The following page outlines the procedure for applying for Admission to the Roll of Solicitors in Northern Ireland for Solicitors whose first place of admission was Scotland.

Application

In order to apply for admission under this route you must complete and submit application form EF7. This document is available for download below.

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 the solicitor has been admitted stating that the applicant is a fit and proper person to practice as a solicitor in Northern Ireland;
  • a certified copy of the applicant's original Admission Certificate from any and all jurisdictions in which the solicitor has been admitted;
  • a description of the applicant's experience since admission, in chronological order
    two character references, the referees must be solicitors or members of the applicant's professional body of
  • at least five years standing. If the applicant is currently in employment one of the referees must be from his/her current firm.

Fees

The following fees apply for Scottish solicitors seeking admission to the Roll in Northern Ireland:

  • Application and admission fee: £150.00
  • Indentures Registration Fee: £187.50

Payment should be made via bank transfer. We no longer accept payment via cheque. The bank details are available on Section 8 of the application form.

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.

Please note: all newly admitted solicitors are subject to three year's restriction from practice on their own account i.e. as principals or sole practitioners. In certain circumstances the Society may grant a waiver of this restriction.

Submission

Upon submission your application and supplementary papers are reviewed by the Society's Admissions team. If all papers are in order then the application is submitted to the Education Committee for consideration.

Solicitors from Scotland are usually required to complete the following:

(i) The following courses at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies in Belfast:

  • Private Client: Wills Course
  • Property Law and Practice: Part 1 & 2

(ii) a 6-month apprenticeship with a firm of solicitors in Northern Ireland. This will require the lodgement of Indentures and payment of the subsequent fee (as noted above).

At the discretion of the Education Committee, the apprenticeship and course completion may run concurrently. You must outline your request for this in a covering letter.

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.