News releases
Consultation on qualifications for foreign lawyers
26 February 2008
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is asking for further feedback on changes to the system for allowing foreign lawyers to practice as solicitors in England and Wales. Due to a disappointing number of responses and some misunderstandings, the consultation will now run until 14 April.
The Qualified Lawyers Transfer Regulations (QLTR) allow some lawyers who have qualified outside England and Wales and barristers of the English Bar to practise here. Views are being sought on some interim measures before a full review of QLTR takes place.
The SRA is concerned that the transfer system has some significant weaknesses. The SRA needs to ensure that transferred lawyers are as competent to practise as solicitors who qualify through the England and Wales system.
Peter Williamson, SRA chair, said: "The number of transferred lawyers is significant, with about one in five new solicitors qualifying through this route. It is important that we apply appropriate standards to those seeking to transfer in order to provide protection for the public.
"Feedback received to date has revealed some misunderstandings about our proposals, so we have published a more detailed consultation and hope for a wider response."
The SRA is proposing revised guidance in three areas:
- The kind of experience needed for non-EU-qualified lawyers before they can qualify to practise in England and Wales
- The circumstances for exemption from the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test (QLTT) examinations
- A temporary hold on organisations that can set and mark QLTT
"The requirements on transferees are seriously at odds with those qualifying domestically. This will be addressed through the review of the regulations. Some experience of the law of England and Wales is a sensible interim requirement—both to protect clients and to help the solicitor prepare for practise here," said Mr Williamson.
The consultation can be found at www.consultations.sra.org.uk. In the mean time, the current guidance for the QLTR will continue to apply. Consultation responses will be evaluated and considered by the end of April 2008.