(a) By sitting and passing the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test**** consisting of five written papers and an oral examination in professional conduct, the five written papers being in-
- Constitutional Law (and at the option of the applicant) either Criminal Law or Company Law,
- Contract and Tort,
- Land Law and Conveyancing,
- Probate and Taxation, and
- Solicitors' Accounts.
(b) Under Article 10(1) of Directive No.98/5/EC, where a registered lawyer shows that he or she has "effectively and regularly" pursued "an activity in the law of the State" for a period of three years;
[In support of such an application, an applicant must furnish to the Society evidence of his/her "effective and regular" pursuit of legal practice for three years, including details of the number of cases dealt with in the State and their nature, together with three written references (addressed to the Law Society of Ireland) from solicitors practising in the State verifying the applicant's range of legal practice activity throughout the three year period. It would be helpful if a registered lawyer, in anticipation of making such an application, at the end of such a three year period, maintained an ongoing log of his/her legal practice activities in the State throughout the three years. On receipt of such an application, the Society may request clarification or more specific details (whether in writing or by personal interview, or both) of the nature of the "effectiveness" and/or "regularity" in such pursuit of legal practice in the State during the relevant three years.]
(c) Under Article 10(3) of Directive No.98/5/EC, where a lawyer from another member state has "effectively" and "regularly" pursued a "professional activity" in the State for a period of three years, even if there is a lesser period of "activity in the law of the State",
[The Society will take into account the "professional activity" undertaken during the three year period and "any knowledge and professional experience (of the applicant) of the law of the State and any attendance (by the applicant) at lectures or seminars on the law of the State, including the rules regarding professional practice and conduct." The Society will require proof of such "professional activity" and/or such "attendance(s)", as well as the number of legal cases dealt with in the State, together with three written references from practising solicitors in the State verifying the applicant's range of legal practice activity during the three year period. It would be helpful if a registered lawyer, in anticipation of making such an application, at the end of such a three year period, maintained an ongoing log of his/her legal practice activities in the State throughout the three years. On receipt of such an application, the Society may request clarification or more specific details (whether in writing or in personal interview, or both) of the nature of such "professional activity" by the applicant in the State during the relevant three year period.]
6. When returning to the Society your completed application form seeking registration as a registered lawyer, please enclose the processing fee which of €300.
7. The fee when returning your completed application form for a qualifying certificate 2011, (calculated as set out on page 4 of the application form) should also be enclosed. Should you have any queries with regard to the foregoing please contact Nicola Kelly, Practice Regulation Administrator, Regulation Department at the Society's premises, Georges Court, George's Lane, Dublin 7.