Law Society notices

Renewing practising certificates or registration as a European or foreign lawyer for 2001/2002Application formsThe Law Society is now sending out application forms for the 2001/2002 practising certificate year.

The practising certificate fee for solicitors and registration fee for European lawyers will increase to 650.

The fee for registration as a foreign lawyer will increase to 430.

These increases are required to ensure that the Society fully achieves its regulatory responsibilities, promotes improved standards and safeguards self-regulation for the profession.

The reduced practising certificate fee of 490 is available for any solicitor who takes out their first certificate between 1 November 2001 and 31 December 2001.Remember that you may also be eligible to pay a reduced practising certificate fee if you have taken maternity leave within the 2000/2001 practising year or earned a low income from providing legal services as a solicitor in the last 12 months.

Full details of these fees can be found in the notes which accompany each form.Every practising solicitor, registered European lawyer and registered foreign lawyer should have an application form sent to them individually or to their firm.

If you have not received an application form yourself, check to ensure that your organisation is making an application on your behalf.If you or your firm have not received an application form by8 October please contact the Law Society's information services team on 0870 606 2555 (lines are open from 8.00am until 6.00pm Monday to Friday between 3 September and 14 December).

Changes for 2001/2002From 1 December 2001 the Financial Services Authority (FSA) will take responsibility for authorisation of firms which carry out investment business.

Your firm does not need to renew its investment business certificate as current certificates will remain in force until the 30 November 2001.

However, you should read the information which has been sent to currently authorised firms by the FSA together with guidance which has been sent to all organisations by the Law Society.

These explain the new financial services regulatory regime and include details of the transitional arrangements, including the steps necessary for authorisation by the FSA where needed.

The earnings threshold for solicitors who are entitled to claim a reduced fee owing to low income has increased from 12,500 to 13,500.

Exercise targetThe target for this year is to issue 95% of certificates by 21 December 2001.The Society is hoping to begin processing application forms before the end of September this year and it would be grateful if solicitors could return forms as early as possible.

All solicitors should return their forms to the Law Society by 31 October 2001 to ensure that their practising certificate runs with a 1 November start date.