Where subsection (2) applies it is an offence for a person ("P") to carry on an activity ("the relevant activity") which is a reserved legal activity, despite P being entitled to carry on the relevant activity.
This subsection applies if—
If P is a body, references in subsection (2) to an employee of P include references to a manager of P.
In proceedings for an offence under subsection (1), it is a defence for the accused to show that the accused took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid committing the offence.
A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable—
A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (1) by reason of an act done in the purported exercise of a right of audience, or a right to conduct litigation, in relation to any proceedings or contemplated proceedings is also guilty of contempt of the court concerned and may be punished accordingly.
In relation to an offence under subsection (1) committed before 2 May 2022, the reference in subsection (5)(a) to the general limit in a magistrates' court is to be read as a reference to 6 months.