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Need to backdate your PC?
If you missed the statutory deadline of 1 February 2026, you may need to apply to have your application backdated to 1 January. Your Practising Certificate (PC) will be dated the day of actual receipt by the Registrar of Solicitors if your application (including payment) is received after 1 February.
Important note
The Law Society does not have the legal power to allow a period of grace under any circumstances.
Late application procedure
If you missed the 1 February deadline and you have provided legal services before that date, you are required to make an immediate application to the President of the High Court to have your PC backdated to 1 January, or the date on which you commenced providing legal services.
Each solicitor must prepare their own affidavit regarding this application. The Law Society is a notice party to backdating applications to the High Court and seeks costs of €350 per solicitor for each application.
Once the High Court has heard the notice of motion and consented to the backdating of the PC, it is necessary to:
- Take up a copy of the order and provide same to the Law Society
- Pay the costs awarded
- Surrender the original PC
On receipt of this documentation, original PC and payment, the Law Society will issue the backdated PC.
Practising without PC caution
The actions that can be taken against a solicitor found to have practised or be practising without a PC include a referral to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, an application to the High Court, and a report to An Garda Síochána.
PC necessity for provision of legal services
A PC must be in force on or before the date that a solicitor begins to provide legal services. It amounts to professional misconduct and is a criminal offence for a solicitor (other than under exceptions provided for in legislation) to practise without a PC.
A solicitor shall be deemed to practise as a solicitor if they engage in the provision of legal services, whether in reserved or unreserved areas. ‘Legal services’ are services of a legal or financial nature provided by a solicitor arising from that solicitor’s practice as a solicitor.
Still need clarification?
Use our resources. Visit our website for guidance notes on how to backdate your practising certificate and provide a sample Notice of Motion and grounding affidavit. You can also contact the Practice Regulation Section for assistance.
- Visit the PC section of the website
- Email backdate@lawsociety.ie
