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Clause 25: Provisional designation as approved regulators and licensing authorities
117. This provision enables the Lord Chancellor to determine applications by bodies for designation as an approved regulator or a licensing authority in respect of an activity which is a "provisional reserved legal activity", that is, an activity which may become a reserved legal activity in the future.
Clause 26: Recommendations that activities should cease to be reserved legal activities
118. This clause enables the Board to recommend to the Lord Chancellor that an activity should cease to be a reserved legal activity. The applicable procedure is set out in Schedule 6. If the Lord Chancellor agrees with a recommendation by the Board that an activity should cease to be a reserved legal activity, there is no procedure under the Bill to implement such a recommendation and it would be for the Lord Chancellor to pursue this by other means (for example, further primary legislation or, possibly, a regulatory reform order).
PART 4: REGULATION OF APPROVED REGULATORS
119. This Part of the Bill sets out the duties of approved regulators, makes provision to ensure that approved regulators maintain an appropriate separation of their regulatory and representative functions, and confers powers on the Board to ensure that the approved regulators' duties are being carried out appropriately. It details how the Board can intervene when there is a problem, the procedures that it must follow, and the bodies that it must consult before exercising its powers. The Board's powers include target-setting, censure, financial penalties, a power of direction, direct intervention in the approved regulator's regulation of its members, and in extreme cases the removal of a body's authorisation.
Background
120. As already stated in the background section to the Legal Services Board, Sir David Clementi's 2004 independent review of legal services 9 referred to observations that the current regulatory arrangements resembled a "maze" and stated that he agreed with the Government's earlier statement 10 that the existing regulatory system for legal services was "outdated, inflexible, over-complex and not accountable or transparent enough". He proposed that an independent oversight regulator be established to simplify regulation and ensure that the system was clear to consumers. The Government's White Paper, The Future of Legal Services: Putting Consumers First , 11 set out how it was envisaged that this oversight regulator should operate: it should authorise approved regulators to carry out day-to-day regulation, and it would also need to be able to act if these approved regulators failed.
9 Clementi, 2004
10 Department for Constitutional Affairs 2003
11 Department for Constitutional Affairs, 2005
121. The White Paper stated that in most cases, the Board would want to work alongside regulators to help them improve where areas of weakness have been identified. However, where a regulator continued to fail, the Board would be able to remove authorisation in a particular area or areas of regulation, and either identify an alternative regulator, or carry out the regulatory functions itself.
Clause 27: Regulatory and representative functions of approved regulators
122. This clause defines what is meant by the regulatory and representative functions of an approved regulator under the Bill.
Clause 28: Approved regulator's duty to promote the regulatory objectives etc
123. When discharging its regulatory functions, an approved regulator will be under a duty to act in a way that is compatible with the regulatory objectives so far as it is reasonably practicable to do so. In addition, the approved regulator must have regard to principles of best regulatory practice.
Clause 29: Prohibition on the Board interfering with representative functions
124. This clause provides that the Board is not authorised to exercise its functions in relation to any representative function of an approved regulator. However, the Board is authorised to take action for the purpose of ensuring that the exercise of an approved regulator's regulatory functions is not prejudiced by its representative functions, and that decisions are taken independently of each other in relation to the regulatory and the representative functions.
Clause 30: Rules relating to the exercise of regulatory functions
125. This clause requires the Board to make rules setting out requirements to be met by approved regulators for the purpose of ensuring that their regulatory and representative functions are appropriately separated ("internal governance rules"). The rules must include provision which ensures that persons exercising regulatory functions can, independently from any representative functions, make representations to the Board, the Consumer Panel, the OLC and other approved regulators (including notifying the Board if they feel that their independence or effectiveness is being compromised), and that they are appropriately resourced to carry out their functions.
Clause 31: Performance targets and monitoring
126. The Board may set, or direct an approved regulator to set, performance targets relating to the performance of the approved regulator's regulatory functions, as defined in clause 27. For example, where an approved regulator is failing to deal with misconduct cases quickly enough, the Board may set targets in relation to how long consideration of a misconduct case should take. Subsection (2) sets out the thresholds that must be met before the Board can exercise this power.
Clause 32: Directions
Clause 33: Directions: procedure
Clause 34: Enforcement of directions
127. Under clause 32 the Board may use its power of direction where any of the threshold conditions in subsection (1) is satisfied.
128. In such circumstances, the Board may direct the approved regulator in question to take steps to remedy any failure or counter any adverse impact, mitigate its effect, or prevent its recurrence. It must publish any direction that it issues to a regulator.
