Ongoing compliance for law firms
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UK Act of Parliament
1985
United Kingdom
Administration of Justice Act 1985
At a glance
Who this Act binds
Plus 4 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
Step-by-step journeys using this legislation
Walkthroughs that take you from a real business situation to compliance.
Start a law firm in England and Wales
- 2 steps
Law firm compliance quick check
- 1 step
Respond to an SRA investigation
- 1 step
AML compliance for legal services
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Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Direct — cites this Act
1 guidesWhat this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Part I — Solicitors
Browse 12 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Solicitors
Examination of solicitors’ files in connection with complaints.
Solicitors
Issue of practising certificates subject to conditions.
Conditions imposed on current certificates.
Preparation of conveyancing documents by unqualified persons.
Preparation of papers for probate
Other amendments of Solicitors Act 1974.
Recognition of legal services bodies and of sole solicitors’ practices
Legal services bodies
Penalty for pretending to be a body recognised under s. 9.
Penalty for sole solicitor pretending that practice is recognised
Part II — Licensed Conveyancing
Browse 35 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Provision of conveyancing services by licensed conveyancers.
Establishment of the Council.
Training rules.
Applications for licences.
Issue of licences by Council.
Conditional licences.
Additional fee payable by certain persons when applying for licences
Imposition of conditions during currency of licence.
Variation of conditions
Suspension or termination of licences.
Register of licensed conveyancers.
Rules as to professional practice, conduct and discipline.
Professional indemnity and compensation.
Keeping of accounts and establishment of client accounts.
Interest on clients’ money.
Preliminary investigation of disciplinary cases.
Determination of allegations by Investigating Committee
The Discipline and Appeals Committee.
Proceedings in disciplinary cases.
Removal of disqualification from holding a licence.
Revocation of licence on grounds of fraud or error.
Appeals from decisions of Council in relation to licences.
Supplementary provisions relating to disciplinary and other proceedings.
Intervention in licensed conveyancer’s practice and examination of files.
Provision of conveyancing or other services by recognised bodies.
Conveyancing services bodies
CLC practitioner services bodies
Legal professional privilege.
Administration of oaths by licensed conveyancers or licensed CLC practitioners
Modification of existing enactments relating to conveyancing etc.
Penalty for pretending to be a licensed conveyancer or recognised body.
Offences by bodies corporate.
Service of documents.
Rules.
Interpretation of Part II.
Part III — Legal Aid
Browse 7 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Legal aid complaints: preliminary.
Application to legal aid complaints against barristers of disciplinary provisions.
Exclusion of barristers from legal aid work.
Jurisdiction and powers of Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal in relation to complaints against solicitors.
Exclusion of solicitor from legal aid work.
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Part IV — The Supreme Court and County Courts
Browse 10 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Power of High Court to make judgments binding on persons who are not parties.
Power of High Court to authorise action to be taken in reliance on counsel’s opinion.
Powers of High Court on compromise of probate action.
Power of High Court to appoint substitute for, or to remove, personal representative.
Amendments relating to jurisdiction of county courts and district probate registrars in probate proceedings.
Administrative and clerical expenses of garnishees.
Reimbursement of additional costs resulting from death or incapacity of presiding judge etc.
Register of county court judgments.
Power of county court to grant relief from forfeiture for non-payment of rent.
Interpretation of Part IV.
Part V — Miscellaneous and Supplementary
Browse 13 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Time limits for actions for libel and slander.
Power of High Court to appoint an arbitrator on behalf of party in default.
Pensions Appeal Tribunals: provision for appeals by non-residents to be heard in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
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Constitution of [youth courts] in London.
Amendments of Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978.
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Northern Ireland rules of court with respect to disclosure of expert evidence etc.
Administration of oaths and taking of affidavits by public notaries in London.
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Consequential amendments and repeals.
Extent: power to make corresponding provision for Northern Ireland.
Short title, commencement, transitional provisions and savings.
Schedules
In section 21 (unqualified person not to pretend to be...
Fine up to £2,500- Pretend to be a solicitor without qualifications
In section 24 (application of penal provisions to body corporate)—...
Fine up to £2,500- Breach penal provisions as a body corporate
(1) Section 42(1) and (1A) of the 1974 Act shall...
