Application forms for the 2003/2004 practising certificate year have been sent out.

The practising certificate fee for solicitors and the registration fee for European lawyers is 790.

Registration as a foreign lawyer is 525.

A reduced practising certificate fee of 595 is available for any solicitor who takes out their first certificate between 1 November 2003 and 31 December 2003.

Anyone that has taken maternity leave within the 2002/2003 practising year, or earned a low income from providing legal services as a solicitor in the last 12 months, may also be eligible to pay a reduced practising certificate.

Full details of these fees are in the notes accompanying each application form.

Anyone not receiving an application form should check that their organisation has applied for one on their behalf.

Contact the Law Society's information services team, tel: 0870 606 2555 (lines are open from 8.30am until 5pm Monday to Friday).

Compensation fund

The maximum contribution to the compensation fund has increased to 824 this year.

To set the appropriate contribution, the Law Society has taken into account claims on the fund that are due to be met or are pending.

There have been some substantial claims on the fund in the recent past, which have led to the increase.

The Society is aiming to help solicitors improve the quality of practice management that should lead to a reduction in claims against the fund.