All Law Society offices close from midday on Wednesday 24 December 2025 for the holiday period and re-open at 8.30 am on Monday 5 January 2026. Full details including Library hours are available in our Contact us section on our website.
A practising certificate certifies that the holder is a fit and proper person to practice law and allows them to describe themselves as 'a lawyer'. It is an offence for someone without a current practising certificate to describe themselves as a lawyer.
You are eligible to hold a practising certificate if:
You should ensure you are aware of the rules governing your particular mode of practice.