Irish law degree in UK

Krmca

Can I work as a solicitor in the UK with an Irish law degree?

Edit: I mean if I study law in Ireland and become a solicitor in Ireland will I be able to work in the UK or is there additional or different courses/training needed to practice there?

Marcusm

You can’t work as a solicitor in the U.K. (or rather England & Wales) with a UK law degree, ie with postgrad legal practice course and professional membership.

4ensic15

Krmca wrote: »

Can I work as a solicitor in the UK with an Irish law degree?

You cant work as a solicitor anywhere with an Irish law degree.

Grolschevik

What they mean is that a law degree isn't sufficient on its own to become a solicitor. There's postgraduate professional training that's necessary.

Krmca

Grolschevik wrote: »

What they mean is that a law degree isn't sufficient on its own to become a solicitor. There's postgraduate professional training that's necessary.

Ah okay thank you but if I become a solicitor in Ireland will I be able to move to the UK and work or will I have to do another course/training over there?

Grolschevik

Krmca wrote: »

Ah okay thank you but if I become a solicitor in Ireland will I be able to move to the UK and work or will I have to do another course/training over there?

Steps to train as a solicitor in Ireland available in detail on www.lawsociety.ie.

Regarding transfer to England and Wales (Scotland is different), I'm not sure. There is a transfer procedure that may involve an exam, but I'm again not sure. Have a look at the websites of the Solicitors Regulation Authority and/or the Law Society of England and Wales.

It's very likely that someone on this forum has been admitted in England, and can give more practical info.

Peregrinus

Foreign-qualified lawyers wishing to practice in England and Wales (Scotland has its own rules) need to requalify through the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme. Basically this requires you to take a series of tests (and there are courses you can take to prepare you for the tests, if you want to). The tests you have to take depend on where your foreign qualification is from - the more similar the legal system. jurisdiction and training of that place is to England and Wales, the more exemptions you get.

Currently, if you're an EU or EEA national and are already qualified as a solicitor or barrister in Ireland, you get sweeping exemptions. The only tests you will have to sit are in land and property law. And, even there, the Irish Law Society offers a course in "English and Welsh Property Law and Practice"; if you have taken and passed that course, then you get a complete exemption from the English testing requirements, and you can requalify in England simply by registering, and paying a fee.

It's possible that these arrangements may be revised after Brexit, if the UK is no longer bound by relevant UK directives. So, if you're not already an Irish solicitor, it could be that by the time you have qualified the rules for requalifying in England and Wales will have changed.

Krmca

Grolschevik wrote: »

Steps to train as a solicitor in Ireland available in detail on www.lawsociety.ie.

Regarding transfer to England and Wales (Scotland is different), I'm not sure. There is a transfer procedure that may involve an exam, but I'm again not sure. Have a look at the websites of the Solicitors Regulation Authority and/or the Law Society of England and Wales.

It's very likely that someone on this forum has been admitted in England, and can give more practical info.

Ahh okay I’ll check out that website, thanks a million!

Krmca

Peregrinus wrote: »

Foreign-qualified lawyers wishing to practice in England and Wales (Scotland has its own rules) need to requalify through the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme. Basically this requires you to take a series of tests (and there are courses you can take to prepare you for the tests, if you want to). The tests you have to take depend on where your foreign qualification is from - the more similar the legal system. jurisdiction and training of that place is to England and Wales, the more exemptions you get.

Currently, if you're an EU or EEA national and are already qualified as a solicitor or barrister in Ireland, you get sweeping exemptions. The only tests you will have to sit are in land and property law. And, even there, the Irish Law Society offers a course in "English and Welsh Property Law and Practice"; if you have taken and passed that course, then you get a complete exemption from the English testing requirements, and you can requalify in England simply by registering, and paying a fee.

It's possible that these arrangements may be revised after Brexit, if the UK is no longer bound by relevant UK directives. So, if you're not already an Irish solicitor, it could be that by the time you have qualified the rules for requalifying in England and Wales will have changed.

Brilliant this was really helpful thank you!!

Mr. Incognito

Hi there

I am admitted in Ireland, England and Wales.

A lot of Irish solicitors are.

You take a UK property module in Blackhall as part of your Irish solicitor training which qualifies you for admission to the roll in the UK

Then you are required to provide garda clearance and pay for a background check in the UK and pay their fees and you go on the roll there.

They also have a big fancy parchment ceremony if you want to attend it. I didnt bother but I was tempted.

Krmca

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

Hi there

I am admitted in Ireland, England and Wales.

A lot of Irish solicitors are.

You take a UK property module in Blackhall as part of your Irish solicitor training which qualifies you for admission to the roll in the UK

Then you are required to provide garda clearance and pay for a background check in the UK and pay their fees and you go on the roll there.

They also have a big fancy parchment ceremony if you want to attend it. I didnt bother but I was tempted.

Hahaha after all the time and money I’ll be putting into this I’ll definitely be looking for a fancy parchment ceremony!

Also wondering did you have to do the QLTS before you were qualified in England and Wales or is that not necessary?

Mr. Incognito

Krmca wrote: »

Hahaha after all the time and money I’ll be putting into this I’ll definitely be looking for a fancy parchment ceremony!

Also wondering did you have to do the QLTS before you were qualified in England and Wales or is that not necessary?

I have no idea what the QLTS is so no.

There is an agreement between the law societies to recognise each others professional qualifications which is why all the UK lawyers are registering here with no issues.