EU lawyers face finesHundreds of European Union lawyers working in England and Wales still face the threat of criminal prosecution and being unable to recover their fees for not registering under the lawyers' rights of establishment directive.

Under the directive, which gives EU lawyers a permanent right of establishment in other EU states, they had until 22 November last year to register their presence with the Law Society.

Despite estimates that around 600 EU lawyers are working in England and Wales - many at the largest City firms - only 54 have been formally registered, with 102 applications pending.

German lawyers (46 applications) have been the most forthcoming, followed by Italian (33), French (22) and Spanish (16) lawyers.

Failure to register leads to a summary conviction in the magistrates' court and a fine.

Unregistered lawyers are also not allowed to recover their fees.

Jonathan Goldsmith, the Society's international director, said there are 'no current plans for prosecution', as there is evidence that some EU lawyers are being thwarted in their efforts to register by the failure of their home Bar association to provide the required 'certificate of attestation' as to their standing.

However, Mr Goldsmith said 'we are conscious that non-registration is a criminal offence' and indicated that prosecutions would be considered at some point.Neil Rose