UK lawyers seek to join Irish roll after Brexit

Hundreds of UK-based lawyers have enquired about being formally recognised in Ireland in wake of the Brexit vote.

The Law Society of Ireland has said it has been receiving "approximately 30 initial queries per day from UK-based solicitors" about admission to the Irish Roll of Solicitors, the list of all admitted solicitors held by the society.

Amid the ongoing uncertainty since the Brexit result, the increase is seen as an attempt by British lawyers to preserve their right to operate within the EU bloc, as well as in the UK.

Despite the interest, the society said that, following discussions it held with major international law firms, it “does not expect a flood of lawyers” relocating to Ireland.

The society said, in the year up to the date of the Brexit referendum vote, some 186 solicitors based in the North, England and Wales were admitted to the Roll of Solicitors.

But, since the Brexit vote – on June 24th – that figure has risen to 250. The number of newly admitted UK-based solicitors represents less than 2 per cent of the total number of solicitors currently on the roll, it said.

For many years, the process allowing Irish lawyers and their UK peers practise in the respective jurisdictions has been a straightforward process.

Under rules made following an EU Directive in 1989, solicitors who have qualified in England, Wales or the North are permitted to undergo a simple process that, when completed, allows them to practice as solicitors in Ireland. Similarly, solicitors qualified in Ireland can transfer with ease to the rolls of solicitors in the North, England and Wales.

The increase has led to some concerns about the regulation of solicitors based outside of Ireland. But, the society said “it is not a new situation for there to be solicitors on the Irish Roll of Solicitors who practice outside Ireland, including in non-EU countries.”