This route to Becoming a Solicitor applies if you are a Barrister, who qualified in Ireland.

To be eligible for the Essentials of Legal Practice Course (ELPC) route to qualifying as a solicitor you must have been called to the Bar of Ireland and since then, for a minimum of three years, have:

• practised as a barrister in the State,
• served as a member of the Judiciary,
• been employed in the full-time provision of services of a legal nature, and/or
• been employed by the State full-time in the provision of services of a legal nature.

See also Section 43, Solicitors Act 1954 as substituted by s.51 Solicitors (Amendment) Act 1994.

Step 1: Essentials in Legal Practice Course (ELPC)

This is a mandatory course that all Barristers who want to become a solicitor must complete.

• Learn more about the Essentials in Legal Practice Course (ELPC)

Step 2: In-office period

Following the ELPC you may be required to complete up to six months in the office of a practising solicitor before you may be admitted as a solicitor.

• Learn more about the in-office period

Step 3: Admission to the Roll Of Solicitors

Following succesful completion of the the ELPC and your in-office period, you may apply to be admitted as a solicitor.

• Learn more about admission to the Roll of Solicitors

Step 4: Practising Certificate

It is the statutory responsibility of each solicitor to ensure that they have a Practising Certificate (PC) in force before providing legal services of any kind whatsoever. After admission to the Roll of Solicitors, you can apply for your PC.

• Learn more about the Practising Certificate