{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/solicitors-act-1974/section-33A",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/solicitors-act-1974/section-33A.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/1974/47",
  "legislation_title": "Solicitors Act 1974",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/solicitors-act-1974",
  "path": "section/33A",
  "kind": "section",
  "number": "33A",
  "heading": "Inspection of practice bank accounts etc.",
  "text": "(1) The Society may make rules ... empowering the Society to require a solicitor to produce documents relating to any account kept by him at a bank or with a building society—\n(a) in connection with his practice; or\n(b) in connection with any trust of which he is or formerly was a trustee,\nfor inspection by a person appointed by the Society pursuant to the rules.\n(2) The Society shall be at liberty to disclose information obtained in exercise of the powers conferred by rules made under subsection (1) for use in investigating the possible commission of an offence by the solicitor and for use in connection with any prosecution of the solicitor consequent on the investigation.",
  "extent": "E+W",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "S. 33A inserted (27.9.1999) by 1999 c. 22, s. 48, Sch. 7 para. 3 (with Sch. 14 para. 7(2)); S.I. 1999/2657, art. 2(a)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F2",
      "text": "Words in s. 33A(1) substituted (7.3.2008) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 177, 211, Sch. 16 para. 34(2)(a) (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2008/222, art. 2(j)(i)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F3",
      "text": "Words in s. 33A(1) repealed (1.1.2010) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 177, 210, 211, Sch. 16 para. 33(2)(b), Sch. 23 (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/3250, art. 2(i)(ii)(hh) (with art. 9)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F4",
      "text": "Word in s. 33A(2) substituted (7.3.2008) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), ss. 177, 211, Sch. 16 para. 34(3) (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2008/222, art. 2(j)(i)"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C1",
      "text": "S. 33A applied (1.1.2025) by The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) (Extension to Switzerland etc.) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/1379), regs. 1(4), 25"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C2",
      "text": "S. 33A extended (with modifications) (1.7.2009) by The Registered Foreign Lawyers Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1589), art. 3(2)(g), Sch."
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C3",
      "text": "S. 33A extended (with modifications) (1.7.2009) by S.I. 2000/1119, Sch. 4 para. 7(2) Table (as amended by The Legal Services Act 2007 (Registered European Lawyers) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1587), art. 3(7)(c))"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C4",
      "text": "S. 33A extended (22.5.2000) by S.I. 2000/1119, regs. 1, 37(3), Sch. 4 para. 1(3) (as amended (1.7.2009) by The Legal Services Act 2007 (Registered European Lawyers) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1587), art. 3(4))"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1974/47/section/33A",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T10:43:05.522324+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}