Most legal work can be done by anyone, but a small set of activities is restricted by law to people who are authorised or exempt. Doing this work without the right authorisation is a criminal offence — so knowing where the line falls is part of the daily reality of practice. Whether you are issuing proceedings, preparing a transfer of land, or obtaining a grant of probate, you need to be sure you are allowed to do it.
This lesson walks you through the whole picture:
- The Concept and Scope of Reserved Activities — what 'reserved' means and the six categories of restricted work.
- Who May Carry On a Reserved Activity — authorised persons, approved regulators, and the limits of any authorisation.
- Exemptions — who may do reserved work without their own authorisation, including litigants in person.
- The Section 14 Offence and Its Effects — the elements of the offence, the penalties, who can be prosecuted, and what happens to fees.
- Key Distinctions — the fine lines, such as wills versus probate, contracts versus transfers, and courts versus tribunals.
- Alternative Business Structures — how firms with non-lawyer owners can lawfully carry on reserved work.
By the end you will be able to spot reserved work and judge confidently whether it can lawfully be carried on.