We collect and pay the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) levy in terms of section 27 of the Legal Profession and Legal Aid Act (Scotland) 2007, on behalf of all solicitors holding practising certificates and conveyancing and executry practitioners.
This fee is usually collected in May and due no later than 30 June in any given year. All members who held a practising certificate at 30 June 2020 are required to pay the levy.
For 2020, due to the current global pandemic, we have reached an agreement with the SLCC , that they will formally defer enforcement of half of the total amount due from us until 1 December 2020. This gives us flexibility in our collection of levy money from our members.
We are offering our members the option of deferring payment of the levy until 31 October 2020. However, we know that some solicitors will prefer to pay the levy before then, and our online service is now open for invoicing and payment.
As a Strategic Partner to the Law Society of Scotland, Braemar Finance who are specialists in providing finance to the legal profession, are available to provide unsecured loan facilities to assist members and firms with this expense and other working capital needs. Please visit their website to submit an enquiry and a member of the team will contact you to progress your loan application. Please note that the minimum loan value is £1,000. Finance is only available to UK residents over 18, subject to status, terms and conditions apply. For more information visit www.braemarfinance.co.uk
The SLCC levies for 2020 are:
Solicitors
- Private practice solicitors +3 years PQE - principals/managers - £492
- Private practice solicitors +3 years PQE - employed - £400
- Solicitors in first 3 years in private practice - £200
- Solicitors not in private practice (including unemployed) - £120
- Solicitors practising outwith Scotland - £130
Conveyancing and executry practitioners
- Private practice - £400
- In-house - £120
This year payment of the levy can be delayed until 31 October 2020 due to the agreement reached with the SLCC. As part of your cashflow strategy you may prefer to pay the levy by 20 June 2020 using our online service as usual.
Unfortunately, we do not have the facilities to manage partial payments. However, this year payment of the levy can be delayed until 31 October 2020 due to the agreement reached with the SLCC. We accept credit card payments and our strategic partners, Braemar Finance, are offering finance options.
As a Strategic Partner to the Law Society of Scotland, Braemar Finance who are specialists in providing finance to the legal profession, are available to provide unsecured loan facilities to assist members and firms with this expense and other working capital needs. Please visit their website to submit an enquiry and a member of the team will contact you to progress your loan application. Please note that the minimum loan value is £1,000. Finance is only available to UK residents over 18, subject to status, terms and conditions apply. For more information visit www.braemarfinance.co.uk.
All payment details are displayed on the levy invoice. BACS payment is the preferred option with a clear reference to identify payments. Card payment (Mastercard, Visa) can be made online or by calling the Registrar team on 0131 476 8367 to arrange payment. We are currently unable to process payments by cheque.
Braemar Finance are also offering finance - see above.
The levy billing covers the period 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021 and anyone holding a practising certificate as at the 30 June 2020 is liable.
The levy is an individual charge and it is the solicitor who is responsible for making payment. If your employer is making payment on your behalf, you should liaise with them to understand when they plan to pay and check they do so on your behalf.
Anyone holding a practising certificate as at the 30 June 2020 is liable.
Please refer to 'What are my payment options? ' above.
The fee is set as at 30 June and whatever your status is at that date will apply. See the table of fees set out above.
If you are satisfied you do not need a Practising Certificate you can surrender it online by logging in and completing the “surrender my PC form”. Please note you will still be liable for the levy if the surrender of your PC is processed after 30 June and it may take four to six weeks to reinstate your Practising Certificate should you need it in the future.
Anyone holding a practising certificate as at the 30 June 2020 is liable. Please refer to 'What are my payment options?' above.
Although we have agreed a time extension with the SLCC, we will have to pay the full balance of members’ liability to the SLCC on 1 December 2020, and therefore we are asking members to pay us by 31 October to allow us that processing time.
We will send out reminders in August and our normal final reminders and outstanding payment recovery under s27 of the 2007 Act will commence in November rather than July, to ensure we have all of the funding in place to pay the final balance due.
Please refer to 'What are my payment options above'.
