If you have taken or are planning to take parental leave, check how this may affect your application to practise on your own account as a barrister and solicitor.

If you have been working part-time

If you have been working part-time, you may still meet the requirement of at least 3 successive or separated years of legal work totaling at least 4,830 hours in the last 5 years, and so be able to make an application. If this requirement is not met, you may still apply under regulation 12A.

If you have had time away on parental leave

As long as you have had 3 successive or separated years of legal experience in the 5 years immediately before your application and a total of 4,830 hours of work, you can make an application. If this requirement is not met, you may still apply under regulation 12A.

Applications under Regulation 12A

If applying under regulation 12A you must include a letter outlining why your application should be approved. Each application will be considered taking into account all the circumstances at the time of your application. Some of the relevant considerations include:

• The purposes of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006, including public protection and maintenance of public confidence in the legal profession.
• The applicant’s total legal experience and the extent and nature of the applicant’s legal experience in their intended area of practice.
• The applicant’s intended mode of practice.
• Do other lawyers (particularly the applicant’s past/current employer) support the application?

In some cases, applications may be referred to the Practice Approval Committee.