Family law panel examination

It has been agreed that the next family law panel examination will be held on Thursday, 14 September 2000 at venues in London and Manchester.The examination is an essential element of the alternative route to admission to the Law Society's family law panel.

In order to be eligible to apply under the alternative route applicants must have:l Been qualified as a solicitor for three years or are a fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives of three years' standing;l Carried out a minimum of 350 chargeable hours of family law work post-qualification in the law of England of Wales, as opposed to experience gained working abroad, in the past five years;l A minimum of 1,000 chargeable hours general litigation experience in the law of England and Wales, as opposed to experience gained working abroad, in the previous three years.

Subject to the above applicants will be invited to complete a certificate of eligibility, an application for membership form and sit a written examination.Please note the closing date for submitting applications to sit the examination on September, 14 2000, will be Friday, 18 August 2000.

Subject to demand it is intended to run an examination in March 2001.Those interested in sitting the family law panel examination should contact the Law Society's regulation and information services on 0870 606 2555, for an application pack.