129. Subsection (3) of clause 32 sets out the scope of a direction. A direction may only require an approved regulator to take steps which it has power to take, and it may require the regulator to take steps with a view to the modification of any part of its regulatory arrangements in order to achieve the desired effect.
130. The Board can monitor compliance with a direction, and it may revoke a direction by giving notice to the regulator, and publishing the notice.
131. Under clause 33, when the Board gives a direction to a regulator to take specific steps, the procedure set out in Schedule 7 will apply. Schedule 7 includes requirements for giving notice to the approved regulator, for consulting with the Lord Chancellor, the OFT, the Consumer Panel and the Lord Chief Justice, and for making representations.
132. Under clause 34, where an approved regulator has failed to comply with a direction, the Board may make an application to the High Court. Upon such an application, if the High Court agrees that the approved regulator has failed to comply with the direction, it may make an order requiring the approved regulator to take such steps as it considers appropriate in order to ensure that direction is complied with.
Clause 35: Public censure
Clause 36: Public censure: procedure
133. Clause 35 sets out the threshold conditions which must be met before the Board can exercise this power. Clause 36 sets out the procedure that must be complied with before a statement of censure can be issued, and requires the Board to give prior notice of the terms of the proposed statement and other matters, and to consider any representations which are duly made before publishing the statement.
Clause 37: Financial penaltie
Clause 38: Financial penalties: procedure
134. Clause 37(1) sets out the threshold conditions that must be met before the Board can exercise its power to impose financial penalties. The Board is required to make rules by statutory instrument (subject to the negative resolution procedure - see clause 207(6)), prescribing the maximum amount of the penalty that may be imposed and the Lord Chancellor's consent to these rules is required. Clause 38 sets out the procedure that applies to the imposition of financial penalties.
Clause 39: Appeals against financial penalties
135. This clause makes provision for an approved regulator to appeal against a financial penalty on the grounds set out at subsection (2):
- that the penalty was not within the power of the Board;
- that the amount of the penalty is unreasonable;
- that the Board has not complied with the applicable procedure; or
- that it was unreasonable for the Board to require that the penalty be paid within the specified time.
136. The appeal is by way of application to the High Court (to be made within three months of notification of the decision appealed against) the High Court can quash the penalty, substitute a different amount or, where the penalty is payable by instalments, vary the time by which the penalty must be paid (subsection (3)), and may make an order as to interest on any substituted penalty (subsections (4) and (6)).
Clause 40: Recovery of financial penalties
137. Where an approved regulator has not paid a financial penalty, the Board has the power to recover the penalty, and any interest, as a debt payable to the Board (subsections (3) and (4)). If all or part of a penalty is not paid by the time specified, the unpaid balance carries interest (subsection (1)). Where an appeal is made by an approved regulator against a financial penalty, the penalty does not have to be paid until the appeal has been determined or withdrawn.
Clause 41: Intervention directions
138. This clause defines an intervention direction, and provides for the scope of such directions and the conditions under which the Board can impose such directions on an approved regulator in relation to its regulatory functions. An intervention direction (subsection (2)) is a direction that the Board, or the Board's nominee, will exercise one or more of the approved regulator's regulatory functions. Where the Board exercises its powers under an intervention direction, it will be able to nominate a person or persons to carry out the regulatory function. The Board may also require the approved regulator to comply with any instructions set by the Board or the nominated person.
139. Subsection (1) sets out the threshold conditions which must be met before the Board can issue an intervention direction, which mirror those in clause 31. Subsection (3) additionally provides that the Board must not give an intervention direction unless it is satisfied that the approved regulator's act or omission cannot be adequately addressed by the exercise of the powers available under clauses 31 to 40.
140. Subsection (4) refers to Part 1 of Schedule 8, which sets out the procedure for giving an intervention direction. This includes procedures for giving notice to the approved regulator, for consulting with the Lord Chancellor, the OFT, the Consumer Panel and the Lord Chief Justice, and for making representations.
Clause 42: Intervention directions: further provision
141. Where an intervention direction has been made and is in effect in relation to a function of an approved regulator, the approved regulator must give the Board, or a person nominated by the Board, all such assistance as it is reasonably able to give, to allow the Board, or nominated person, to pursue the direction through the exercise of the function to which the direction relates. Under subsection (3), the Board, a person nominated by the Board or any such person's appointee may apply to certain specified judges for a warrant authorising them to enter and search the approved regulator's premises and to seize the records it finds. Subsection (6) requires the Lord Chancellor to make regulations prescribing the criteria that judges will apply when deciding whether to issue a warrant.
