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Administration of Justice Act 1985

1985 c. 61 · Enacted 30 October 1985 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 1 change made by later legislation has not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 1 January 2025.

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ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 61repealedAccess to Justice Act 1999 Sch. 15 Pt. 5(2)
An Act to make further provision with respect to the administration of justice and matters connected therewith; to amend the Solicitors Act 1974; to regulate the provision of solicitors’ services in the case of incorporated practices; to regulate the provision of conveyancing services by persons practising as licensed conveyancers; to make further provision with respect to complaints relating to the provision of legal aid services; to amend the law relating to time limits for actions for libel and slander; and to make further provision with respect to arbitrations and proceedings in connection with European patents.[30th October 1985]

X1C1C2Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

By Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c.53, SIF 39:1), s. 101(1), Sch. 12 para. 23; S.I. 1991/2208, art. 2(1), Sch.1 it is provided (14.10.1991) that in relation to any time before the commencement of s.70 of that 1991 Act (which came into force on 1.10.1992 by S.I. 1992/333, art. 2(2), Sch. 2) references in any enactment amended by that 1991 Act, to youth courts shall be construed as references to juvenile courts.

C2

Act: functions transferred (19.8.2003) by The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1887), arts. 1(2), 4 {Sch 1}

Editorial notes

X1

The text of ss. 1–10, 60–62, 65, 67–69, Schs. 1, 2, 7 paras. 4–6, Sch. 8 Pt. III, Sch. 9 paras. 1–7, 17 was taken from S.I.F. Group 76:1 (Lawyers and Notaries), ss. 11–39, 66, 68, 69, Schs. 3–6 from S.I.F. Group 98:1 (Property, England and Wales), ss. 40-46, 67–69, Sch. 7 paras. 1–3, Sch. 8 Pt. III, Sch. 9 paras. 8, 9 from S.I.F. Group 77:1 (Legal Aid), ss. 47–50, 51(2), 52, 53, 56–59, 67(2), 68, 69, Sch. 8, Sch. 9 paras. 10, 11, 14, 15 from S.I.F. Group 37 (Courts: Supreme Court, England and Wales), ss. 51(1), 52–56, 67–69, Sch. 7 paras. 7, 8, Sch. 8 Pts. II, III, Sch. 9 paras. 11–13 from S.I.F. Group 34 (County Courts: England and Wales), ss. 63, 68, 69, Sch. 9 para. 16 from S.I.F Group 122:3 (Tort and Delict) and ss. 64, 68, 69 from S.I.F. Group 47 (Evidence); provisions omitted from S.I.F. have been dealt with as referred to in other commentary.

