Clause 101 - Official solicitor of Northern Ireland
Courts Bill [Lords]
4:00 pm
Mr Christopher Leslie (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs; Shipley, Labour)
I hope that the hon. Gentleman is holding fast to his seat: I am sympathetic to his amendment. It seeks to allow barristers, as well as solicitors, to be eligible for appointment as Official Solicitors. At present, only solicitors of seven years standing are eligible for that post. The position advocated by the hon. Gentleman is attractive. I see no immediate difficulty with what he is trying to achieve, and it merits further consideration, in particular in Northern Ireland. However, I urge him to withdraw his amendment for two reasons. First, I am advised that there might be drafting issues that we have to get right. Secondly, I want the opportunity to give further consideration to the matter as it applies to Northern Ireland. There is merit in his suggestion, and I hope that we can act on it at a later stage.