The training contract is a binding contract. Applications to move offices and/or change your training solicitor should only arise in exceptional circumstances. However, if your training solicitor consents to the change then, subject to a few small conditions, you can anticipate that your application to change training office / solicitor will be granted by the Law Society. If your training solicitor is not consenting to the move, you can still submit your application but you will need to provide written evidence of the request you made to your training solicitor for such consent.

The application process varies depending on whether or not you have already started your in-office training.

Not started in-office training – Transfer
If you have not started your in-office training and you wish to apply to change your training solicitor, this is called a transfer. Your in-office training period commencesl 14 days after the last exam of the second semester of the PPC. The procedure to transfer your training contract from one solicitor to another is similar to the application process to enter into a training contract. To apply for a transfer you will need to submit the following documents to the Traineeship Section, with a letter of release from your training solicitor.

• Form 1
• Annexe to Form 1
• Form 2A
• Annexe to Form 2A
• Form 2B (for trainees in a firm with a Training Officer)
• Annexe to Form 2B (for trainees in a firm with a Training Officer)

Your training solicitor's letter of release should state that they are prepared to release you from the obligations contained in the training contract. There is no requirement to submit a second fee or to re-submit the evidence in support (e.g. birth certificate).

Once your application to transfer your training contract has been completed, you will be issued with fresh consent to enter into a training contract and you will be given a fresh training contract to complete.

Please note that until the new training contract is fully completed and returned for registration by the Registrar of the Law Society, you will continue to be contracted to your former training solicitor and correspondence will continue to be sent to their office.

Changing training solicitor/ office without consent
Please note that it is a requirement of the training contract that a trainee be at the office of the training solicitor on a “continuous and full-time basis”. Therefore, moving offices without consent represents a breach of the regulations. The time spent at another office without consent will be disregarded when assessing the qualification time. You may be required to complete an extended in-office training period. Application to change training office / solicitor should therefore be made in good time in advance of your proposed change.

The training contract is a binding contract. Applications to move offices and/or change your training solicitor should only arise in exceptional circumstances. However, if your training solicitor consents to the change then, subject to a few small conditions, you can anticipate that your application to change office/ solicitor will be granted by the Law Society. If your training solicitor is not consenting to the move, you can still submit your application but you will need to provide written evidence of the request you made to your training solicitor tfor such consent.

If you have started your in-office training and wish to apply to change training office / solicitor, you must apply for permission to have your Training Contract assigned. Applications that are non-retrospective to a Partner in another solicitor firm are made to the Education Committee of the Law Society.   The application can be submitted by email to the Traineeship Section at TraineeSection@LawSociety.ie. The application should include the following:  

1. A letter setting out the reasons for the proposed assignment and a date for when it is hoped that the assignment will take effect.
2. A letter from your current training solicitor setting out whether they consent to the request.
3. A letter from the proposed training solicitor confirming that they are prepared to have the Training Contract assigned to them and that they accept and agree to be bound by the conditions therein and furthermore the date that the proposed assignment is said to take place.
4. Pay fee of €100 to be paid by EFT:
   Bank of Ireland, College Green, Dublin 2
   Account name: The Law Society of Ireland
   Account number: 16304279
   Branch code: 90-00-17
   IBAN: IE09 BOFI 9000 1716 3042 79
   BIC: BOFIIE2D

Applications that are non-retrospective to a Partner within the same training firm can be sent to the Director of Education for approval. The application requirements listed above remain the same and the fee of €30 will apply for these applications.

A retrospective assignment application will need to be heard at the Education Committee. The application requirements remain the same, however a reason must be given as to why the application was not made at the time of the move. A fee of €365 will apply for these applications.

The Law Society’s Education Committee will examine whether your application is made with good cause and whether or not the application is made with the consent of all parties. If your training solicitor refuses to consent to the proposed assignment, the Committee may consider representations from them together with any representations or submissions that you may choose to make.

