This information reflects the Society's web site at the date you downloaded or printed it and you should check at www.lawscot.org.uk to see if it is still current.

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Practising as a solicitor

Practising as a solicitor

New lawyers Solicitors undertake several years of study and complete a traineeship before they are eligible to join the Society as a solicitor. Once you have qualified as a solicitor and registered on the roll of solicitors, there are certain obligations placed on you to ensure standards for Scottish solicitors remain high. As a new lawyer you may not yet be familiar with these so this page outlines what is required of you as a solicitor.

This section includes information on continuing professional development, renewal of practising certificates and Identity cards.

CPD requirements

Solicitors to whom the regulations and guidelines apply require to undertake 20 hours continuing professional development in each practice year. Currently, a minimum of 15 hours will require to be in group study and up to five hours can be by private study (except for authors of published books or articles). Solicitors practising outwith Scotland, England or Wales may comply with the regulations by undertaking 20 hours private study. Further details on CPD requirements see our CPD page in the Membership and registrar section.

Download a copy of the online form to record your CPD hours. Random monitoring will continue, with the Society carrying out an annual audit of 5% of those who are obliged to complete CPD hours.

Practising certificate

PC rates

Fee payable (the fee section in your application will be pre-printed)
Practising membership: roll retention fee £70 + annual subscription £565 (pro rata) = £635
Concessionary rate: (during first two years following qualification) roll retention fee £70 + £282.50 = £352.50
Guarantee Fund contribution for principals in private practice = £630
Incidental financial business: (see Solicitors (Scotland) (Incidental Financial Business) Practice Rules 2004)
Separate charge per firm = £70
Individual person charge = £60

For those not renewing their practising certificate

Non-practising membership: roll retention fee £70 + full rate £150 = £220
Concessionary rate: (solicitors not in gainful employment) roll retention fee £70 + concessionary rate £75 = £145
Roll retention fee only = £70

New 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 is practice years and not calendar years.

PC renewal is required on expiry of existing certificates on 31 October in each year.

PC renewal process

Application forms are distributed to the profession during the first week of October. If you have not received your application form by mid-October, you should contact a member of staff in the records section of the Registrar's Department on 0131 226 7411 or email registrar@lawscot.org.uk.

Identity cards

Identity cards are a useful means of identifying yourself to gain access to prisons, courts and other facilities. Members who are unable to satisfactorily vouch their identity may be refused access to such premises and facilities. Please note that presenting out-of-date identity cards is unacceptable practice. Follow the link for an ID card application form.