What this covers
Why you need it
Parliament created it. The power to require it comes from Solicitors Act 1974.
What the Act carries
What our graph holds for Solicitors Act 1974 as a whole — the Act behind this licence, not the licence conditions themselves.
- Duties on businesses
- 4
- Penalties
- 3
- Exemptions
- 1
Duties on businesses under the Act
- Fail to comply with document production notice Schedule 1 para.9
- Pay Law Society costs incurred under intervention schedule Schedule 1 para.13
- Pay out client money after receiving SRA prohibition notice Schedule 1 para.6
- Personal liability for corporate offence under Solicitors Act Schedule 1 para.14
What happens if you get it wrong
- Fail to comply with document production notice Fine up to £1,000
- Pay out client money after receiving SRA prohibition notice Fine up to £1,000
- Personal liability for corporate offence under Solicitors Act
Exemptions that may take you outside it
- Newly admitted solicitors and Crown Prosecutors exempt from annual compensation fund contributions — Solicitor within first three practising certificates after admission, or a Crown Prosecutor
Read our full dossier on Solicitors Act 1974
Who issues it
This one does not go to your council. It is issued by Ministry of Justice.
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.