Rights from previous professional status

SRA Higher Rights of Audience Regulations 2011 forms part of Edition 3 of the Handbook, which came into effect on 18 April 2012.

Part 3: Rights from previous professional status

Regulation 5: Qualification gained in a European jurisdiction

5.1

You may apply for a qualification to exercise rights of audience in all proceedings in the higher courts if you are an REL or a lawyer to whom Directive 2005/36 applies.

5.2

Each application will be considered by us on its merits and we may require you to undertake such steps as we may specify in order to gain the qualification.

Regulation 6: Conversion provisions for barristers

6.1

In accordance with paragraph 86 of Schedule 19 of the LSA, a barrister with existing higher rights of audience will automatically be awarded the solicitors' higher rights of audience when applying to the roll.

Guidance note

(i)

You will be required to declare when applying to be admitted to the roll that you were formerly a barrister with higher rights of audience and that you have no disciplinary proceedings in progress against you.

Regulation 7: Conversion provision for RELs

7.1

If you are an REL who is granted a qualification listed in regulation 3.1, you shall keep that qualification upon being admitted as a solicitor.