The following page outlines the procedure for applying for admission to the Roll of Solicitors in Northern Ireland ("the Roll") for England and Wales qualified solicitors.

Application

In order to apply for admission under this route you must complete and submit application form EF5. Please refer to the guidance document EG1 for details on how to complete the form correctly. Both of these documents are available for download below.

Please note, this route is only available to individuals who have been formally admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales and so may avail of reciprocal arrangements. Those who hold registered foreign lawyer (RFL) status with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) are not permitted direct entry to the Roll and should review the process for foreign qualified lawyers.

The application form contains a number of declarations regarding criminal convictions, insolvency and professional misconduct. If you are unable to make any of these declarations you should provide full details in a covering letter.

The Society's Character and Fitness Policy is accessible by clicking here.

Supporting Documents

You are required to submit a number of supplementary evidence documents and information alongside your application form, details of which are as follows:

  • a Certificate of Good Standing from any and all jurisdictions in which you have been admitted, stating that you are a fit and proper person to practice as a solicitor in Northern Ireland;
  • a certified copy of your original Admission Certificate from any and all jurisdictions in which you have been admitted;
  • a description of your work experience since admission, in chronological order
  • two character references, the referees must be solicitors within your professional body or Northern Ireland of at least five years standing. If you are currently in employment one of the referees must be from your current firm.

Fees

The application and admission fee for this route is £150.

Payment may be made via bank transfer. We no longer accept payment via cheque. Bank details are outlined on the guidance document.

We are unable to issue invoices for this fee.

Upon successful admission to the Roll of Solicitors you may be required to hold a Practicing Certificate (PC) and Personal Indemnity Insurance (PII), each of which require a fee to be paid to the Society. This will depend on your employment circumstances. 

If you are in any doubt or have any questions regarding your permissibility to hold a PC or PII, please contact the Society at PractisingCertificate@lawsoc-ni.org.

Restrictions on Practice

All solicitors who are admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in Northern Ireland are required to serve a three-year period of restricted practice (three full Practising Certificates) under Reg 7(1) of the Solicitors Practice Regulations 1987 (as amended). This applies whether the individual trained in Northern Ireland or transferred from another jurisdiction. 

During this period of restricted practice, a solicitor shall not engage in practice on his/her own account, whether in partnership or otherwise, and shall act as a solicitor only under the supervision of another solicitor who has held a practising certificate for the previous three years.

A solicitor may apply for a waiver of the period of restricted practice, as per Reg. 7(2)(a) of the said Regulations. This waiver request cannot be lodged pre-emptively and so can only be submitted after the individual has been admitted to the Roll.

Submission

The application and all accompanying supporting documentation should be emailed to admissions@lawsoc-ni.org.

Please allow at least three months for your application to be processed and any subsequent admission to the Roll.