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Admission

Having met the eligibility and suitability requirements for admission, in order to be eligible to practise as a solicitor in New South Wales you must:

• Be admitted to the profession in the Supreme Court of NSW (unless you have already been admitted in another jurisdiction within Australia). This is a one-time only application. Once your application for admission is approved you will need to attend the Supreme Court of NSW to:
  • take and sign the Oath
  • sign the Roll of Australian Lawyers
  • receive your original Certificate of Admission.
• Apply for a Practising Certificate from the Law Society of New South Wales if you intend to principally practise as a solicitor in New South Wales. This needs to be renewed annually. Note: To practise as a barrister you must apply to the Bar Association of NSW.

The specific procedure to be followed varies according to your individual circumstances, as defined below.

NSW applicants (first admission in Australia)

Admission

First-time admittees should apply for admission to the Supreme Court of NSW via the Legal Profession Admission Board (LPAB), using the forms on their website. For any enquiries call the LPAB on (02) 9392 0300 or email ag_lpab@agd.nsw.gov.au

Practising Certificate

Prior to admission, the LPAB provides a list of proposed admittees to the Law Society of New South Wales. The Law Society will send you a Kit including an application form for a Practising Certificate. If you are intending to commence practise as a solicitor in New South Wales you will need to:

1. Complete the application form for a Practising Certificate and send it, together with payment, to the Law Society Registry by the date specified.
2. Attend an admission day at the Supreme Court of NSW to receive your original Certificate of Admission.
3. Take your Certificate of Admission to the Law Society to receive your Practising Certificate. A cocktail party is often held to welcome new members of the profession. Details are included in the Kit.

If some time has passed since you were admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW, see Applying for a Practising Certificate.

Interstate applicants

Admission

If you hold a current Practising Certificate from another Australian jurisdiction you can practise in NSW as an interstate practitioner without gaining admission to the Supreme Court of New South Wales provided that your principal place of practice remains in your home jurisdiction. There may be certain situations where you need to notify the Law Society of NSW.

Practising Certificate

If you intend to principally practise in New South Wales you will need to surrender the Practising Certificate from the other jurisdiction in order to be granted a NSW Practising Certificate.

New Zealand applicants

Admission

If you have been admitted in New Zealand, apply directly to the Supreme Court of NSW in accordance with the Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1996. For any enquiries call the Registrar of the Supreme Court of New South Wales on (02) 9230 8063 or email supreme_court@agd.nsw.gov.au.

Practising Certificate

Once you have been admitted you will need to apply for a NSW Practising Certificate with the Law Society if you wish to commence practise as a solicitor in this State.

Overseas applicants (other than New Zealand applicants)

Admission

Apply directly to the Legal Profession Admission Board (LPAB), which will assess your qualifications against the requirements for New South Wales. Read the LPAB’s information for overseas practitioners. Proficiency in English is a prerequisite for admission and you may have to undertake further study or Practical Legal Training. Exemptions may be available upon application. For any enquiries call the LPAB on (02) 9392 0300 or email ag_lpab@agd.nsw.gov.au.

Practising Certificate

Once admitted you are eligible to apply for a NSW Practising Certificate.