Where any person is called upon to exercise any functions which are conferred by this Part with respect to—
the granting of rights of audience;
the granting of rights to conduct litigation;
the approval or alteration of qualification regulations or rules of conduct; or
the giving of advice with respect to any matter mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c),
it shall be the duty of that person to exercise those functions as soon as is reasonably practicable and consistent with the provisions of this Part.
Where any person other than the Secretary of State is called upon to exercise any such functions, the Secretary of State may require him to do so within such time as the Secretary of State may reasonably specify.
A person exercising any such functions shall act in accordance with the general principle and, subject to that, shall—
so far as it is possible to do so in the circumstances of the case, act to further the statutory objective; and
not act in any way which would be incompatible with the statutory objective.