What's required

To provide legal services in Ireland, you must:

• hold a valid practising certificate. This is a statutory requirement; and
• have professional indemnity insurance

Employed solicitors

If you are an employed solicitor in a firm, it is your sole responsibility to ensure that you have a valid practising certificate. The Law Society recommends that all employers should pay for the practising certificate of solicitors employed by them.

• Learn more about your Practising Certificate 

Opening a new firm

To commence practising on your own behalf you must;

• hold a valid practising certificate;

• have professional indemnity insurance from a qualified insurer. For lists of insurers and brokers, along with other information and PII updates, see PII;

• complete and return the commencement in practice form;

• ensure that your insurer or broker confirms your PII cover;

• provide the Law Society with a reporting accountant's report (hyperlink to section 6) no later than five months after your accounting date in each practice year, or within such further period as the Society may in writing permit and

• provide the Law Society with a copy of your headed notepaper, which should be in accordance with the Solicitors (Practice, Conduct and Discipline) Regulations (S.I 178 of 1996).

Resources for opening a new firm

The Law Society offers a range of resources and supports to help you starting your firm.

Information booklets

• Guidance and Ethics Committee Setting up in practice booklet
• Information on solicitors setting up in practice 

Setting up in Practice advisory service

A service has been developed aimed at new solicitors’ firms. This service is subsidised by the Law Society, with the cost to a member being €150. Upon receipt of a completed Commencement in Practice Form, the Law Society writes directly to new firms to inform them about this service and how they can avail of it.

For more information, please call: 01 879 8700 or email firms@lawsociety.ie.