Qualified Reciprocal Solicitor (QRS)

Background and Guidance

This page outlines the procedure of applying for admission to the Roll of Solicitors in Northern Ireland ("the Roll") for a Qualified Reciprocal Solicitor (“QRS”).

A QRS is an individual who has been admitted as a solicitor in a reciprocal jurisdiction, being:

• England and Wales; and/or
• Republic of Ireland

You should refer to the Admission Handbook: Qualified Reciprocal Solicitor, as available for download above, for extensive details on the application process and requirements.

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

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

Application and Supporting Evidence

In order to apply for admission under this route you must complete the following:

• Online application form, with supporting evidence uploaded (link available below)
• Submit Character and Fitness Declaration Form (link provided upon application)
• Supply a Basic Access NI certificate (dated within 3 months of application)
• Arrange for the provision of two supporting references
• Pay or arrange for the payment of the application fee

You are required to submit a number of pieces of supporting evidence, as follows:

• Certificate/s of Good Standing:
  You should upload a certificate of good standing from all jurisdictions in which you have ever been admitted as a regulated legal professional dated within 3 months of your application;
   
• Certified Certificate of Admission:
  You should upload a certified copy of your original Admission Certificate from all jurisdictions in which you have ever been admitted as a regulated legal professional. This should be certified by a solicitor from the UK or Ireland;
   
• Chronological Work History Document:
  You should supply a detailed chronological work history document to outline your work experience since admission. Please refer to the Handbook for details on what exactly is required.
   
• Two References:
  Upon submission of your application form, your referees will receive a link to the reference portal. Your referees must be solicitors within Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland or England and Wales of at least five years standing. They must not be related to you by birth or marriage and must have known you for a minimum of two years.
   

This is a brief overview of the supporting evidence required - please download and refer to the Admission Handbook for full details on the evidence and documentation required.

Fees

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

Payment is made via credit/debit card online. A link to the payment form will be supplied upon submission of your online application form. Please note, 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.

Turnaround Time

You should allow at least two months for your application to be processed and any subsequent admission to the Roll. This is on the basis of a complete application, with all necessary components submitted to the Society e.g. Access NI, references etc.

We are unable to expedite or prioritise any applications for admission and as such they are processed in the order in which they are received and once all necessary evidence has been provided.

Any declarations or additional matters raised as part of your application which require consideration by the Society’s Education Committee and/or Council may result in your admission taking longer to confirm.