Contents

  1. Part I: Solicitors
  2. Solicitors’ discipline
  3. 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  4. 2Examination of solicitors’ files in connection with complaints. Repealed
  5. 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  6. Practising certificates
  7. 4Issue of practising certificates subject to conditions. Repealed
  8. 5Conditions imposed on current certificates.
  9. Restrictions applying to unqualified persons
  10. 6Preparation of conveyancing documents by unqualified persons. Repealed
  11. 7Preparation of papers for probate etc. by unqualified persons. Repealed
  12. Other amendments
  13. 8Other amendments of Solicitors Act 1974.
  14. Legal services bodies and sole solicitors’ practices
  15. 9Recognition of legal services bodies and of sole solicitors’ practices
  16. 9ALegal services bodies
  17. 10Penalty for pretending to be a body recognised under s. 9.
  18. 10APenalty for sole solicitor pretending that practice is recognised
  19. Part II: Licensed Conveyancing
  20. Preliminary
  21. 11Provision of conveyancing services by licensed conveyancers.
  22. The Council for Licensed Conveyancers
  23. 12Establishment of the Council.
  24. Training and licensing of persons seeking to practise as licensed conveyancers
  25. 13Training rules.
  26. 14Applications for licences.
  27. 15Issue of licences by Council.
  28. 16Conditional licences.
  29. 16AAdditional fee payable by certain persons when applying for licences
  30. 17Imposition of conditions during currency of licence.
  31. 17AVariation of conditions
  32. 18Suspension or termination of licences.
  33. 19Register of licensed conveyancers.
  34. Code of conduct
  35. 20Rules as to professional practice, conduct and discipline.
  36. Financial requirements
  37. 21Professional indemnity and compensation.
  38. 22Keeping of accounts and establishment of client accounts.
  39. 23Interest on clients’ money.
  40. Disciplinary and other proceedings
  41. 24Preliminary investigation of disciplinary cases.
  42. 24ADetermination of allegations by Investigating Committee
  43. 25The Discipline and Appeals Committee.
  44. 26Proceedings in disciplinary cases.
  45. 27Removal of disqualification from holding a licence.
  46. 28Revocation of licence on grounds of fraud or error.
  47. 29Appeals from decisions of Council in relation to licences.
  48. 30Supplementary provisions relating to disciplinary and other proceedings.
  49. Intervention by Council
  50. 31Intervention in licensed conveyancer’s practice and examination of files.
  51. Recognised bodies
  52. 32Provision of conveyancing or other services by recognised bodies.
  53. 32AConveyancing services bodies
  54. 32BCLC practitioner services bodies
  55. Miscellaneous and supplemental
  56. 33Legal professional privilege.
  57. 33AAdministration of oaths by licensed conveyancers or licensed CLC practitioners
  58. 34Modification of existing enactments relating to conveyancing etc.
  59. 35Penalty for pretending to be a licensed conveyancer or recognised body.
  60. 36Offences by bodies corporate.
  61. 37Service of documents.
  62. 38Rules.
  63. 39Interpretation of Part II.
  64. Part III: Legal Aid
  65. Legal aid complaints
  66. 40Legal aid complaints: preliminary.
  67. 41Application to legal aid complaints against barristers of disciplinary provisions.
  68. 42Exclusion of barristers from legal aid work.
  69. 43Jurisdiction and powers of Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal in relation to complaints against solicitors.
  70. 44Exclusion of solicitor from legal aid work.
  71. Advice and assistance
  72. 45. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  73. Legal aid in criminal proceedings
  74. 46. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  75. Part IV: The Supreme Court and County Courts
  76. Proceedings relating to estates of deceased persons and trusts
  77. 47Power of High Court to make judgments binding on persons who are not parties.
  78. 48Power of High Court to authorise action to be taken in reliance on counsel’s opinion.
  79. 49Powers of High Court on compromise of probate action.
  80. 50Power of High Court to appoint substitute for, or to remove, personal representative.
  81. 51Amendments relating to jurisdiction of county courts and district probate registrars in probate proceedings.
  82. Garnishee proceedings
  83. 52Administrative and clerical expenses of garnishees.
  84. Reimbursement of costs
  85. 53Reimbursement of additional costs resulting from death or incapacity of presiding judge etc.
  86. Register of county court judgments
  87. 54Register of county court judgments. Repealed