Applications must be submitted to the Traineeship Section well in advance of scheduled Committee meeting.

Deadlines for Education Committee meetings

Education Committee Decisions
Decisions on application are sent by email, this usually takes between 1-5 working days following the Committee meeting.

If your application to have your Training Contract assigned is successful, you will be sent the assignment form. The form, which is made up of two parts, Forms 4A/B and 5, has to be completed and returned to the Traineeship Section. Your new training solicitor must complete the part of the form known as Form 4A/B, “Statutory declaration of intended training solicitor as to execution of training contract or Assignment of training contract”. You and your training solicitor must sign and complete Form 5 “Assignment of training contract”. Once both parts of this form have been returned, it will be registered and returned to you for your safekeeping.

Please note: until the Deed of Assignment of Training Contract is fully completed and returned for registration by the Registrar of the Law Society, you will continue to be contracted to your former training solicitor and correspondence will continue to be sent to their office.

Changing training solicitor/ office without consent
Please note that it is a requirement of the training contract that a trainee be at the office of the training solicitor on a “continuous and full-time basis”. Therefore, moving offices without consent represents a breach of the regulations. The time spent at another office without such consent will be disregarded when assessing the qualification time. You may be required to complete an extended in-office training period. Application to change training office / solicitor should therefore be made in good time in advance of your proposed move.

Your in-office training period starts 14 days after the last examination of semester 2 on the PPC.

To make the most of your in-office training experience you should arrange to meet your training solicitor at certain times during the week and use these regular meetings to discuss and explore issues. It is better idea to take a more structured approach when you need guidance.

If there are any points which you do not understand or need explained, talk to colleagues in the practice who will be glad to help you. Don’t be afraid to ask.

Please see Your Employment Rights for useful information around working hours, holidays etc.

Applications to go on secondment require the consent of the Law Society. Before any request to go on secondment is granted, the Law Society will check that the application has the consent of the training solicitor.

Applications for secondments are submitted to the Law Society through the Traineeship Section and require the following –

1. Secondment application form signed by all 3 parties
2. Fee of €365

The application form must give details as to when the secondment is due to start and finish. The reason for the secondment should also be explained. The application can be emailed to TraineeSection@LawSociety.ie.

All letters must give details as to when the secondment is due to start and finish. They should also provide details of how it is hoped to help the applicant and what experience or training they will receive.

Applications must be submitted to the Traineeship Section well in advance of the proposed secondment. Please note that it is a requirement of the Training Contract that you are in the office of your training solicitor on a “continuous and full-time” basis. Therefore, leaving the office without the consent of the Law Society is a breach of the regulations. In addition, until consent is granted you cannot be sure that the move you seek will be approved. A refusal by the Law Society could lead to you not only breaching the Training Contract but also finding that the time spent at another office will be disregarded when assessing the qualification time.  A retrospective secondment application will need to be heard by the Education Committee and the fee of €365. Decisions on these applications are made on a case-by-case basis. 

Once the secondment has been approved a Secondment Consent letter will be emailed to all 3 parties.

When the secondment has come to an end you will be required to submit an additional letter from your secondment supervisor. This letter must provide details of the duration of the secondment and the experience gained. The letter can be emailed to the Traineeship Section TraineeSection@LawSociety.ie.

Securing a secondment
In some cases, your training solicitor will arrange the secondment. This might be because the solicitor wishes to ensure that you receive experience in all the key areas of perhaps because of a long-standing agreement between a firm in Ireland and another firm abroad. Otherwise, finding a secondment is up to you.

The best way to secure a secondment is word-of-mouth. Talking to friends or colleagues about vacancies or opportunities is a good way to start. You can make direct contact with companies or firms, but you should make it clear what you are seeking. Remember that firms can be inundates with students seeking training contracts. Consider placing an advert in the Gazette – the rates are very reasonable, and the advert will reach every solicitor in the country. Firms might have a greater need for a trainee just after the PPC has started, as their trainee may have left them to join the course.