Clause 43: Intervention directions: enforcement
142. This clause makes provision for the enforcement of intervention directions by way of application to the High Court.
Clause 44: Revocation of intervention directions
143. Subsection (1) provides that an intervention direction has effect until such time as it is revoked by the Board. Subsection (2) refers to Part 2 of Schedule 8, which contains the procedure for revocation of an intervention direction. This includes procedures for giving notice to the approved regulator, for consulting with the Lord Chancellor, the OFT, the Consumer Panel and the Lord Chief Justice, and for making representations.
144. Paragraph 13 of the Schedule provides that where an intervention direction has effect in respect of a regulatory function of an approved regulator, the regulator can apply to the Board for the Board to revoke the direction, or the Board can give notice to the regulator that it intends to revoke the direction.
Clause 45: Cancellation of designation as approved regulator
145. The Lord Chancellor may, by making an order, cancel a body's designation as an approved regulator in relation to one or more of the reserved legal activities for which it is designated (subsections (1) and (2)). But the Lord Chancellor may act only on the recommendation of the Board.
146. Under subsection (3), if a body applies to the Board to have its designation as an approved regulator cancelled, and the Board is satisfied that the rules that it has set for this process have been met, then the Board must make such a recommendation to the Lord Chancellor. The intention of the provision under subsection (3)(b) is that the fees cover reasonable costs of applications.
147. The Board may also recommend that a cancellation order be made if it is satisfied that the conditions listed in subsection (5) have been met and that the matter cannot be adequately addressed by the Board exercising its powers under clauses 31 to 43. The Board must specify the reasons for suggesting cancellation when making its recommendation.
148. Schedule 9, introduced by this clause, applies where the Board considers that it may be appropriate for it to make a recommendation under subsection (5). It requires the Board to notify the body of the proposed recommendation, and to seek advice in respect of the recommendation. This Schedule sets out the procedures for giving notice to the approved regulator, for consulting with the OFT, the Consumer Panel and the Lord Chief Justice, and for making representations.
Clause 46: Cancellation of a designation: further provision
Clause 47: The Board's power to recommend orders made under section 45
149. Clause 46 allows the Lord Chancellor to make transfer arrangements by order when a body has its designation in relation to one or more reserved legal activities cancelled. The Lord Chancellor may make such an order only on the recommendation of the Board, and only in substantially the same form as recommended by the Board (subsection (7)). Clause 47 sets out the procedure that the Board must follow when making a recommendation for the cancellation of an approved regulator's designation. This procedure requires the publication of a draft recommendation and order, and that the Board take account of any representations made. It also provides for re-publication of the recommendation and order, if the Board makes any amendments which it considers material after the initial publication.
150. The purpose of clause 46 is to minimise disruption to the regulation of authorised persons following the cancellation of an approved regulator's designation. It allows for regulatory responsibility for the authorised persons concerned to be transferred to another approved regulator (assuming that the regulator in question consents to assuming such responsibility) or, where no suitable alternative approved regulator has been identified to the Board, in its capacity as an approved regulator.
151. Where such a transfer takes place, the relevant regulated persons will be subject to the regulatory arrangements of the new regulator, or the Board, as appropriate.
152. Clause 47 also allows money raised from practising fees and held by the old regulator (or a part of the money so held) to be paid to the new regulator and treated in the same way as if the money had been raised by the new regulator by way of practising fees.
Clause 48: Cancellation of designation: powers of entry etc.
153. This clause applies where an approved regulator has had its designation removed. The old regulator must give reasonable assistance to the new regulator and Board for the continuation of regulation.
154. A person appointed by the Board to act on its behalf may apply to a judge of the High Court, a circuit judge or justice of the peace for a warrant authorising that person to enter and search the premises of the old regulator, and to take possession of written or electronic documents found there. The person may take copies of records found on a search, and the Board must make rules as to the persons it may appoint for these purposes.
155. A warrant may not be issued unless it is necessary or desirable for the purpose of continuing regulation. The Lord Chancellor must make regulations specifying any further matters that the judge or justice of the peace must be satisfied of or have regard to before issuing a warrant, and regulating the exercise of a power conferred by the warrant. The regulations must be made in accordance with a recommendation of, or following consultation with, the Board. The regulations must in particular make provision as to the circumstances in which documents may be copied or must be returned.