  88. Relief from forfeiture in county court
  89. 55Power of county court to grant relief from forfeiture for non-payment of rent.
  90. Interpretation
  91. 56Interpretation of Part IV.
  92. Part V: Miscellaneous and Supplementary
  93. Miscellaneous
  94. 57. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  95. 58. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  96. 59Pensions Appeal Tribunals: provision for appeals by non-residents to be heard in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
  97. 60. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  98. 61Constitution of [youth courts] in London.
  99. 62Amendments of Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978.
  100. 63. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  101. 64Northern Ireland rules of court with respect to disclosure of expert evidence etc.
  102. 65. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  103. Supplementary
  104. 66. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  105. 67Consequential amendments and repeals.
  106. 68Extent: power to make corresponding provision for Northern Ireland.
  107. 69Short title, commencement, transitional provisions and savings.
  108. Schedule 1: Minor Amendments of Solicitors Act 1974
  109. 1Paragraph 1
  110. 2Paragraph 2
  111. 3Paragraph 3
  112. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  113. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  114. 6Paragraph 6
  115. 7Paragraph 7
  116. 8Paragraph 8
  117. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  118. 10Paragraph 10
  119. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  120. 12Paragraph 12
  121. 13Paragraph 13
  122. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  123. Schedule 2: Legal services practices: Supplementary Provisions
  124. Interpretation
  125. 1Paragraph 1
  126. Appeal against refusal of Society to grant recognition etc
  127. 2Paragraph 2
  128. Accounts rules
  129. 3Paragraph 3
  130. Interest on clients’ money
  131. 4Paragraph 4
  132. 4ZAParagraph 4ZA
  133. Inspection of bank accounts
  134. 4AParagraph 4A
  135. Accountants’ reports
  136. 5Paragraph 5
  137. 5AParagraph 5A
  138. Compensation Fund
  139. 6Paragraph 6
  140. Solicitor who is justice of the peace not to act in certain proceedings
  141. 7Paragraph 7
  142. 8Paragraph 8 Not yet in force
  143. Restriction on employment of person struck off roll or suspended
  144. 9Paragraph 9
  145. Failure to disclose fact of having been struck off or suspended
  146. 10Paragraph 10
  147. Control of employment of persons convicted of offences of dishonesty and certain other persons
  148. 11Paragraph 11 Repealed
  149. Offences in connection with orders under section 43(2) of the 1974 Act
  150. 12Paragraph 12 Repealed
  151. Powers of Council in respect of inadequate professional services
  152. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  153. information about suitatbility for recognition
  154. 14Paragraph 14
  155. 14ZAParagraph 14ZA
  156. Power to charge for costs of investigation
  157. 14AParagraph 14A
  158. Disciplinary powers of the Society
  159. 14BParagraph 14B
  160. 14CParagraph 14C
  161. Lay observers
  162. 15Paragraph 15 Repealed
  163. Complaints to Tribunal with respect to recognised bodies and recognised sole solicitor’s practice,
  164. 16Paragraph 16
  165. Procedure on applications and complaints
  166. 17Paragraph 17
  167. Powers of Tribunal with respect to recognised bodies
  168. 18Paragraph 18
  169. 18AParagraph 18A
  170. Powers of Tribunal in respect of inadequate professional services
  171. 19Paragraph 19 Repealed
  172. Powers of Tribunal in respect of legal aid complaints
  173. 20Paragraph 20
  174. Revocation of recognition by reason of default by director
  175. 21Paragraph 21
  176. Costs: general modification of provisions of Part III of 1974 Act
  177. 22Paragraph 22
  178. Orders as to remuneration for non-contentious business
  179. 23Paragraph 23
  180. Effect of contentious business agreements
  181. 24Paragraph 24
  182. Effect on contentious business agreement of supervening incapacity of recognised body to act for client
  183. 25Paragraph 25
  184. Assessments with respect to contentious business
  185. 26Paragraph 26
  186. Power of court to order delivery of bill of costs, etc.
  187. 27Paragraph 27
  188. Power of court to order recognised body to pay over clients’ money
  189. 28Paragraph 28
  190. Actions to recover costs
  191. 29Paragraph 29
  192. Power of Society to inspect files relating to certain proceedings
  193. 30Paragraph 30
  194. Bank accounts
  195. 31Paragraph 31
  196. 31AParagraph 31A
