8.   (1) On the establishment day there shall stand established a body to be known, in the English language, as the Legal Services Regulatory Authority or, in the Irish language, as An tÚdarás Rialála Seirbhísí Dlí, to perform the functions conferred on it by or under this Act.

(2) The Authority—

(a) is a body corporate with perpetual succession and a seal, and

(b) may sue, and be sued, in its corporate name.

(3) The Authority may, with the consent of the Minister given with the approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, acquire, hold and dispose of land or an interest in land, and may acquire, hold and dispose of any other property.

(4) The seal of the Authority shall be authenticated by—

(a) the signature of the chief executive or another member of the Authority authorised by the Authority to act in that behalf, and

(b) the signature of a member of the staff of the Authority authorised by the Authority to act in that behalf.

(5) Judicial notice shall be taken of the seal of the Authority and, accordingly, every instrument—

(a) purporting to be an instrument made by the Authority, and

(b) purporting to be sealed with the seal of the Authority authenticated in accordance with subsection (4),

shall be received in evidence and be deemed to be such instrument without further proof, until the contrary is proved.

(6) Any contract or instrument which, if entered into or executed by an individual, would not require to be under seal, may be entered into or executed on behalf of the Authority by any person generally or specially authorised by the Authority to act in that behalf.