Clause 91
Legal Services Bill [Lords]
1:15 pm
Bridget Prentice (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Ministry of Justice; Lewisham East, Labour)
The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right about the importance of those two posts under the new structure. As he points out, the head of legal practice must, of course, be a lawyer, so one would assume that they would follow the rules and the code of conduct established by the Law Society.
As for the licence application, it must set out the ABS’s structural arrangements, including the services that it intends to supply. However, it must also set out and identify the nominated holders of both of posts—the head of legal practice and the head of finance and administration. The whole application would then be considered. However, the nominated individuals will remain under consideration and will also be looked at. There are two tests, but they will invariably be made at one sitting, so to speak. Finally, in answer to the hon. Gentleman’s final question, any change in the holder of either of those positions would also have to receive approval.