Solicitors re-qualify in Ireland in preparation for Brexit

More than 300 UK solicitors have requalified in Republic of Ireland in 2016 as firms prepare for life post-Brexit.

The latest figures, which represent a six fold increase in the number of British lawyers registering to practise in the Ireland, have been attributed to the referendum vote that shocked Europe in June.

In a new report, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has highlighted how the 310 UK-based solicitors admitted to practise in Ireland represents a huge increase on the 51 that qualified in 2015.

'It appears the main driver for this is a concern that solicitors in England and Wales will not be permitted to argue before the European Courts, such as the ECJ when the UK exits the EU,' said the regulator.

While the SRA said it could not give specific advice to individuals about career choices, it wanted to provide assurance that the rights of solicitors of to practise in the EU had not changed since the referendum result.

'We have been given no indication of what the future relationship between the EU and UK will be,' it added. 'When negotiations have begun, any impact on solicitors will become clearer and we will provide further support and advice at that time.'

Firms that have reportedly been looking for new office space in Dublin in the aftermath of the Brexit vote include Pinsent Masons and Eversheds. Meanwhile, Kennedys and BLM have both looked to increase their office space in the Irish capital by 100 per cent and 60 per cent, respectively.

Reports also surfaced prior to the referendum result that suggested a number of lawyers at Freshfields, Slaughter and May, Allen & Overy, and Hogan Lovells had all applied to join the Republic's roll of solicitors.