Barristers qualified in Ireland becoming a solicitor
Barristers can transfer to become solicitors without the necessity of undergoing the full training programme prescribed for trainee solicitors - per Section 51 of the Solicitors (Amendment) Act, 1994.
Who is eligible to apply?
A person who has been called to the Bar of Ireland and for a minimum of three years has:
- practised as a barrister in the State
- been a member of the Judiciary
- been employed in the provision of services of a legal nature and/or
- been employed by the State in the provision of services of a legal nature
What is required of the applicant?
1. Application: Applicants should submit the following to the Law School:
- A certificate of being in good standing while practising from two of the benchers of the Honorable Society of King's Inns confirming the period of practice.
- A certificate from the Registrar of the Kings Inns confirming that the applicant passed the Barrister at Law degree, certifying the results of that degree, that the applicant passed or was exempted from an Irish examination and the date they were called to the Bar.
- An up-to-date CV setting out either the history of their work at the Bar and/or as a member of the Judiciary and/or the history of their employment.
- In the case of a term of employment, a reference from the applicant’s employer confirming the period that the applicant has been engaged under a contract of employment full time in the provision of services of a legal nature and the nature of the work done. A character reference should be furnished from a solicitor outside the applicant’s firm which should verify the applicant’s work.
- Certified copies of academic qualifications (i.e. Law Degree if obtained, listing subjects and results). Note: this should be on the letterhead of the issuing authority and signed/stamped.
- Confirmation from the Kings Inns that the applicant has been voluntarily disbarred. (Note: the applicant may elect to hold off arranging to be disbarred until just before applying to go on the Roll of Solicitors in which case this confirmation may be submitted at that stage.)
- Details of the office of a practising solicitor where the applicant intends to complete any in-office period.
- If applying for an exemption from the 6 months in-office experience, confirmation from the applicant of the basis of the application and if relevant, confirmation from the applicant’s firm of any period worked, the experience obtained and whether the work done was equivalent to that of a solicitor.
- Application fee of €75 (cheques to be made payable to Law Society of Ireland).
2. Interview: On receipt of the above documentation, the applicant may be called for interview by representatives of the Law School.
3. Education Committee: The application will then be referred to the Education Committee for a decision on whether the applicant is eligible to be admitted to the Roll of Solicitors and what conditions if any may apply.
Note: The Education Committee meets approximately 10 times annually.
4. Essentials of Legal Practice course (ELPC)
All applicants are required to attend the next Essentials of Legal Practice course (ELPC). The deadline for receipt of applications for the 2012 Essentials Legal Practice Course is 15th June, 2012.
This course runs annually in July/August. The 2012 ELPC will run between Monday, 13th August and Friday, 31st August, 2012 inclusive (weekdays only) – these dates are subject to change. The ELPC covers Professional Conduct, Solicitors’ Accounts, Probate and Taxation and Conveyancing. Attendance at all modules is compulsory. There is no examination. The fee for the 2012 ELPC is €2,825.
5. Six Months in-office period
Applicants may be obliged to spend up to a maximum of six months in the office of a practising solicitor, for the purpose of receiving due instruction and obtaining experience in the practice and profession of a solicitor. This six month requirement may, in exceptional circumstances, be waived/modified - this is a matter for the interviewing panel and the Education Committee.
On completion of any in-office period, the applicant will be required to submit a letter from the practice confirming the period worked, whether it was full-time, the experience obtained and whether the work done was equivalent to that of a solicitor.
6. Application to be Admitted to the Roll
On completion of the ELPC, the in-office period and on satisfaction of any other conditions outlined by the Education Committee, the applicant may apply to be admitted to the Roll of Solicitors.
Further Information
Further details may be obtained from the Law School, Law Society of Ireland, Blackhall Place, Dublin 7.
Tel: 01672 4802
Fax: 01 672 4992
Email: bltransfer@lawsociety.ie