What this covers
Why you need it
Parliament created it. The power to require it comes from Administration of Justice Act 1985.
What the Act carries
What our graph holds for Administration of Justice Act 1985 as a whole — the Act behind this licence, not the licence conditions themselves.
- Duties on businesses
- 10
- Penalties
- 5
- Exemptions
- 1
Duties on businesses under the Act
- Notify the Council of changes to your business address within 14 days s.19
- Account for interest on client money in prescribed cases s.23
- Breach penal provisions as a body corporate Schedule 1 para.7
- Pretend to be a solicitor without qualifications Schedule 1 para.6
- Comply with all requirements under the Administration of Justice Act 1985 and SRA rules Schedule 2 para.14B
- Disqualified person seeking interest in recognised body without disclosure Schedule 2 para.10
… and 4 more business duties in the same Act.
What happens if you get it wrong
- Breach penal provisions as a body corporate Fine up to £2,500
- Pretend to be a solicitor without qualifications Fine up to £2,500
- Disqualified person seeking interest in recognised body without disclosure Fine up to £1,000
- Fail to produce documents when required by the Council Fine up to £1,000
- Pay out client money after Council prohibition notice Fine up to £1,000
Exemptions that may take you outside it
- Client interest exemption for recognised body managers/employees — Manager or employee of a recognised body is subject to SRA rules under section 32 of the 1974 Act that …
Read our full dossier on Administration of Justice Act 1985
Who issues it
This one does not go to your council. It is issued by Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
Where to apply
Duty, penalty and exemption labels are Guvnor’s analysis of the enabling instrument, not the instrument itself. Fees, forms and conditions are set by the issuing authority — always check the linked source.