SRA Handbook

Commencement, replacement and renewal dates

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Version 10 of the Handbook was published on 01/07/2014. For more information, please click 'History' Above

Regulation 9: Commencement, replacement and renewal dates

9.1

Commencement

(a)

The commencement date for a practising certificate is the day on which it is entered in the register of holders of practising certificates as having commenced.

(b)

The commencement date for registration in the register of European lawyers is the day on which the lawyer's name is entered in the register as having commenced.

(c)

The commencement date for registration in the register of foreign lawyers is the day on which the lawyer's name is entered in the register as having commenced.

(d)

The commencement date for authorisation as a recognised sole practitioner is the day on which the authorisation is entered in the register of holders of practising certificates or the register of European lawyers as having commenced.

9.2

Replacement and renewal

(a)

The replacement date for a practising certificate is the 31 October following the issue of the certificate.

(b)

The renewal date for registration in the register of European lawyers is the first 31 October following initial registration, and 31 October in each successive year.

(c)

The renewal date for registration in the register of foreign lawyers is the first 31 October following initial registration, and 31 October in each successive year.

(d)

The renewal date for authorisation as a recognised sole practitioner is the first 31 October following the initial authorisation, and 31 October in each successive year.

Guidance note

(i)

When recognised sole practitioners are passported to become recognised bodies and transitioned to be regulated under the SRA Authorisation Rules, their recognition will become a lifetime recognition and annual renewal of recognition will not be necessary. Other requirements will apply annually to the firm, including Rule 8.3 (Payment of periodical fees) and 8.7 (Information requirements) of the SRA Authorisation Rules rather than those in regulation 4 above.