If you intend to practise as a solicitor in Northern Ireland, you must:
- have been admitted as a solicitor (eg completed your training)
- have your name on the roll (a list of all solicitors of the Court of Judicature in Northern Ireland)
- hold a practising certificate
Practising certificates are issued by the Law Society of Northern Ireland
and you should contact them for an application form.
You must pay a fee in connection with your practising certificate.
Conditions
Conditions may be attached to a practising certificate under certain circumstances (eg where you have been the subject of disciplinary sanctions).
You must renew your registration every year that you intend to practise as a solicitor.
As a solicitor you must comply with rules regarding:
- professional practice, conduct and discipline
- continuing professional development activities
- accounts and trust accounts
- interest on clients’ money
- inspection of practice bank accounts
- requests for accountants reports
- professional indemnity
If you are a European lawyer you can apply to LSNI for initial registration as a registered European lawyer (REL) if you intend to practise as a lawyer in the UK.
Fines and penalties
If you practise as a solicitor without obtaining a practising certificate or an REL without being registered, you may be fined and held in contempt of court.