44Grant or renewal of unrestricted or restricted practising

44 Grant or renewal of unrestricted or restricted practising (1) The law society council must consider an application that has been made for the grant or renewal of an unrestricted practising certificate or restricted practising certificate, and may— (a) grant or renew the practising certificate; or (b) refuse to grant or renew the practising certificate. Note When granting or renewing a local practising certificate, the law society council may impose conditions on the certificate under s 47. (2) However, the law society council— (a) need not consider an application for grant or renewal of an unrestricted practising certificate or restricted practising certificate if— (i) the application has not been made in accordance with this Act; or (ii) the required fees have not been paid; and (b) may refuse to grant or renew the practising certificate if the applicant has not complied with the criteria prescribed by regulation and the legal profession rules for the grant or renewal. (3) The law society council must not grant an unrestricted practising certificate or restricted practising certificate unless satisfied that the (a) was eligible to apply for the grant when the application was (b) is a fit and proper person to hold the certificate. (4) The law society council must not renew an unrestricted practising certificate or restricted practising certificate if satisfied that the (a) was not eligible to apply for the renewal when the application was made; or (b) is not a fit and proper person to continue to hold the certificate. (5) The law society council must not grant or renew an unrestricted practising certificate or restricted practising certificate if— (a) it considers the applicant’s circumstances have changed since the application was made; and (b) the applicant would (having regard to information that has come to the law society council’s attention) not have been eligible to make the application when the application is being considered. (6) This section does not affect any other provision of this Act that provides for the refusal to grant or renew an unrestricted practising certificate or restricted practising certificate. Note 1 The law society council must not grant or renew a practising certificate for an insurable legal practitioner unless satisfied that the practitioner will be covered by an approved indemnity insurance policy (see s 311). Note 2 See also s 62 (Refusal to grant or renew unrestricted or restricted practising certificate—failure to show cause etc). (7) If the law society council grants or renews an unrestricted practising certificate or restricted practising certificate, the law society council must give the applicant— (a) for the grant of a certificate—the practising certificate granted; or (b) for the renewal of a certificate—the new practising certificate. (8) If the law society council refuses to grant or renew an unrestricted practising certificate or restricted practising certificate, the law society council must give the applicant an information notice.