Fine up to £1,000- Disqualified person seeking interest in recognised body without disclosure
(1) This paragraph applies where the Society is satisfied that—...
- Comply with all requirements under the Administration of Justice Act 1985 and SRA rules
(1) Section 41 of the 1974 Act (except subsection (4))...
- Do not let disqualified solicitors become managers or owners without SRA permission
(1) The Council shall keep proper accounts of all sums...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Council must keep proper accounts, appoint auditors, and publish audited accounts Statutory regulator
(1) The Council shall make rules about the procedure and...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Council must make fair-process rules for disciplinary hearings Statutory regulator
(1) For the purposes of any proceedings before the Discipline...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Discipline and Appeals Committee may compel witnesses and documents Tribunal / Court
Subject to any order for the payment of costs that...
- Pay costs incurred by the Council for Schedule 5 purposes
(1) Without prejudice to paragraph 5, if the Council passes...
Fine up to £1,000- Pay out client money after Council prohibition notice
(1) The Council may give notice to the licensed conveyancer...
Fine up to £1,000- Fail to produce documents when required by the Council
(1) The Investigating Committee shall carry out a preliminary investigation...
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- SRA Investigating Committee must investigate allegations against recognised bodies Statutory regulator
Browse 120 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
In section 3 (admission as solicitor), in subsection (3), for...
In section 43 (control of employment of certain clerks)—
. . . . . . . . . ....
In section 87 (interpretation)— (a) in subsection (1)—
(1) Schedule 1 (intervention in solicitor’s practice) shall be amended...
In Schedule 2 (the Compensation Fund), in paragraph 2(1)(b), omit...
In section 7 (entry of name and restoration of name...
In section 8 (removal or restoration of name at solicitor’s...
. . . . . . . . . ....
In section 13 (appeals in connection with issue of practising...
(1) Section 28 (regulations) shall be amended as follows.
In section 34 (accountants’ reports)— (a) in subsection (2), for...
(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), references in this Schedule to...
Legal services practices: Supplementary Provisions
Legal services practices: Supplementary Provisions
Legal services practices: Supplementary Provisions
(1) The Society may give a notice under this paragraph...
(1) The Society may make regulations prescribing charges to be...
(1) A person may appeal against— (a) a decision by...
(1) The Society may give a notice under this paragraph...
Legal services practices: Supplementary Provisions
(1) The Tribunal shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine...
In subsections (9) to (11) of section 46 of the...
(1) Where on the hearing of any complaint made to...
(1) Where, on the hearing of any complaint made to...
Legal services practices: Supplementary Provisions
(1) A body may appeal to the High Court against—...
(1) Where the Tribunal makes any such order as is...
(1) Where— (a) any order is made by the Tribunal...
(1) In the provisions to which this paragraph applies—
(1) In relation to an order under section 56 of...
(1) This paragraph applies in relation to a contentious business...
(1) If, after some business has been done under a...
(1) Subject to the provisions of any rules of court,...
Any jurisdiction— (a) of the High Court to make any...
Any jurisdiction of the High Court to make, in the...
(1) Subsection (2A) of section 69 of the 1974 Act...
(1) This paragraph applies where rules made under section 32(1)...
Section 83 of the 1974 Act shall apply in relation...
Where rules made under section 32(1) . . . of...
Where rules made under section 32(1) of the 1974 Act...
(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), where— (a) the Society is...
On the death of a solicitor practising as the sole...
The powers conferred by Part II of Schedule 1 to...
(1) Where the recognition of a body . . ....
In connection with the application of Part II of Schedule...
(1) Where a recognised body acts as such for a...
In the following provisions, namely— (a) sections 10(2), 48 and...
(1) Where rules made under section 32 of the 1974...
(1) This paragraph applies where rules made under section 33A(1)...
Where rules made under section 32 of the 1974 Act...
Where rules made under section 34 of the 1974 Act...
Where rules made under section 34 of the 1974 Act...
(1) Section 36 of the 1974 Act applies in relation...
In section 38 of the 1974 Act references to any...
Legal services practices: Supplementary Provisions
The Council shall be a body corporate.
(1) The expenses incurred by the Council in the discharge...
(1) The Council shall consist of— (a) not more than...
Constitution
(1) The Council shall prepare a scheme making provision as...
