Dear Colleague,

As you know, the Practising Certificate renewal process for 2021 was completed fully online in a very efficient, secure and timely way and we are ensuring this convenience continues in 2022 for you, our members thanks to our new and improved relaunched digital PC application. To support you, we are also providing a video tutorial along with dedicated email, telephone and instant chat help facilities. Early application will ensure your Law Directory 2022 details will be up to date and will allow for a speedier issue of your Practising Certificate. I remind you that the deadline for submission of your Practising Certificate application, together with full payment of fees, is Tuesday 1 February 2022.

Practising Certificate Fee 2022

The Council approved a significant reduction in the Practising Certificate fee for 2021 of €350 (13%). This effectively reduced income to the Society (including the Compensation Fund) by €4m. It was highlighted at the time that this would not be sustainable for 2022. I am pleased to advise that Council has approved retaining half of the reduction, €175, bringing the Practising Certificate fee for 2022 to €2,500 (which includes an additional optional voluntary contribution of €25). This will reduce income to the Society by €2m in 2022. This reduction is recognition by the Society that the ongoing impact of the pandemic is not uniform across the profession. The Society’s Finance Committee has highlighted that it would be financially imprudent not to restore the 2023 Practising Certificate fee to the 2020 level.

Membership of the Society

Almost all firms take out membership of the Society for their solicitors and I encourage you to continue to do so. The benefits of membership are detailed on the Law Society website. Membership entitles you to a wide range of exclusive services, including access to the award-winning Gazette, the digital Law Directory, our Library services, and our confidential LegalMind mental health support. Other member benefits include access to the practising member logo, participation at the AGM, the right to vote in annual and provincial elections and to have your say in affairs of importance to the profession. 

Free Membership For Solicitors Over 50 Years Admitted

Solicitors who are admitted over 50 years are entitled to free membership. If you are eligible, this reduction of €85 is automatically reflected in your Practising Certificate fee.

Practising Certificate Finance Scheme

If your firm wishes to fund the cost of Practising Certificates over 11 months, it can do so by availing of the very competitive finance scheme provided by Bank of Ireland at a rate of 5.58%. 

• See details of the Finance Scheme

Life Assurance Scheme

Each Practising Certificate provides life assurance cover of €62,500 (an increase of €15,000 from last year) 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 Practising Certificate fee.

Solicitors in the 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 2022. If you apply after January 2022, you must complete an underwriter’s health declaration. 

• See further information on the Group Life Scheme

Voluntary Contributions

Your Practising Certificate 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 new voluntary contribution to assist Irish Rule of Law International (IRLI). 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. 

• See further details of IRLI's work

I encourage you to support all of these worthy causes. Should you wish, you have an option to increase the amount of voluntary contributions when you are completing your Practising Certificate application online.

2022

I had hoped to be writing to you to say that the worst of the pandemic was behind us and looking forward to 2022 seeing a continuation of the significant economic growth that returned to the economy in 2021. I am still both hopeful and confident that will continue, but I am also sure that 2022 will bring us some inevitable disruptions and setbacks. I know that we will continue to meet these challenges with confidence and professionalism as we provide services to our clients and support the administration of justice.

On behalf of your colleagues on Council and everyone at the Law Society, I hope you enjoyed a safe and peaceful Christmas and a well-earned break so that you are ready to face the challenges and opportunities 2022 will bring.

Yours sincerely,

Michelle Ní Longáin

President