  197. Intervention by Society
  198. 32Paragraph 32
  199. 32AParagraph 32A
  200. 33Paragraph 33
  201. 34Paragraph 34
  202. 35Paragraph 35
  203. Privilege from disclosure etc.
  204. 36Paragraph 36
  205. Modification of enactments relating to conveyancing etc.
  206. 37Paragraph 37
  207. Schedule 3: The Council for Licensed Conveyancers: Supplementary Provisions
  208. Status
  209. 1Paragraph 1
  210. Constitution
  211. 2Paragraph 2
  212. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  213. 4Paragraph 4
  214. Remuneration of members
  215. 5Paragraph 5
  216. Incidental powers
  217. 6Paragraph 6
  218. Officers and staff
  219. 7Paragraph 7
  220. Committees of the Council
  221. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  222. Proceedings
  223. 9Paragraph 9
  224. Expenses of Council
  225. 10Paragraph 10
  226. Accounts
  227. 11Paragraph 11
  228. Schedule 4: The Discipline and Appeals Committee: Supplementary Provisions
  229. Rules of procedure
  230. 1Paragraph 1
  231. Evidence etc.
  232. 2Paragraph 2
  233. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  234. Filing of orders of Committee
  235. 4Paragraph 4
  236. Schedule 5: Intervention in Licensed Conveyancer’s Practice
  237. Part I: Circumstances in which Council may Intervene
  238. 1Paragraph 1
  239. 2Paragraph 2
  240. 3Paragraph 3
  241. 4Paragraph 4
  242. Part II: Powers Exercisable on Intervention
  243. Money
  244. 5Paragraph 5
  245. 6Paragraph 6
  246. 6AParagraph 6A
  247. 6BParagraph 6B
  248. 7Paragraph 7
  249. 8Paragraph 8
  250. Documents
  251. 9Paragraph 9
  252. Redirection of communications
  253. 10Paragraph 10
  254. Trusts
  255. 10AParagraph 10A
  256. General
  257. 11Paragraph 11
  258. 12Paragraph 12
  259. 12AParagraph 12A
  260. Schedule 6: Bodies Recognised under s.32: Supplementary Provisions
  261. Construction of references to recognised bodies
  262. 1Paragraph 1
  263. Disciplinary control of recognised bodies
  264. 2Paragraph 2
  265. 3Paragraph 3
  266. 3AParagraph 3A
  267. 4Paragraph 4
  268. 5Paragraph 5
  269. Appeals against orders of the Committee
  270. 6Paragraph 6
  271. Revocation of recognition on grounds of fraud or error
  272. 7Paragraph 7
  273. Appeal against decision of Council in relation to grant of recognition
  274. 8Paragraph 8
  275. Rules of procedure, etc.
  276. 9Paragraph 9
  277. Intervention by Council
  278. 10Paragraph 10
  279. 11Paragraph 11
  280. 12Paragraph 12
  281. 13Paragraph 13
  282. Examination of files
  283. 14Paragraph 14
  284. Application of rules relating to accounts and interest on client’s money
  285. 15Paragraph 15 Repealed
  286. 16Paragraph 16
  287. Schedule 7: Consequential Amendments
  288. Legal Aid Act 1974 (c.4)
  289. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  290. Solicitors Act 1974 (c.47)
  291. 4Paragraph 4 Not yet in force
  292. 5Paragraph 5
  293. 6Paragraph 6 Not yet in force
  294. County Courts Act 1984 (c.28)
  295. 7Paragraph 7
  296. 8Paragraph 8
  297. Schedule 8: Repeals
  298. IRepeal Coming into Force on Royal Assent
  299. IIRepeals Coming into Force Two Months After Royal Assent
  300. IIIRepeals Coming into Force on an Appointed Day
  301. Schedule 9: Transitional Provisions and Savings
  302. Imposition of disciplinary sanctions by Council of Law Society
  303. 1Paragraph 1
  304. Examination of solicitors’ files in connection with complaints
  305. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  306. Powers of lay observers and Tribunal in relation to inadequate professional services
  307. 3Paragraph 3
  308. Practising certificates
  309. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  310. Restriction on preparation of contracts of sale etc.
  311. 5Paragraph 5
  312. Restriction on preparation of papers for probate etc.
  313. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  314. Orders modifying provisions so as to apply to incorporated practices
  315. 7Paragraph 7
  316. Legal aid complaints
  317. 8Paragraph 8
  318. 9Paragraph 9
  319. Substitution or removal of personal representatives
  320. 10Paragraph 10
  321. Administrative and clerical expenses of garnishees
  322. 11Paragraph 11
  323. Register of county court judgments
  324. 12Paragraph 12
  325. Relief from forfeiture in county court
  326. 13Paragraph 13
  327. Time limits for actions for libel or slander
  328. 14Paragraph 14
  329. Appointment of arbitrator by court
  330. 15Paragraph 15 Repealed
  331. Limitation of damages against resident magistrates etc. in Northern Ireland
  332. 16Paragraph 16
  333. Increase of penalties under Solicitors Act 1974
  334. 17Paragraph 17