UK graduates can qualify as a solciitor in Ireland either without qualifying as a solicitor in the UK, by going through the stages below, or after qualifying in the UK, by filing a Certificate of Admission for direct admission.
This article discusses both methods of qualification.
We would like to thank the Law Society of Ireland for their help in reviewing this article.
Qualifying in Ireland before qualifying in the UK consists of the following stages:
1. The Preliminary Examination
2. The First Irish Examination
3. Final Examination (part 1)
4. Training contract
5. Professional Practice Courses and Second Irish Examination
The Preliminary Examination
The preliminary examination tests a person's knowledge of English, Irish Government and Politics, and General Knowledge. UK graduates are exempt from this exam regardless of their degree discipline.
The First Irish Examination
This tests a person's knowledge of the Irish language and must be taken by all students.
Final Examination
This is similar in many ways to the English Graduate Diploma in Law. It tests the following subjects:
(i) European Union Law,
(ii) Equity,
(iii) Constitution Law,
(iv) Company Law,
(v) Criminal Law, Law of Contract,
(vi) Law of Tort,
(vii) Real Property.
Candidates must have passed all of these subjects before commencing their training contracts.
Training Contract
This is similar to the English training contract, but covers a wider range of areas must be covered during the two years of training. Unlike England, a training contract must already be secured before a graduate can attend the professional training course (see below).
Professional Practice Courses and Second Irish Examination
These are split into one course of seven months and one of three months. The first course is a practical course, which in some ways can be compared to the English LPC. It comprises of the following:
(i) Applied Land Law,
(ii) Probate and Tax,
(iii) A Private Client
(iv) Business Law,
(v) Litigation (Civil and Criminal).
(vii) Various skills.
The second course studies various areas of the law in more depth and also focuses on management skills, professional conduct and solicitors' accounts.
Finally, the Second Irish Examination, which is another examination of the Irish language will be taken.
Certificate of Admission
A Certificate of Admission can be filed by those who are already qualified solicitors in England & Wales. The following is an extract from the Law Society of Ireland's website, which explains this further:
"Certificate of Admission - who should submit this form
This form is for use by the following qualified lawyers who wish to apply to go on the Roll of Solicitors in the Republic of Ireland:
i. A person whose first place of qualification as a solicitor is England and Wales
ii. A person whose first place of qualification as a solicitor is Northern Ireland
iii. A person whose subsequent place of qualification as a solicitor is England and Wales and has three years post qualification experience in England and Wales
iv. A person whose subsequent place of qualification as a solicitor is Northern Ireland and has three years post qualification experience in Northern Ireland
1. If you were formerly called to the bar, you must have three years post-qualification experience in England and Wales to avail of the direct reciprocity ruling
2. If you were formerly called to the bar, you must have three years post-qualification experience in Northern Ireland to avail of the direct reciprocity ruling"
If you have any questions regarding qualification, please contact the Irish Law Society on:
Law Society of Ireland,
Blackhall Place, Dublin 7, Ireland.
Tel: +353 1 672 4800
Fax: +353 1 672 4801
email: general@lawsociety.ie(general enquiries)
www: www.lawsociety.ie
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