Review of foreign lawyer re-qualification proceduresThe present system for foreign lawyers wishing to re-qualify as solicitors in England and Wales has been running for approximately 10 years without a major review.

The principal route to re-qualification as a solicitor in England and Wales for most foreign lawyers and other UK lawyers has been through the qualified lawyers transfer test (QLTT).

However, in May 2000 the Law Society implemented the European Lawyers Establishment Directive which allows European lawyers to re-qualify more or less automatically as solicitors in England and Wales after three years' established practice of UK law in the United Kingdom.

Such developments, as well as growing demands from some quarters for the inclusion of more and more countries under the qualified lawyers transfer regulations as a result of the increasing globalisation of the legal marketplace, has prompted this review.The terms of reference for the review are wide ranging and will include:The validity, format and content of the QLTT and current re-qualification procedures;The impact of art.10 of the European Lawyers Establishment Directive on the qualified lawyers transfer regulations; The establishment of a policy regarding any further extension of the regulations.

This would take account of the Society's stated policy of maintaining a liberal policy on re-qualification which has looked to establish London as a centre of international legal and financial services while maintaining the integrity of the solicitors' profession.

Before the first meeting of the review group the Society would be interested to hear any issues relating to re-qualification policy and procedures that solicitors would like to have discussed.

These should be sent to: Paul Milton, Education & Training Officer, The Law Society, Ipsley Court, Berrington Close, Redditch, Worcestershire B98 0TD; or by DX at DX 19114 Redditch; or by e-mail at: Paul.Milton@lawsociety.org.uk.The deadline for suggestions is Friday, 1 December 2000.