Practising Certificates 2024
01/12/2023 00:00:00Information on the upcoming PC renewal.
Dear Colleague,
As you know, the Practising Certificate (PC) renewal process for the past two years was completed fully online in an efficient, secure and timely way. We are ensuring this convenience continues for solicitors in 2024 thanks to our improved digital PC application. To support you, we are again providing dedicated email, web chat and telephone facilities. Apply early to ensure your Law Directory 2024 details will be up-to-date and to allow for a speedier issue of your PC.
I remind you that the deadline for submission of your PC application, together with full payment of fees, is Thursday 1 February 2024.
Practising Certificate Fee 2024
The fee paid to the Law Society for the issue of the PC is the cornerstone that enables it to provide a wide range of high-quality services to solicitors and to discharge its various statutory functions.
In 2021 and 2022, to assist members with any possible impact of the Covid pandemic, the Law Society reduced the PC fee and absorbed all inflationary increases. The Law Society then sought to return to prudent budgeting in 2023. For 2024 the Law Society has continued with this objective.
The registration fee section of the PC fee for 2024, approved by Council, contains a modest inflationary increase of €40 on the 2023 fee. The 2024 LSRA levy (which pays for the contribution due under statute to the LSRA for each solicitor) has increased by €110. There are no proposed amendments to the voluntary contributions meaning they are at the same level as 2023. The total PC fee approved by Council for 2024, including voluntary contributions, is €2850.
Membership of the Law Society
Almost all firms take out membership of the Law Society for their solicitors and I encourage you to continue to do so. Membership entitles you to a wide range of exclusive services, including access to the award-winning Gazette, the digital Law Directory, our Library services, member and training enewsletters and a range of supports provided by Psychological Services. Other member benefits include access to the practising member logo, participation at the AGM, the right to run for and vote in annual and provincial Council elections and to have your say in affairs of importance to the profession.
Free Membership for Solicitors Admitted Over 50 Years
Solicitors who are admitted and enrolled over 50 years are entitled to free membership. If you are eligible, this reduction of €85 is automatically reflected in your PC fee.
PC Finance Scheme
If your firm wishes to fund the cost of PCs over 11 months, it can do so by availing of the competitive finance scheme provided by Bank of Ireland up to 1 March 2024. The scheme offers a highly competitive unsecured rate and has a minimum loan amount of €1,000. To account for ongoing interest rates, Bank of Ireland has created a dedicated webpage to view the latest rates for Law Society members, borrowing examples and how to apply.
Life Assurance Scheme
Each PC provides life assurance cover of €62,500 for solicitors under the age of 70. This scheme has benefited the families of a great number of solicitors over many years. If you are not eligible for the scheme, a fee reduction of €64 is automatically reflected in your PC fee.
Solicitors in the full-time service of the State who wish to avail of this life assurance cover must take out membership of the Society (€85/€55) and also pay the premium of €64 during the month of January 2024. If you apply for the first time after January 2024, you must complete an underwriter’s health declaration.
Voluntary Contributions
Your PC application provides an opportunity to make voluntary contributions to the Solicitors Benevolent Association, FLAC and Community Law Centres. The Solicitors Benevolent Association supports colleagues and their families who have fallen on hard times and need support. FLAC and Community Law Centres (based in Ballymun and Coolock) continue to provide very valuable legal support to their communities.
Additionally, the application form provides for a voluntary contribution to assist Irish Rule of Law International (IRLI) which was introduced in 2022. This is a joint initiative of the Law Society of Ireland, the Bar of Ireland, the Law Society of Northern Ireland and the Bar of Northern Ireland which seeks to harness the skills of Irish lawyers to tackle global injustice and empower people to live in a society free from inequality, corruption and conflict.
I encourage you to support all these worthy causes. Should you wish, you have an option to increase the amount allocated to each voluntary contribution when you are completing your PC application online.
2024
On behalf of myself, our colleagues on Council and everyone at the Law Society, I hope you enjoy a safe and peaceful Christmas and a well-earned break so that you are ready to face the challenges and opportunities 2024 will bring.
Kind regards
Barry MacCarthy
President
