Applications by law clerks and legal executives for an exemption from the Preliminary Examination must be made to the Education Committee. To commence your application, email the following information to EducationOfficer@LawSociety.ie.

• A covering letter
• An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (C.V.)
• Evidence of having worked as a Law Clerk or Legal Executive for a minimum of five years
• References from two practising solicitors outlining your work
• An application fee of €115 to be paid by EFT

The focus of your application should be on the extent and depth of your experience as a law clerk or legal executive as supported by the foregoing documents.

Your references should be from senior solicitors for or with whom you work and should set out your experience of supervised legal work in some detail.

Evidence of your period of employment can be provided by your employer(s).

You are free to provide additional documents that you believe will support your application.

Your application will be decided upon by the Education Committee, which meets approximately eight times annually. For details of these meetings, see 'Deadlines' below.

Proof of an exemption from the Preliminary Examination, or evidence of having passed the Preliminary Examination, will be required as part of the overall FE-1 application process. Applications for a Preliminary Examination Exemption should therefore be made well in advance of the FE-1 application deadline.

Applications for exemption from the Preliminary Examination are considered by the Education Committee. Your application and supporting documentation must be submitted in full to the Education Officer by close of business two weeks prior to the date of the next scheduled Education Committee meeting in order to be considered at that meeting.

Education Committee meetings 2025-26

Education Officer

• Email: EducationOfficer@LawSociety.ie
• Tel: 01 672 4802