription as may be fixed from time to time by the Society in general meeting.

6A The subscription payable under paragraph 6 by a practising member (or the proportion of it so payable, calculated by reference to the number of months remaining in the practice year) shall be paid at the time of submission of his application for a practising certificate.”;

(b) in paragraph 7 (subscription in first three years of enrolment)—

(i) the word " annual", in both places where it occurs, is hereby repealed;

(ii) after the word " year " there shall be inserted the words " or part thereof "; and

(iii) there shall be added at the end the words " (reduced, in the case of a solicitor first included in the roll for only part of a year, in that year proportionately) "; and

(c) after the said paragraph 7 there shall be inserted the following paragraphs—

“7A The Society shall have power, subject to paragraphs 7B to 7D, to impose in respect of any year a special subscription on all members of the Society of such amount and payable at such time and for such specified purpose as it may determine.

7B The Society may determine that an imposition under paragraph 7 A shall not be payable by any category of member or shall be abated as respects any category of member.

7C An imposition under paragraph 7A or a determination under that paragraph or paragraph 7B may be made only in general meeting.

7D No imposition may be made under paragraph 7A above unless a majority of those members entitled to attend and vote at the general meeting at which it is proposed has, whether by proxy or otherwise, voted in favour of its being made.”.

8 In Schedule 3 (the Scottish Solicitors Guarantee Fund)—

(a) in paragraph 1(1) (annual contributions to Guarantee Fund) the words " not exceeding the sum of £25 " are hereby repealed.

(b) in paragraph 1(3) (Council to fix amount of contributions for each year by previous 31 July) for the words "31 July" there shall be substituted the words " 30 September "; and

(c) paragraph 1(7) (limit to special contributions to Guarantee Fund) is hereby repealed.

Sections 23 and 59.

SCHEDULE 2 Amendment of Enactments

The Jurors (Scotland) Act 1825 (c.22)

1 In section 10 (order in which names of jurors are to be taken for civil proceedings) for the words " in the said jury books " and " general jury book " there shall be substituted respectively the words " of potential jurors " and " lists ".

The Juries (Scotland) Act 1826 (c.8)

2 In section 4 (names of dead and disqualified jurors not to be included in returns of jurors) for the words " said general jury book ", in both places where these occur, there shall be substituted the words " list of potential jurors ".

Lyon King of Arms Act 1867 (c.17)

3 In section 10 the words from " Provided also " to the end of the section shall cease to have effect.

Titles to Land Consolidation (Scotland) Act 1868 (c. 101)

4 In section 159 (litigiosity not to begin before date of registration in Register of Inhibitions and Adjudications of notice of summons) after the word "summons", where thirdly occurring, there shall be inserted the words " and contain a description of the lands to which the summons relates ".

5 In Schedule RR (form of notice of summons) after the word "signeting]" there shall be inserted the words " The summons relates to [insert description of lands]. ".

Conveyancing (Scotland) Act 1924 (c.27)

6 In section 44 (limitation of effect of entries in Register of Inhibitions}—

(a) in subsection (2)(a)—

(i) after the words " unless and until" there shall be inserted “—

(i)”; and

(ii) at the end there shall be inserted— “, or

(ii) a notice of an application under section 8 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1985 has been registered in the said register.”.

(b) in subsection (3)(a) for the words " and notices of litigiosity " there shall be substituted the words " , notices of litigiosity and notices of applications under section 8 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1985 ".

7 Section 46 shall be renumbered as subsection (1) thereof and after that subsection there shall be inserted the following subsection—

“(2) This section shall apply to the rectification of a document by an order under section 8 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1985 as it applies to the reduction of a deed but with the substitution of any reference to the decree of reduction of the deed with a reference to the order rectifying the document.”.

Administration of Justice (Scotland) Act 1933 (c.41)

8 In section 16 (power to regulate procedure by Act of Sederunt)—

(a) after paragraph (g) there shall be inserted the following paragraph—•

“(gg) to regulate the expenses which may be awarded to parties in causes before the Court;”; and

(b) after paragraph (h) there shall be inserted the following paragraph—

“(hh) to regulate the days on which and times at which the Court shall sit;”.

The Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 (c.49)

9 In section 21(2) (mode of provision of accommodation and maintenance of child in care of local authority) for the words " the last foregoing section " there shall be substituted the words " section 20 of this Act ".

10 In section 58B(3) for the word " child's " there shall be substituted the word " children's ".

The Conveyancing and Feudal Reform (Scotland) Act 1970 (c.35)

11 In section 41 (restriction on effect of reduction of certain discharges of securities) at the end there shall be inserted the following subsection—

“(5) This section shall apply to an order under section 8 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1985 rectifying a discharge as it applies to a decree of reduction of a discharge”.

Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971 (c.58)

12 In section 32(1) (power of Court of Session to regulate civil procedure in sheriff court)—

(a) after paragraph (h) there shall be inserted the following paragraph—

“(i) regulating the expenses which may be awarded by the sheriff to parties in proceedings before him:”; and

(b) in paragraph (i) of the proviso after the word " Act" there shall be inserted the words "(as amended by the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1985)".

13 In section 33(4) (appointment of secretary of Sheriff Court Rules Council) the words " whole-time sheriff clerk as " shall cease to have effect.

14 In section 35 (summary causes) after subsection (1) there shall be inserted the following subsection—

“(1A) For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that nothing in subsection (1) above shall prevent the Court of Session from making different rules of procedure and practice in relation to different descriptions of summary cause proceedings.”.

Administration of Justice (Scotland) Act 1972 (c.59)

15 In subsection (2) of section (1) (extended power of court to order inspection of documents and other property etc.) after the words " subsection (1) " there shall be inserted the words " or (1A) ".

The Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c.21)

16 In sections 88 to 91 (jurors in criminal proceedings) for each of the expressions " general jury roll", " jury book " where first occurring, " lists in the said jury books" and " said general jury book", in each place where it occurs, there shall be substituted the words " lists of potential jurors ".

17 In section 98 (citation of jurors) for the words " roll of " there shall be substituted the words " lists of potential ".

18 In subsection (1) of section 108 (which relates to the competency of certain objections) for the word " sheriff " there shall be substituted the word " court ".

19 In section 271 (forms relating to appeals), for the words " shall cause any such notice " to the end there shall be substituted the words " , if any prisoner in his custody so requests, shall cause any such intimation, note or notice given by that prisoner to be forwarded on the prisoner's behalf to the Clerk of Justiciary ".

20 In subsection ((1)(a)) of section 447 (which relates to the preparation of draft stated cases) for the words from " the justice " to " may be required " there shall be substituted the words " the clerk of court ".

The Land Registration (Scotland) Act 1979 (c.33)

21 In section 9 (rectification of the register)—

(a) at the end of subsection (3)(b) there shall be added the words—

“or the rectification is consequential on the making of an order under section 8 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1985.”.

(b) after subsection (3) there shall be inserted the following subsection—

“(3A) Where a rectification of an entry in the register is consequential on the making of an order under section 8 of the said Act of 1985, the entry shall have effect as rectified as from the date when the entry was made:

Provided that the court, for the purpose of protecting the interests of a person to whom section 9 of that Act applies, may order that the rectification shall have effect as from such later date as it may specify.”.

22 At the end of section 12(3) (exclusion of indemnity) there shall be added the following paragraph—

“(p) the loss arises from a rectification of the register consequential on the making of an order under section 8 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1985.”.

The Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1980 (c.62)

23 In section 3(5) (which defines the terms "parent" and child ) after the word "guardian" there shall be inserted the words " and any person who has the actual custody of a child ".

Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 (c.27)

24 In section 28 (application of section 1 of Administration of Justice (Scotland) Act 1972) after " 1972 " there shall be inserted the words " as amended by the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1985 ".

The Cinematograph (Amendment) Act 1982 (c.33)

25 The entry in Schedule 2 relating to paragraph 4 of Schedule 7D to the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 shall be treated as never having been enacted.

The Transport Act 1982 (c.49)

26 In section 42 (which relates to fixed penalties)—

(a) in subsections (2)(c)(i) and (7), for the word " tenders" there shall be substituted the word " makes ";

(b) in subsection (11), for the word " applies" there shall be substituted the words " and section 43 below apply. ".

27 In section 43 (which relates to the endorsement of licences)—

(a) in subsection (2), for the words " the fixed penalty is paid " there shall be substituted the words " payment of the fixed penalty is tendered ";

(b) after subsection (2) there shall be inserted the following subsections—

“(2A) Where it appears to a clerk of court that there is an error in an endorsement made by virtue of this section on a licence he may amend the endorsement so as to correct the error; and the amended endorsement shall have effect and shall be treated for all purposes as if it had been correctly made on acceptance of the fixed penalty.

(2B) On amending an endorsement under subsection (2A) above, the clerk of court shall send notice of the amendment to the Secretary of State.

(2C) Subject to subsection (2D) below, where a cheque tendered in payment is subsequently dishonoured—

(a) any endorsement made by a clerk of court in terms of subsection (2) above shall remain effective, notwithstanding that the licence-holder is still liable to prosecution in respect of the alleged offence to which the endorsement relates, and

(b) the clerk of the court shall, upon the expiry of the period specified in the conditional offer or, if the period has expired, forthwith notify the procurator fiscal who made the offer that no payment has been made.

