Irish re-open door to English and Welsh solicitors

News that English and Welsh solicitors can now requalify in Ireland again without being required to sit any examination under the local Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test was welcomed by the Law Society of England and Wales.

From 22 March they can requalify by simply applying for a certificate of admission with the Law Society of Ireland just as they could prior to the end of the Brexit transition period.

However, only solicitors based in the Republic of Ireland are currently being issued with practising certificates.

Today’s announcement comes after the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) confirmed Irish solicitors will be fully exempt from the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) when the new exam is introduced in September, as well as continuing to be fully exempt from the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme under the current regime.

Law Society of England and Wales president I. Stephanie Boyce said:

“I’m very pleased the close ties with our colleagues in the Republic of Ireland will continue, and would also like to thank the SRA for their support.

“English and Welsh solicitors were for many years able to requalify in Ireland without sitting any exam, but the direct admission route to the Irish profession was based on the framework for the mutual recognition of professional qualifications under the EU directives and therefore expired when the Brexit transition period ended on 31st December 2020.”