Once you have passed the MCT and the OSCE and fulfilled any other outstanding requirements set by the SRA (see the ‘Eligibility’ page), you may apply for admission to the Roll of Solicitors of England and Wales. You must apply for admission to the SRA by 31 August 2022 (inclusive).
If you have an exemption from the whole MCT and have passed the OSCE, you must meet the SRA requirements and apply for admission by 31 August 2021 (inclusive). This is unless you take and pass the July 2021 OSCE, in such a case, you must apply for admission by 31 August 2021 (inclusive).
You will need to complete an AD1: Application for admission as a solicitor form (now submitted online), and enclose several documents, such as a copy of your QLTS assessment results confirming your successful completion of the QLTS.
The SRA will also carry out a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) standard disclosure at the point of admission, so the SRA could check if you have a criminal background.
The SRA will also conduct a character and suitability check and require a Certificate of Good Standing from your home professional body or regulator which must have been issued no more than three months before the SRA receives your application for admission.
Once the SRA has received a satisfactory result from these checks, it will be able to process your application for admission to the Roll of Solicitors. Membership is free and entitles you to vote in elections, use the facilities at Law Society Hall and take part in a range of Law Society activities.
If you are employed in connection with the provision of legal services, you will also need a practising certificate.
If you do not intend to practise in England and Wales following successful completion of the QLTS assessments, you can still maintain your name on the Roll of Solicitors, without a practising certificate or paying any annual fees.
