Appealing an ABS Body Licensing Decision

The CLC notifies all Applicants of an ABS Body licence determination within 90 days of receiving a complete application. A Body who is dissatisfied with any CLC licensing determination may appeal against the determination.

• Refusal of application for a licence
• Any endorsement or condition imposed on a licence
• Modification of a licence
• Suspension and Revocation of a licence
• Imposition of conditions on or objections to a holding.
• Refusal to designate as Head of Legal Practice, or withdrawal of approval
• Refusal to designate as Head of Finance and Administration, or withdrawal of approval
• Disqualification from some or all of the roles within a Licensed Body, such as Manager and Beneficial Owner

Where an ABS related determination has been made under The Licensed Body (ABS) Licensing Framework the review process is set out in this framework at point 15 of the Review of CLC Determination/Enforcement.

The Review Process

The review is conducted by the Discipline and Appeals Committee, which is more commonly referred to as the Adjudication Panel (AP Rules) and is an independent body. No member of the Adjudication Panel is a member of the CLC Council or an employee of the CLC.

The applicant body may within one month from the date of notification of the CLC’s determination submit a request to the Adjudication Panel for the decision to be reviewed. Wherever possible the applicant making the appeal will be provided with the decision of the Adjudication Panel within 42 days of receipt of the request for the appeal. The Adjudication Panel  reserves the right to extend this to 90 days where needed.

How to Submit an Appeal

Complete and submit a Notice of Appeal to licensing@clc-uk.org . Please ensure that the Appellants (Body or Company) name and licence/authorisation application type is clearly stated in the subject heading of the email.

Download the Notice of Appeal

Appealing a decision made by the Adjudication Panel  

Having been notified of the review determination made by the Adjudication Panel, the applicant body may appeal to the First-Tier Tribunal (FTT), also known as the General Regulatory Council (GRC), under The Legal Services Act 2007 (Appeals from Licensing Authority Decisions) Order 2011/1712.

A body can appeal a review decision made by the Adjudication Panel when it:

• Imposes a fine upon an Alternative Business Structure under section 95 of the Legal Services Act 2007
• Makes a decision which is appealable under the CLC’s licensing rules.

Appeal cases will be dealt with by a tribunal in the General Regulatory Chamber. The tribunal is independent of the CLC, Adjudication Panel and the government and will listen to both sides before it reaches a decision.

You have 28 days to appeal after the Adjudication Panel send you a decision.

How to appeal to the GRC (FTT)

Use the notice of appeal form and guidance leaflet. Clearly say why you want to appeal against the Adjudication Panel’s decision. Include any supporting documents, like the Adjudication Panel’s decision.

Send the form to grc@justice.gov.uk or:

General Regulatory Chamber
HM Courts & Tribunals Service
PO Box 9300
Leicester
LE1 8DJ

Telephone: 0300 123 4504

Tribunal staff can explain how the process works, but they cannot give you legal advice. The tribunal will write to you about the next steps.

Find out more about General Regulatory Chamber hearings and decisions.

You can find detailed rules on how your appeal will be handled in the General Regulatory Chamber procedure rules.