Up to five years qualified

Information for new solicitors

As a qualified solicitor, the Society is your professional body. We are committed to supporting and representing solicitors throughout their careers.

However, it is important that new solicitors develop contacts and build up a professional network. You could:

• volunteer at our legal study and careers events
• judge in the Donald Dewar Memorial Debating Tournament
• attend continuing professional development (CPD) for new lawyers
• express your views to your junior Council member
• write an article for the Journal, the members' magazine for solicitors
• Become a member of the New Lawyers Reference Group.
• Opt in to receive New Lawyers' News and updates

Contact newlawyers@lawscot.org.uk if you want to find out more or get involved in these or any other projects.

The work of the Society

Our key support services are education, Update CPD, professional practice advice, law reform and regulation liaison.

The education and training team has developed the Supporting New Lawyers Strategy to help you throughout your route to qualification. It includes other examples of how to get involved with the Society and the profession. The strategy will be added to the website soon.The Society is also developing the new policy framework for legal education, which includes changes to the CPD programme for qualified solicitors. It is important that new solicitors are aware of the changes and improvements to the policy framework, which will be introduced from September 2011. See Education and training policy for further details.

To make sure you don't miss any important information from the Society by subscribing to our new lawyers newsletter.  If you would like to subscribe or have any other queries email us at newlawyers@lawscot.org.uk.

Practising Certificates for newly qualified solicitors

 What fees apply?

 A practising certificate year runs from 1^st November to 31^st October in any given year.  A practising certificate fee is pro rata therefore can be renewed at any time throughout the year.

Fees for practising certificates are decided at the Society's September Special General Meeting.

Full PC                                   £550.00

Retention fee                         £  70.00

Non Practising Member       £150.00

Solicitors who have been admitted to the Roll of Solicitors, whether they take a practising certificate out or not have the first three years of membership at a half rate.  This applies to practice years and not calendar years.  

How do I advise the Society of any changes to my employment?

You are obliged to inform the Society of your place of employment.  If you have not done so, you can amend your annual practising certificate application form to show new employers name and address.

What are my choices if I decide not to renew my Practising Certificate?

There are two membership fees which only maintain your name on the Roll of Solicitors, Retention and Non Practising Membership (NPM).

Both simply retain your name on the roll, however NPM (£220 fee, including retention fee) entitles you to a journal each month and all other correspondence issued by the Society.  Non practising members are also entitled to vote in Society elections.

If I decide not to renew and have not held a Practising Certificate for some time, what are the implications?

Any solicitor not having held a certificate for more than twelve months may have a restriction imposed, this is at the discretion of the Practising Certificate Committee.

For additional information on any of the above matters please contact registrar@lawscot.org.uk