Trainee solicitors who have recently completed the 2019 PPC I may apply to the Law Society Education Committee for permission to proceed to PPC II, even if they have not completed 11 months in-office training.

This concession has been granted since 2019 PPC I trainee solicitors have been working remotely, due to COVID-19.

Some trainees have not returned to their offices and have not completed the 11-month in-office training period.

This is required as an eligibility criterion for registration for PPC II, under Regulation 19 of The Solicitors Acts 1954 to 1994 (Apprenticeship and Education) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 546 of 2001) in time to allow them to apply to attend the 2021 PPC II.

In-office training

The in-office training period commences 14 days after the last examination on PPC I and ends in April of the following year to allow for attendance on the Professional Practice Course II (PPC II).

The Education Committee has agreed that a trainee solicitor who has not completed 11 months in-office training may apply to the Committee for admission to the PPC II provided that the training solicitor certifies that the reason for non-attendance at the office was entirely COVID-19 related.

This principle will be applied on a case-by-case basis.