Explanatory note

This Order designates the General Council of the Bar as a licensing authority under Part 5 (alternative business structures) of the Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29) (“the Act”) in relation to the exercise of a right of audience, the conduct of litigation, reserved instrument activities, probate activities and the administration of oaths. Part 5 of the Act makes provision about licensing authorities and their functions. The General Council of the Bar is already an approved regulator in relation to these reserved legal activities by virtue of Part 1 of Schedule 4 to the Act. Designation as a licensing authority will allow the General Council of the Bar to license alternative business structures, which are businesses wholly or partly owned or controlled by non-lawyers, to provide legal services, or a mixture of legal and other services, to the public.

An impact assessment has not been prepared for this instrument. A full impact assessment of the effect of the policy implemented by this instrument on the costs of business and the voluntary sector was produced with the Government’s consultation on the Legal Services Bill and can be found at https://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/legislation/bills-acts/lsa-2007/ria-legal-services.pdf or obtained from the Head of Legal Services Policy, EU and International Division, Judicial, Rights and International Directorate, Ministry of Justice, 102 Petty France, London SW1H 9AJ.