LEGAL TRAINING IN NORTHERN IRELAND – Do lawyers in Northern Ireland have an advantage in a post-Brexit world?

Legal Training

LEGAL TRAINING IN NORTHERN IRELAND – Do lawyers in Northern Ireland have an advantage in a post-Brexit world?

Route to qualification

The route to qualify as either a solicitor or a barrister in Northern Ireland requires applicants to obtain a Diploma in Professional Legal Studies from the Institute of Professional Legal Studies (IPLS), Queen’s University Belfast. The IPLS, was first established in 1977 and provides a unique experience to trainees, as both solicitor and barrister trainees undertake their respective courses together. This is the only method of qualification in Northern Ireland.

The IPLS offers both a bar course and a solicitor course. Each year there are 120 places available for those wishing to qualify as solicitors and 20 places available for those who wish to qualify as barristers. Given the restricted numbers, these courses are highly competitive. To gain entry to IPLS, trainees must have a recognised law degree and pass an Admissions Test. Solicitor trainees must also secure a training contract. For prospective solicitors there is also a non-law route for those with a degree in a discipline other than law who attain satisfactory knowledge of core subjects such as constitutional law. In addition, there is an alternative route for solicitor applicants over the age of 30 with special qualifications or experience.

Qualifying as a Solicitor

Solicitor trainees complete a two-year apprenticeship. This comprises a period of in-office training, September – December, attendance at IPLS, January – December, a further period of inoffice training January – September. Trainees are also expected to attend offices during vacation periods.

To commence solicitor training, the applicants obtain a Master and register with the Law Society of Northern Ireland. A Master must be a solicitor currently in practice within Northern Ireland with the requisite amount of experience.

Upon completion of the two-year apprenticeship, newly qualified solicitors gain a restricted practising certificate, meaning that they cannot practise on their own account or in partnership for at least two more years.

While there is no requirement in Northern Ireland for solicitor trainees to undertake certain seats, most firms where possible try to provide trainees a varied workload across departments to enhance their legal training.

Qualifying as a Barrister

Bar trainees attend the course at IPLS full time for one academic year. For admission to IPLS Bar trainees are also required to be admitted as a student of the Inn of Court.

Upon completion of the Diploma at IPLS, Bar trainees are called to the Bar usually in September. They then complete a 12-month period of pupillage with a Master. The Master will be a barrister currently in professional practice who is willing to guide their pupil as they embark on their legal career. Pupil barristers undergoing pupillage can accept limited work once they have completed at least 6 months pupillage.

Benefits of legal training in Nothern Ireland

One of the main benefits of the system of legal training in Northern Ireland is that the professional bodies and IPLS work closely together to ensure that each of the modules on the course reflect the current requirements for practice. Throughout the course at IPLS trainees are taught by IPLS academic staff, all of whom are professionally qualified and practitioners who are subject specialists. There is a strong emphasis on tutorial work and small group teaching.

The entry requirements for IPLS ensure that job opportunities for newly qualified professionals are plentiful, and that the market does not become saturated.

Northern Ireland is a unique and attractive place to gain a professional qualification. Compared to other jurisdictions, the Northern Irish legal community is relatively small, enabling a strong support network amongst members and ample opportunities to network with the most accomplished in the profession.

Solicitors and barristers who qualify in Northern Ireland often have the advantage of exposure to Irish law as part of their training. Although solicitors in England and Wales also have the benefit of a relatively simple route to practising in the Republic of Ireland, they are unlikely to have as much opportunity for hands on, practical experience. Solicitor firms in Northern Ireland often have an office in the Republic of Ireland, and some firms undertake at least 50% of their work in that jurisdiction.

Given the recent changes in the political and legal landscape between the UK and the Republic of Ireland, the simple route to dual qualification and exposure to multi-jurisdictional issues gives legal professionals in Northern Ireland a real advantage in our post-Brexit world.

Enya Hood

Enya Hood

Trainee Solicitor Caldwell & Robinson Solicitors