First time applicants

All applicants must have taken the call to the Irish Bar.

Please see Qualifying as a Barrister for further information.

Applications for 2020 are now closed.

The application process is open from 1st May to 30th June (or closest working day). All applications must be received in The Bar of Ireland office by the closing date 30th June 2020. See below for the rules governing Late Applications.

Please return completed applications to:

memberservices@lawlibrary.ie

Information Pack:

To assist with securing a Master, an up-to-date list of available Masters may be downloaded here (as of 17/09/2020). Your application cannot be completed until you have confirmed a master who is on the current master list. See FAQ's below, if you have not secured a master at the time of application.

Applicants must complete the application form in full and with the required attachments and submit same before the closing date 30^th June:

All applicants must submit:

An application processing fee of €150 via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) bank details for transfers provided in the Application Form
A digital passport style photograph
Copy of Professional Indemnity Insurance Certificate*
Copy of confirmation of Registration on Roll of Practising Barristers with Legal Services Regulatory Authority**

*Professional Indemnity Insurance

For information AON provides insurance broking and related financial service to The Bar of Ireland and can be contacted via email barristers@aon.ie or Patricia Watkin trish.watkin@aon.ie – NOTE: Should we not be in receipt of a copy of your PII certificate 10 days before the start of Michaelmas term, 18^th September 2020, any prospective new member will not be permitted to commence membership.
Click here for PII proposal form (as at 2017/18, subject to change).
Click here for Aon's terms of business and policy document (as at 2017/18, subject to change).

**Roll of Practising Barristers

For information see Roll of Practising Barristers Information - Legal Services Regulatory Authority NOTE: Should we not be in receipt of confirmation of your registration 10 days before the start of Michaelmas term, 18^th September 2020, any prospective new member will not be permitted to commence membership.

Pre-Admission Interview

All applicants must attend a mandatory Pre-Admission Interview with a member of the Library Committee. (The Library Committee is a permanent committee of The Bar of Ireland whose functions include dealing with all matters relating to admission to the Law Library and membership thereof). Pre-Admisson Interviews for 2020 will be scheduled between 1st and 7th July 2020.

We encourage all applicants to submit applications as early as possible. The earlier the application is returned, the earlier the Pre-Admission Interview will take place.

Acceptance

In August, applicants will be issued with Acceptance correspondence containing:

Details of Law Library subscription rates:

Entry Fee €1,500
Subscription €1,900 (as at 2019/20)

Information on the Law Library Orientation Day which takes place during the week prior to the start of term will be sent via email. Orientation covers the practicalities of Law Library membership plus information and pointers on personal and professional development of benefit to you as you progress through your career as a barrister. It is compulsory to attend orientation

New Practitioners’ Programme

First years are obliged to attend the mandatory New Practitioners’ Programme that is designed specifically for those commencing at the Bar. The seminars last up to two hours from 4.30pm and will take place on the following dates:

2020

Tuesday 13^th October

Tuesday 27^th October

Tuesday 10^th November

Tuesday 8^th December

2021

Tuesday 12^th January

Tuesday 9^th February

Tuesday 9^th March

Tuesday 11^th May

Late Applications

Applications received after 30th June will be treated as Late Applications. All late applications are subject to a late application fee of €800 and having secured a master from the approved master list.

Acceptance of late applications are at the complete discretion of the Library Committee and there is no guarantee that applications received after 30th June in the applicable year will be accepted in to the Law Library in the next legal year.

As is the case for all applicants, late applicants must have a Master and must attend the Pre-Admission Interview with a member of the Library Committee.

Under no circumstances will late applications be accepted beyond 31st August.

During the Late Application period, applicants must contact The Bar of Ireland Member Services Department for an application form.

If you have any questions please email memberservices@lawlibrary.ie.

Do we have to pay in full, in advance of commencing membership?

In your first year, all fees must be paid in full 10 working days before the start of the Michaelmas term. From second year onwards you can make instalment arrangements, for payment options in second year please contact member.accounts@lawlibrary.ie.

How much will membership cost in the first year?

In 2017/18 the cost was €1,500 entry fee and €1,880 subscriptions (Note: This may be amended when budgets are set in late June). An acceptance letter will issue in early August and the full cost will be notified in this letter. The €150 application fee already paid is deducted from the total payable.

Is it the same procedure if I don’t come down this year?

Should you apply and not enter, you must re-apply in your chosen year of entry. The application fee is not transferable.

How can I pay the application fee?

You can pay the application fee by cheque, bank draft or postal order, all made payable to the Law Library.

Can I send in my application if I don’t have a master?

You can send an incomplete application if you don’t have a master, but you must continue to arrange a master from the approved master list. The Bar of Ireland is not responsible for this. You must let The Bar of Ireland know as soon as you find a master. You will not be permitted to commence membership without a master.

We would advise that Master/Pupil relationship is vital for establishing your practice at the Bar and we recommend where there is indecision or difficulty it is better to wait and get this relationship right.

Can I send in my application if I have to repeat exams?

You must submit your application before the closing date of 30^th June regardless of exam results. The application fee of €150 is non-refundable.

How many photographs are required and do I need to sign the back of them?

We require one photograph only and you do not have to sign the back.

Is the photograph submitted with the application used for the website?

No. A professional photographer will be on-site on the morning of your Pre-Admission interview to take your photograph for the website. We ask that you arrive a few minutes before your scheduled time to accommodate this.

How many years can I wait after being called to the Irish Bar before I join the Law Library?

Currently there is no time limit.

Can I skip the Pre-Admission Interview?

No. We can facilitate a Pre-Admission telephone call but this is not ideal and should be avoided where possible.

What do I wear to the Pre-Admission Interview?

As we provide a photographer on the morning of your Pre-Admission interview we recommend that you dress accordingly as this is your website photograph and the initial representation of your professional persona.

How long does the Pre-Admission Interview last?

We recommend you give yourself 2 hours to facilitate process, there is a general introduction, followed by individual meetings. We expect it to last no more than an hour but this is your opportunity to raise any questions you may have with your new colleagues; we suggest you are not rushed.

Can I miss the Orientation day in September and still commence practice?

We strongly recommend you attend the orientation day for your benefit. It is a comprehensive introduction to allow new members to hit the ground running. It can therefore be a hindrance in your first weeks to have missed orientation. If you have submitted an application to join the Law Library you can attend Orientation regardless of Call date or exam results date.

Can I commence membership without Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII)?

As with payment you must submit your PII 10 days before the commencement of Michaelmas term. Your application process is not complete until we are in receipt of same and you will not be permitted to commence practice without PII in place.

15. Can I commence membership without Registering on the Roll of Practising Barristers?

Your application process is not complete until we are in receipt of confirmation of your registration and you will not be permitted to commence practice if you fail to register on the Roll of Practising Barristers.

16. I cannot register on the Roll of Practising Barristers until after my call to the Irish Bar and I am in the late call in Michaelmas term?

Your application process remains incomplete until we are in receipt of confirmation of your registration on the Roll of Practising Barristers and you will not be permitted to commence practice until after the late call and after you have submitted confirmation of your registration on the Roll of Practising Barristers.

If you have any questions that have not been answered here please email memberservices@lawlibrary.ie and we will be happy to answer same and add to our FAQ’s – if there is information that you feel is unclear, please let us know. Thank you and we look forward to welcoming you to membership

First time applicants

Pre-Admission Interview

Acceptance

Late Applications

Membership