Guidance

Apply for a Certificate of Fitness for call to the Bar of Northern Ireland or a Certificate of Pupillage for Scotland

Guide for barristers asking the Law Officers for permission to join the Bar of Northern Ireland or the Faculty of Advocates in Scotland.

• From: Attorney General's Office
• Published: 14 January 2013
• Last updated: 13 June 2023 — See all updates

Applies to England, Northern Ireland and Scotland

One of the functions of the Law Officers (the Attorney General and Solicitor General) is to approve applications from members of the Bar of England and Wales who need a certificate in order to be called to the Bar of Northern Ireland, or who want to apply for membership of the Faculty of Advocates in Scotland.

Apply for a certificate to be called to the Bar of Northern Ireland

What to submit:

1. A short letter addressed to the Law Officers requesting a certificate of fitness for call to the Bar of Northern Ireland and stating why you are seeking call and whether it is temporary or permanent

2. A copy of your Practising Certificate

3. A brief curriculum vitae showing the nature of your practice

4. References as to your suitability for the Northern Ireland Bar

Apply for Certificates of Pupillage for Scotland

What to submit:

1. A short letter addressed to the Law Officers requesting a certificate and why you are seeking call

2. Your completion of pupillage certificate

3. Your curriculum vitae

4. Your Bar Standards Board certificate

How to submit your application

please send to: [email protected]

or:

Attorney General’s Office
102 Petty France
London
SW1H 9EA
United Kingdom

Published 14 January 2013
Last updated 13 June 2023 + show all updates

1. 13 June 2023

   Updated information on what to submit

2. 18 April 2019

   Updated address

3. 14 January 2013

   First published.