A late surge in applications for practising certificates over recent days has reversed an apparently startling decline in numbers.

Latest figures from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) show 97,291 submissions as of 16 November – 477 more than at the same time last year. The previous week, the figure was 5,558 lower than at the same time in 2007.

Problems with cashflow and obtaining professional indemnity insurance have been blamed for many solicitors missing the cut-off date of 31 October. The SRA said it was too early to draw inferences about the state of the profession. It will announce official figures for the forthcoming year on 23 December.

Law Society Council members last week expressed fears about the impact on the Society of any fall in income from practising certificates. Society chief executive Des Hudson (pictured) said any reduction in applications had been factored into next year’s budget.

Brian Hughes, Council member for Essex, expressed relief at the latest SRA figures. ‘I am very pleased. The SRA must have had a lot of late applications. It is a lot of money to find.’

Denis Cameron, Central Lancashire and Northern Manchester Council representative, was more cautious. ‘I want to be optimistic, and the figure is good, but it is a seesaw at the moment,’ he said.