Where—
(a) a solicitor has been convicted of–
(i) an offence involving dishonesty or deception; or
(ii) an indictable offence; and
(b) the Society has made an application to the Tribunal under section 47 with respect to him,
the Society may direct that any practising certificate ... of his which is for the time being in force be suspended.
Any such suspension shall be for such period, not exceeding six months, as the Society shall specify in the direction.
If, before the specified period expires–
(a) the Tribunal determines the Society's application;
(b) the conviction is quashed or set aside; or
(c) the Society withdraws its application to the Tribunal,
the suspension shall cease to have effect.
Where the specified period comes to an end without any of the events mentioned in subsection (3) having occurred, the Society may direct that the suspension be continued for such period, not exceeding six months, as it shall specify in the direction.
A suspension under this section may only be extended once under subsection (4).
Nothing in this section is to be taken as in any way affecting the Tribunal's power to suspend a solicitor from practice ... .
A solicitor in whose case a direction is given under subsection (1) or (4) may appeal to the High Court against the direction within one month of being notified of it.
In an appeal under subsection (7), the High Court may–
(a) affirm the suspension;
(b) direct that the appellant's certificate shall not be suspended but shall have effect subject to such conditions as the High Court thinks fit;
(c) by order revoke the direction; or
(d) make such other order as it thinks fit.
In relation to an appeal under subsection (7) the High Court may make such order as it thinks fit as to payment of costs.
The decision of the High Court on an appeal under subsection (7) shall be final.