Irish solicitors have taken the Solicitors Regulation Authority and Legal Services Board to court over the regulators’ decision to take away their automatic right to practise in England and Wales.

According to reports in Ireland’s Sunday Business Post, the Irish Law Society has issued High Court proceedings against the LSB and SRA, which will require Irish solicitors to be assessed under the new Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme from the start of September.

The old Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test, which covered Irish solicitors, allowed foreign lawyers to practise in England and Wales without taking extra exams.

Proceedings have been stayed pending further discussions between the SRA and Irish Law Society, the Post reported.