A practising certificate is a licence to practise a particular profession. In the

legal profession Legal profession is a profession in which legal professionals study, develop and apply law. Usually, there is a requirement for someone choosing a career in law to first pass a bar examination after obtaining a law degree or some other form of l ...

solicitor A solicitor is a lawyer who traditionally deals with most of the legal matters in some jurisdictions. A person must have legally defined qualifications, which vary from one jurisdiction to another, to be described as a solicitor and enabled to p ...

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barrister A barrister is a type of lawyer in common law jurisdiction (area), jurisdictions. Barristers mostly specialise in courtroom advocacy and litigation. Their tasks include arguing cases in courts and tribunals, drafting legal pleadings, jurisprud ...

s may need a current practising certificate before they can offer their services. The authority that administers the practising certificate varies by jurisdiction.

Practising certificates for lawyers by jurisdiction

Australia

In Australia, the authority that issues the practising certificate depends on whether the lawyer is a barrister or solicitor (or in jurisdictions where these roles are fused, both) and the state or territory in which they are practising. In Queensland for example, solicitors' practising certificates are issued by the Queensland Law Society, which also functions as a representative body for solicitors. In the case of barristers, the Queensland Bar Association issues practising certificates.

Fiji

The Fiji Law Society issued practising certificates until 2009, when the government of Frank Bainimarama banned it from doing so. Lawyers' certificates were made to expire seven months early, and each lawyer was required to obtain a new certificate from the Chief Registrar of the High Court. The Law Council of Australia issued a statement, expressing concern that this was part of a move for the government to control Fiji's legal profession to prevent opponents of the military coup of 5 December 2006 from practising law.

Ireland

Solicitors in Ireland are required to have a practicing certificate in order to provide legal advice. Practicing certificates are issued by the Registrar of Solicitors at the Law Society of Ireland and solicitors must reapply annually to receive a certificate valid for one year. It is a criminal offence to practice without a certificate.

United Kingdom

England and Wales

The Solicitors Regulation Authority regulates solicitors and issues their certificates.

References

{{Reflist Professional certification in law