HL Deb 24 October 1990 vol 522 cc1440-1

126 After Clause 70, insert the following clause:—

Fees payable on issue of practising certificates

'. In section 11 of the Solicitors Act 1974 (fees payable on issue of practising certificates), the following subsections shall be substituted for subsections (2) and (2A)—

"(2) An order under subsection (1) may specify reduced fees for practising certificates in such circumstances as may be so specified.

(2A) Subsection (2B) applies where an order under subsection (1) specifies a reduced fee in the case of a solicitor whose income, from his practice as a solicitor, is, during such period as may be so specified, less than an amount so specified.

(2B) The question whether, for the purposes of any such order, the income of a solicitor during the specified period falls below the specified amount shall be determined in accordance with regulations made by the Master of the Rolls with the concurrence of the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice.".'.

127 After Clause 70, insert the following clause:

Additional fee payable by certain solicitors on applying for practising certificates

' The following section shall be inserted in the Solicitors Act 1974 after section 12—

12A.—(1) Where a solicitor applies for a practising certificate at a time when section 12 has effect in relation to him by reason of the circumstances mentioned in section 12(1) (ee), he shall pay an additional fee to the Society when making his application.

(2) The amount of that additional fee—

  1. (a) shall be fixed by order of the Master of the Rolls made with the concurrence of the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice; and
  2. (b) shall be designed to provide reasonable compensation to the Society for the additional cost of dealing with such applications.".'.

The Lord Chancellor

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 126 and 127. I spoke to these amendments with Amendment No. 117.

Moved, That the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendments Nos. 126 and 127. —(The Lord Chancellor.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.