Clause 49: The Board's policy statements
Clause 50: Policy statements: procedure
156. Clause 49 requires the Board to prepare and issue a policy statement concerning its functions under clauses 31, 32, 35, 37, 41, 45 and 76. The Board may also issue a statement of policy with respect to any other matter, where it considers it appropriate. Any statement made must deal with the way regulation is carried out by the approved regulators and the Board. Any policy statement may be amended or replaced from time to time, and the Board must publish the new or amended statement. The Board must have regard to any relevant policy statement in exercising, or deciding whether to exercise, any of its functions (see subsection (7)).
157. Before the Board issues a policy statement, it must publish the proposed statement in draft, and allow representations to be made about it. Clause 50 outlines the procedure for making policy statements.
Clause 51: Control of practising fees charged by approved regulators
158. This clause requires the Board to make rules setting out the purposes for which practising fees payable under the regulatory arrangements of approved regulators may be applied. These rules must allow for practising fees to be applied for the purposes set out at subsection (4). This provision further provides that a practising fee charged by an approved regulator to the persons it authorises will only be payable if the Board has approved the level of the fee. The Board must also make rules setting out how it will deal with applications for the approval of practising fees.
Clause 52: Regulatory conflict with approved regulators
159. This clause deals with the possibility that conflicts between regulatory arrangements may arise where an approved regulator regulates entities comprising persons authorised by different approved regulators - for example, solicitors and barristers. Regulators of such entities will be required to take steps to prevent conflicts of this type in their rules, as set out at subsection (1). In the event that a conflict does arise between the regulator of the entity, and another approved regulator who authorises persons practising within the entity, the conflict is to be resolved as set out at subsection (4).
Clause 53: Modification of provision made about regulatory conflict
160. To counter any imbalance arising from the outcome of the provision in clause 52(4), clause 53 provides that approved regulators whose members are affected by the rules of another approved regulator may ask that the Board exercise its powers under clause 32 to direct that the approved regulator take steps to address the offending provision in its regulatory arrangements. Subsection (3) requires approved regulators to consider any request from persons authorised by them or a manager or employee of such persons to make such an application to the Board. The Board must consider representations from both regulators, and may consult others as appropriate, before making a decision over whether or not to modify the rules (see subsection (5)).
Clause 54: Regulatory conflict with other regulatory regimes
161. This clause places approved regulators under an obligation to make provision in their regulatory arrangements to prevent and resolve regulatory conflicts with external regulators, as well as to avoid unnecessary duplication of regulation. This applies to approved regulators who regulate entities involving persons regulated by an external, non-legal services regulator, for example, the Financial Services Authority. The Board must provide guidance to approved regulators on dealing with external regulatory conflicts. With the Board's consent, the approved regulator's regulatory arrangements may provide for the Board to act in the resolution of conflicts between the approved regulator and relevant external regulators.
Clause 55: Provision of information to the Board
Clause 56: Enforcement of notices under section 55
162. Clause 55 confers power on the Board to require an approved regulator, by notice, to provide such information or produce such documents in such form, within such period and to such person nominated by the Board, as the Board specifies in the notice. Clause 56 provides for enforcement in the event of an approved regulator failing to comply with such a notice. Enforcement is by way of application to the High Court for an order requiring the approved regulator to comply with the original notice that was issued by the Board.
Clause 57: Reports by the OFT
Clause 58: The Board's response to OFT report
Clause 59: Referral of report by the Lord Chancellor to the Competition Commission
Clause 60: Duties of the Competition Commission
Clause 61: Lord Chancellor's power to give directions
163. These clauses make provision conferring investigation powers and duties on the OFT and the Competition Commission in respect of regulatory arrangements of approved regulators that (have as their effect) prevent, restrict or distort competition within the market for reserved legal services. Under clause 57, the OFT may prepare a report if it believes that an approved regulator's regulatory arrangements (or any part of them) have this effect, or are likely to do so. The clause also sets out the matters which the OFT's report should cover. It further provides that such reports attract absolute privilege for the purposes of the law of defamation.
164. Clause 58 details how the Board should respond to a report from the OFT. It provides that the Board must allow at least 28 days for the approved regulator to make representations to the Board regarding the OFT's report. Clause 58 further allows for the Consumer Panel to give such advice to the Board as it considers appropriate and requires the Board to have regard to any such representations and advice before informing the OFT what action (if any) it proposes to take.
165. Clause 59 and clause 60 provide that, in the event that the OFT believes that the Board has not given the OFT's report full and proper consideration, the OFT may give a copy of the report to the Lord Chancellor, who must, in turn, give a copy of the report to the Competition Commission. The Competition Commission must then investigate the matter and make its own report (unless it judges that this would serve no useful purpose).
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