HL Deb 22 October 1985 vol 467 cc1005-6

55 Schedule 1, page 46, line 21, at end insert—

("5A. In section 21 (unqualified person not to pretend to be a solicitor), for the words from "a fine" onwards substitute "a fine not exceeding the fourth level on the standard scale.".

5B. In section 24 (application of penal provisions to body corporate)—

  1. (a) in subsection (1)(a), for the words from "a fine" onwards substitute "a fine not exceeding the fourth level on the. standard scale, and"; and
  2. (b) in subsection (1)(b), for the words from "a fine" onwards substitute "a fine not exceeding the fourth level on the standard scale.".").

56 Page 47, line 44, after ("interpretation"), insert— ("(a) in subsection (1)—

  1. (i) in the definition of "contentious business", for "section 175(1) of the Supreme Court of Judicature (Consolidation) Act 1925" substitute "section 128 of the Supreme Court Act 1981";
  2. (ii) after the definition of "solicitor in Scotland" insert—
"the standard scale" has the meaning given by section 37 of the Criminal Justice Act 1982;"; and (b").

The Lord Chancellor

My Lords, perhaps I may take Amendments Nos. 55 and 56 together and speak also to Amendment No. 100.

100 Schedule 8, page 66, line 27, at end insert— ("Increase of penalties under Solicitors Act 1974 14. Nothing in paragraph 5A or 5B of Schedule 1 shall affect the punishment for an offence committed before the commencement of that paragraph.").

The purpose of these two amendments and the third which I mentioned, No. 100, is to ensure consistency between the penalties provided for under Clauses 31 and 32 of the Bill and those provided for corresponding offences under the Solicitors Act 1974. They accordingly raise to the fourth level on the standard scale the penalties for pretending to be a solicitor and for officers of a corporate body who allow an offence to be committed. They also correct a reference in the 1974 Act to a statute which has since been superseded. I beg to move that the house do agree with the Commons in the said amendments.

Moved, That this House do agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 55 and 56.—(The Lord Chancellor.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.