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Your Practising Certificate

To practise law as a solicitor in New South Wales, a person must either hold a Practising Certificate issued:

• by the Law Society of New South Wales, which is renewed annually and may be subject to:
  • certain conditions and undertakings (see below)
  • a contribution to the Legal Practitioners' Fidelity Fund
  • Professional Indemnity Insurance cover for private practice solicitors, or
• in another Australian jurisdiction and practise in NSW as an interstate legal practitioner under the national practising certificate provisions.

If a person wishes to practise as a barrister, they need to apply to the NSW Bar Association for a Practising Certificate.

More information

Practising Certificate types – more about restricted and unrestricted Practising Certificates, as well as conditions and undertakings

Applying for a PC – download an application form and read about the different types of Practising Certificates.

Renewing your PC – understand the renewal process and what to do if your Practising Certificate has lapsed. 

Changing your PC – how to change your practising details and the status of your Practising Certificate to principal or solicitor on the record.

Barristers' applications – procedures for barristers wishing to practise as a solicitor in NSW.

Solicitor Identification Card – how to apply for your card and how to use it.

Fees – fee components explained plus a Scale of Fees 2010/2011 download.

Notification of offences and 'show-cause' events – explains when and how to notify the Law Society of a conviction, charge or 'show-cause' event.

Ceasing to practise – read about the notification requirements and how to surrender your Practising Certificate.