What has the OFT to do with the Multi-Disciplinary Practice Rules of the Law Society of Scotland?
A. The statutory role of the OFT is set down in the Solicitors (Scotland) Act. When any rules that might have the effect of prohibiting a multi-disciplinary practice are made or reviewed, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice must ask the OFT for its advice on the rules. The OFT must respond by giving its advice. Then the Cabinet Secretary must consider the advice and decide whether (even if the OFT has advised against it) the interests of justice require the rule. This has to be done before any new rule can be submitted to the Lord President to be made law.
