166Costs of external investigation

166 Costs of external investigation

166 Costs of external investigation

(1) This section applies if—

(a) an investigator states in his or her report of an external investigation that there is evidence that a contravention of this Law has been committed or evidence that a default (within the meaning of Part 4.5) has occurred in relation to the law practice whose affairs are under investigation; and

(b) the designated local regulatory authority is satisfied that the contravention or default is wilful or of a substantial nature.

(2) The designated local regulatory authority may recover the amount (as determined by the designated local regulatory authority) of all or part of the costs of the external investigation as a debt payable to it by the law practice.

(3) The amount of the costs must be reasonable, and is subject to any appeal or review mechanism provided in applicable jurisdictional legislation.