Renewal applications for firms
Firm renewal forms how to apply
There are different forms to complete depending on the type of
application.
Click on the name of the application form you need for further
information and guidance notes.
Form RF1
bulk application to renew the practising certificates of all
solicitors and registrations of any European and foreign lawyers
in a firm.
Who must apply
- The Solicitors Act 1974 requires practising solicitors to
have a practising certificate.
Subrule 20.02
of the Code of Conduct 2007 sets out what we regard as
"practising", and the guidance to rule 20 discusses
exemptions from the requirement to hold a practising
certificate.
- European lawyers who wish to practise in England and Wales
must register with the SRA as a registered European lawyer
(unless registered with another professional body) as set out
in the
European Communities (Lawyer's Practice) Regulations
2000.
- Foreign lawyers who wish to become managers of a recognised
body must register with the SRA as a registered foreign lawyer
as set out in the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990, section
89 and Schedule 14.
- Foreign lawyer non-managers may also voluntarily register
themselves with the SRA. See
rule 12
of the Code of Conduct for practice in this capacity.
Form RBR
application for annual recognition of a firm.
Who must apply
- Recognised body partnerships
- Recognised body companies
- Recognised body LLPs
as set out in regulation 8 of the
SRA Recognised Bodies Regulations 2009.
Form RSPR
application for annual renewal of approval to practise as a
recognised sole practitioner.
Who must apply
- All solicitor and registered European lawyer recognised
sole practitioners as set out in regulation 8 of the SRA
Practising Regulations 2009.
If you need to complete any of these forms, you must return them
to us by
31 October 2009.