RF1 notes introduction
Introduction
About the form
You can use the RF1 application to renew the practising certificates of all solicitors and registrations of any European and foreign lawyers within your organisation. All certificates and registrations are due for renewal on 31 October each year.
If you are a solicitor in private practice, please note that section 1A of the Solicitors Act 1974 requires that any solicitor employed in private practice in England and Wales in connection with the provision of any legal services is required to hold a practising certificate.
All references (unless otherwise stated) mean the following:
The amended rules and regulations are published at www.sra.org.uk/tracker.
How to use the form
Please answer all questions and complete all the relevant boxes. You may find it helpful to refer to the glossary at the end of these notes.
The form will be pre-printed with information we currently record about your firm's solicitors, registered European lawyers (RELs) and registered foreign lawyers (RFLs). If any of this information is incorrect, please put a line through it and write your amendment(s) clearly. If you make an error when completing the form please put a line through any deletions. Do not use liquid paper.
If you are providing any additional information in separate sheets or documents, please provide a list of enclosures and mark each document clearly with the section of the form to which it relates.
Please note that we will not be able to process your application until we have received a completed application (with any relevant supporting documentation). This means an application that includes the completed form and appropriate fees.
If a solicitor, REL or RFL has left your organisation, use the additional information box to provide a leaving date and, if possible, a forwarding address.
Throughout these notes, we may refer you to different departments within the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for assistance.
Contact centre - if you need assistance completing te form, or if you have a query about continuing professional development (CPD), please email or call our contact centre.
Professional Ethics - if you are not sure if you need to register or if you are not sure if you need to pay the full fee, contact our Professional Ethics team.