This Order designates the General Council of the Bar as a licensing authority under Part 5 (alternative business structures) of the Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29) (“the Act”) in relation to the exercise of a right of audience, the conduct of litigation, reserved instrument activities, probate activities and the administration of oaths. Part 5 of the Act makes provision about licensing authorities and their functions. The General Council of the Bar is already an approved regulator in relation to these reserved legal activities by virtue of Part 1 of Schedule 4 to the Act. Designation as a licensing authority will allow the General Council of the Bar to license alternative business structures, which are businesses wholly or partly owned or controlled by non-lawyers, to provide legal services, or a mixture of legal and other services, to the public.