CH229200 - How to do a compliance check: information powers: rules that apply to all notices: relevant lawyers
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Before you start along the process of sending an information notice to a relevant lawyer you must follow the guidance at CH910000. Make sure you submit the file, with a brief report on form TAA1, and include a draft schedule of information and documents proposed.
Similarly, follow this guidance and make a report before taking any steps to issue an information notice to a person other than a relevant lawyer for information and documents relevant to the liability of a relevant lawyer. This is not required by the law but has been introduced to avoid inappropriate requests for information which may be covered by the restrictions in FA08/Sch36/Para18-28, see CH22000.
A relevant lawyer is any one of the following:
- a barrister
- a lawyer
- an advocate (that is, a member of the Faculty of Advocates in Scotland)
- a solicitor
- a registered foreign lawyer or a European lawyer
- any other legal representative, communications with whom may be the subject of a claim to professional privilege in accordance with section 190, Legal Services Act 2007 (such as a licensed conveyancer, a trade mark or patents attorney, a legal executive or a law costs draftsman).
A relevant lawyer is not obliged to deliver or make available, without the client's consent, documents which are covered by legal professional privilege, see CH22240.