(2D) When proceedings are brought against a licence-holder after notification has been made in terms of subsection (2C)(b) above the court—

(a) shall order the removal of the fixed penalty endorsement from the licence, and

(b) may, on finding the licence-holder guilty, make any competent order of endorsement or disqualification, and pass any competent sentence.

(2E) The clerk of the court shall send to the Secretary of State notice of any order made by a court under subsection (2D)(a) above.”.

The Rent (Scotland) Act 1984 (c.58)

28 In section 56(2) (registration of housing association and Housing Corporation rents), after the word " Sections", where first occurring, there shall be inserted the words " 22 to 27, ".

29 In subsection (5) of section 106 (compulsory entry to carry out works on substandard houses), for the words from " has " where first occurring, to the end there shall be substituted the words " and ' tolerable standard' have the meaning respectively assigned to them by section 49(3) of the said Act of 1974 ".

30 In Schedule 9 (savings and transitional provisions), at the end, there shall be inserted the following paragraph—

“7 The amendments to this Act made by Schedule 2 to the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1985 shall be deeined to have had effect from the commencement of this Act.”.

The Family Law (Scotland) Act 1985 (c. 37)

31 In section 27(1) (interpretation) in the definition of " matrimonial home" there shall be added at the end the words " as amended by section 13(10) of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1985 ".

The Representation of the People Act 1985 (c.50)

32 In Schedule 4, in paragraph 61(6) (amendments of the Representation of the People Act 1983 relating to time limit for prosecutions) after the word " without" there shall be inserted the word " undue ".

Section 60.

SCHEDULE 3 Transitional Provisions

Section 36

1 Sections 141 A, 141B, 346A and 346B of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 do not apply in relation to a trial which has commenced before the coming into force of those sections ; and, for the purposes of this paragraph, a trial shall be taken to commence—

(a) in the case of solemn proceedings, when the oath is administered to the jury;

(b) in the case of summary proceedings, when the first witness is sworn.

Section 38

2 The amendment to section 120 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 effected by section 38 of this Act has no effect in relation to proceedings in which the complaint was served on the accused before the coming into force of section 38 of this Act.

Section 39

3 Section 193B of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 shall not affect the punishment for an offence committed before the coming into force of section 39 of this Act.

Section 40

4 The amendments to section 407(1A) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 effected by section 40 of this Act have no effect in relation to fines imposed in respect of offences committed before the coming into force of section 40 of this Act.

Section 59.

SCHEDULE 4 Repeals

Chapter	Short Title	Extent of Repeal
1825 c. 22.	The Jurors (Scotland) Act 1825.	Sections 11 and 14.
1830 c. 37.	The Criminal Law (Scotland) Act 1830.	In section 10, the words from " Provided also " to the end of the section.
1867 c. 17.	The Lyon King of Arms Act 1867.	Section 11.
1920 c. 53.	The Jurors OBnrolment of Women) (Scotland) Act 1920.	The whole Act.
1947 c. 44.	The Crown Proceedings Act 1947.	In section 46, paragraph (c) of the proviso and the word " or " which precedes it.
1949 c. 63.	The Legal Aid and Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1949.	Section 25.
1952 c. 61.	The Prisons (Scotland) Act 1952.	Section 7(2).
		Section 18(4) and (5).
		Section 35(5)(6).
1965 c. 22.	The Law Commissions Act 1965.	Section 2(5).
1971 c. 10.	The Vehicles Excise) Act 1971.	In subsection 9(5) (as it applies to Scotland) the words " convicted on indictment of, or is ", the words" Part I or", and the words from " the conviction on " to " as the case may be,".
1971 c. 58.	The Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971.	In section 6, in subsection (1) paragraph (6) and the word " or " which precedes it.
		In section 33(4), the words " whole-time sheriff clerk as ".
1975 c. 20.	The District Courts (Scotland) Act 1975.	Section 19.
1975 c. 21.	The Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975.	In section 448(2C)(6), the words " to the draft case ".
1976 c. 32.	The Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976.	In Schedule 3, paragraph 14.
1980 c. 45.	The Water (Scotland) Act 1980.	Section 96.
1980 c. 46.	The Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980.	In section 6(1)(b), the words " by affidavit or otherwise ".
		Section 15(2)(a).
		In section 35(1), the word " and " immediately preceding paragraph (d).
		In Schedule 1, in paragraph 7 the word " annual" in both places where it occurs.
		In Schedule 3, in paragraph 1(1), the words " not exceeding the sum of £25" and paragraph 1(7).