The Council shall have power to pay to the members...
The Council shall have power to do anything which in...
(1) The Council shall have power to appoint such officers...
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(1) The powers of the Council and of any of...
(1) For the purpose of advising the Discipline and Appeals...
(1) Every order of the Discipline and Appeals Committee under...
(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the powers conferred by Part...
(1) The High Court, on the application of the Council,...
(1) If the licensed conveyancer or his personal representative is...
The powers in relation to sums of money , documents...
(1) The High Court, on the application of the Council,...
On the death of a licensed conveyancer who immediately before...
The powers conferred by Part II of this Schedule shall...
(1) Where the powers conferred by Part II of this...
(1) The High Court, on the application of the Council,...
(1) Without prejudice to paragraph 5, if the Council passes...
(1) The Council may make rules governing its treatment of...
(1) If the Council takes possession of any sum of...
Without prejudice to paragraphs 5 to 7, if the High...
(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), references in this Schedule to...
(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), where— (a) the Council is...
The powers conferred by Part II of Schedule 5 shall...
(1) Where the recognition of a body . . ....
In connection with the application of Part II of Schedule...
(1) Where the Investigating Committee are satisfied that it is...
(1) Where rules made under section 22(3)(a) are applied to...
(1) Where rules made under section 22(2) and containing any...
In addition to the functions conferred on them by sections...
(1) Where, on hearing an allegation by virtue of paragraph...
(1) Where on the hearing of any allegation within paragraph...
(1) Where— (a) any order is made by the Discipline...
(1) Where the Committee make an order by virtue of...
(1) Where the Discipline and Appeals Committee are satisfied that...
(1) Where, in the case of any body . ....
(1) Paragraphs 1(2) and 2 of Schedule 4 shall have...
. . . . . . . . . ....
. . . . . . . . . ....
In section 48(2) (orders of Tribunal), for “section 47(2)” substitute...
In section 49(3) (appeals from Tribunal), at the end add...
In section 33 (effect of order of judge in probate...
In section 58(1) (persons who may take affidavits for use...
Section 1 applies in relation to services provided by a...
Subsection (6) of section 50 applies to an application under...
(1) Any order of the Lord Chancellor made, or having...
(1) Where immediately before the commencement of section 54 there...
The provisions inserted by subsections (4) and (5) of section...
Nothing in section 57 shall apply in relation to an...
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Nothing in section 63 shall apply in relation to an...
Nothing in paragraph 6 or 7 of Schedule 1 shall...
Section 2 applies in relation to a complaint whether it...
In section 3— (a) subsection (1) applies in relation to...
In section 4— (a) subsections (2) and (4) apply to...
In section 6— (a) subsection (3) applies to acts done...
Where a person has committed an offence under section 23...
Any provision made by an order under subsection (7) of...
The repeal by this Act of the provisions referred to...
Each of sections 41 to 44 applies in relation to...
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- SRA | Delegation framework (opens in a new tab) from SRA Detailed Guidance
- SRA | Who can make decisions at the SRA (opens in a new tab) from SRA Detailed Guidance
- SRA | Statutory Trust Rules (opens in a new tab) from SRA Detailed Guidance
- SRA | Roll, Registers and Publication Regulations (opens in a new tab) from SRA Detailed Guidance
- SRA | Regulatory and Disciplinary Procedure Rules (opens in a new tab) from SRA Detailed Guidance
- SRA | Principles (opens in a new tab) from SRA Detailed Guidance
- SRA | Overseas and Cross-border Practice Rules (opens in a new tab) from SRA Detailed Guidance
- SRA | Indemnity Fund Rules (opens in a new tab) from SRA Detailed Guidance
- SRA | Indemnity (Enactment) Rules 2012 (opens in a new tab) from SRA Detailed Guidance
- SRA | Financial Services (Scope) Rules (opens in a new tab) from SRA Detailed Guidance
- ... and 26 more
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
SRA
PrimarySolicitors Regulation Authority
Regulates solicitors and law firms in England and Wales. Sets standards, authorises firms, investigates misconduct, and can impose sanctions including fines and …
Legal Services Board
Oversight regulator for legal services in England and Wales. Supervises approved regulators including SRA, Bar Standards Board, and CILEx. Ensures regulation serves …
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Regulators
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