PC FAQs
Can I renew online?
Is a practising certificate required? - statutory
liability (pdf document)
Who has to pay to the Guarantee Fund and Accounts
Fee?
Is the Guarantee Fund and Accounts Fee pro
rata?
Do I require a new application form if my details have
changed?
What are my choices if I decide not to renew my
practising certificate?
Why are my fees for a practising certificate not still
at half rate?
What are my payment options?
If I have not held a practising certificate for some
time, what are the implications?
What is a section 15?
What happens if I don't comply with a section
15?
If l move firms in October/November, what do I have
to do to renew my practising certificate?
If I have not completed all my hours for CPD, is a
practising certificate withheld?
What is an ARTL practice manager or ARTL local
registration authority?
Can I renew online?
Online renewal is only available to members renewing Practising
Certificates expiring October 31. For members whose employer
pays their fees the employer requires to opt in to online renewal
for all staff. Other members who are not associated with any
employer in our records can opt in to online renewal as
individuals. You must login on our website to opt in between
5 and 16 September 2011.
Back to top
Who has to pay to the Guarantee Fund and
Accounts Fee?
Only principals pay to the Guarantee Fund and Accounts fee.
However, some solicitors who are principals outwith Scotland may or
may not require to pay this fee.
Back to top
Is the Guarantee Fund and Accounts Fee
pro rata?
The Guarantee Fund and Accounts fee are not pro rata. Full
payment is due regardless of month assumed as partner.
Back to top
Do I require a new application form if
my details have changed?
No, please just amend the form to show your new employer's name
and address.
Back to top
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 (which
is more expensive) entitles you to a Journal each month
and all other correspondence issued by the Society.
Back to top
Why are my fees for a practising
certificate not still at half rate?
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.
Back to top
What are my payment options?
Payment may be made by cheque, to "Law Society of Scotland", or
via BACS payment by contacting the Society's Records Department on
0131 226 7411. Regrettably, the Society is not in a position to
accept debit or credit card payments.
Back to top
If I have not held a practising
certificate for some time, what are the implications?
Any solicitor not having held a certificate for more than 12
months may have a restriction imposed, as their application form
will have to go to the Practising Certificate Committee for
consideration. In this case, a restriction may last anything from
12 months to 24 months.
Any solicitor not having held a certificate for more than 12
months would also be subject to Disclosure Scotland procedure and
compliance which involves a further fee and can take up to 6 weeks.
Practising certificates will not be issued until satisfactory
completion of this process. Any issues disclosed on the Disclosure
Scotland report may require to be considered by the Practising
Certificate Committee.
Back to top
What is a section 15?
Section 15 of the Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980 (which relate
to a discretion to the registrar in special cases to refuse a
practising certificate or to issue a certificate subject to
conditions).
Back to top
What happens if I don't comply with a
section 15?
If a solicitor does not comply by giving six weeks notice of
his/her intention to apply for a practising certificate, he/she may
end up not being covered to practise as a solicitor.
Back to top
If l move firms in October/November,
what do I have to do to renew my practising certificate?
If leaving one firm and starting with a new firm within
October/November, please make sure you get your application form
from your former firm and take it with you to your new firm and
amend the application form accordingly. If however you start with
your new firm during the month of November, you should pass your
application to your new firms as soon as possible, so that they can
send your form in to ensure you are covered for the month of
November.
Back to top
If I have not completed all my hours
for CPD, is a practising certificate withheld?
No, a practising certificate is not withheld if you do not
complete your CPD by 30 November. However, if you know you are
going to be short of hours please e-mail the registrar
team at registrar@lawscot.org.uk
or write to the registrar at 26 Drumsheugh Gardens Edinburgh EH3
7YR.
Back to top
What is an ARTL practice manager
or ARTL local registration authority?
These two titles relate to the ARTL (Automated Registration of
Title to Land) system. Each firm operating ARTL will have to
appoint one or several people to these positions. If you are unsure
as to the position do not tick either of these boxes.
Back to top