Law Society of Scotland
This information reflects the Society's web site at the date you downloaded or printed it and you should check at www.lawscot.org.uk to see if it is still current.

Multi Disciplinary Practices Prohibited

  • Multi Disciplinary Practices Prohibited

Solicitors (Scotland) (Multi-Disciplinary Practices) Practice Rules 1991

Rules dated 3rd May 1991, made by the Council of The Law Society of Scotland and approved by the Lord President of the Court of Session in terms of section 34 of the Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980.

1.—(1) These rules may be cited as the Solicitors (Scotland) (Multi-Disciplinary Practices) Practice Rules 1991.

(2) These rules shall come into operation on 3rd May 1991.

2.—(1) In these rules unless the context otherwise requires:—
‘‘the Act’’ means the Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980;
‘‘the Council’’ means the Council of the Society;
‘‘legal relationship’’ means membership of a partnership or a joint
venture which is not a partnership, or membership or directorship of a corporate body;
‘‘multi-disciplinary practice’’ means a body corporate or partnership:—
(a) having as one of its directors, or as the case may be, partners,
a solicitor or an incorporated practice; and
(b) which offers services, including professional services, such as
are provided by individual solicitors, to the public; and
(c) where a solicitor or incorporated practice carries out, or
supervises the carrying out, or makes provision of legal
services;
‘‘the Society’’ means the Law Society of Scotland;
‘‘solicitor’’ means any person enrolled as a solicitor in pursuance of the Act, and includes a firm of solicitors or incorporated practice and any association of solicitors.

(2) The Interpretation Act 1978 applies to these rules as it applies to an Act of Parliament.

3. Rule 3 of the Solicitors (Scotland) Practice Rules 1964 is hereby repealed.

4. A solicitor shall not form a legal relationship with a person or body who is not a solicitor with a view to their jointly offering professional services as a multi-disciplinary practice to any person or body.

5. The Council shall have power to waive any of the provisions of these rules in any particular case or cases.

6. Breach of these rules may be treated as professional misconduct for the purposes of Part IV of the Act (Complaints and Disciplinary Proceedings).

Mdp