Registered foreign lawyer definition

View the related checklists about Registered foreign lawyer

Supervision—checklist—law firms

Supervision—checklist—law firms This Checklist is designed to help you determine whether you have the systems in place to comply with regulatory requirements that apply to law firms, including SRA requirements, in relation to supervision. It should be read in conjunction with subtopic: Supervision and file reviews. Management and control Requirement Compulsory or recommended Comments (if any) ☐ Ensure your governance arrangements are suitable to operate or control a business providing regulated legal services.See subtopics: SRA authorisation and approval and Governance structures. Compulsory SRA Authorisation of Firms Rules, r 2.2 (Insert any comments you may wish to make regarding your firm’s arrangements) ☐ Ensure you have at least one manager or employee, or procure the services of an individual, who:—is a lawyer of England and Wales and has practised as such for a minimum of three years, and—supervises the work undertaken by your firm Compulsory SRA Authorisation of Firms Rules, r 9.4 (Insert any comments you may wish to make regarding your firm’s arrangements) Service and competence Requirement Compulsory or...

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Working with foreign lawyers—the registered foreign lawyer (RFL) regime

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) operates a registration regime for foreign lawyers. Once registered, a registered foreign lawyer (RFL) can become a manager or owner of a law firm with solicitor managers/owners. The SRA Authorisation of Individuals Regulations set out the SRA’s requirements for registration as a RFL. The SRA has also published guidance for RFLs on their obligations.This Practice Note sets out the registration regime for foreign lawyers working in SRA-regulated law firms as RFLs, why registration may be required and how to go about getting registered. It also sets out the continuing obligations for RFLs and the implications for firms working with RFLs.Until 31 December 2024, certain Swiss lawyers were eligible to apply to register as registered European lawyers (RELs). From 1 January 2025, it is no longer possible to apply to become registered as a REL, but Swiss lawyers may seek to register as RFLs, if required—see further Practice Note: Working with European lawyers—the registered European lawyer (REL) regime.For a checklist of issues to consider when applying...

Working with European lawyers—the registered European lawyer (REL) regime

At 11 pm (GMT) on 31 December 2020, the Brexit transition/implementation period, entered into following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, came to an end. At this point in time (referred to in UK law as ‘IP completion day’), key transitional arrangements come to an end and significant changes began to take effect across the UK’s legal regime.Prior to IP completion day, the Establishment of Lawyers Directive 98/5/EC (Establishment Directive) gave members of certain legal professions in the EU, EEA and Switzerland the right to practise in the UK on a permanent basis, subject to registration with one of the UK’s legal regulatory bodies. In England and Wales, the relevant regulatory bodies were the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Bar Standards Board (BSB). Separate arrangements were in place for Scotland and Northern Ireland. Lawyers registered under this regime were known as Registered European Lawyers or RELs.Since IP completion day, the REL regime has largely fallen away. On 1 January 2021, the SRA arranged for all SRA-regulated RELs who had...