First Time Applicants

Applications for 2024 are now closed

1. How to Apply

Applicants must complete the application form and submit before the closing date 15th June:

All applicants must:

  • Pay an application processing fee of €150 via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) bank details for transfers provided in the Application Form
  • Upload a photograph
  • Upload Professional Indemnity Insurance Certificate* (once received)
  • Upload confirmation of Registration on Roll of Practising Barristers with Legal Services Regulatory Authority** (once received)

Professional Indemnity Insurance*

Roll of Practising Barristers

For information see Roll of Practising Barristers Information – Legal Services Regulatory Authority  NOTE: Should we not be in receipt of confirmation of your registration 10 days before the start of Michaelmas term, 20 September 2024, any prospective new member will not be permitted to commence membership.

Information Pack

The following documents will be of relevance to prospective applicants:

Master/Pupil

For clarity, it is first and foremost the responsibility of the entering Pupil to secure a Master. It is not a matter for the Council of The Bar of Ireland nor the Committee Chairs to secure a Master for any Pupil. To assist with securing a Master, an up-to-date list of available Masters may be downloaded below (as of 01/10/2024). 

Your application for admission to membership of the Law Library cannot be completed until you have confirmed a master who is on the current master list. 

Available Masters List

2. Pre-Admission Interview

All applicants must attend a mandatory Pre-Admission Interview with a member of the Library Committee. (The Library Committee is a permanent committee of The Bar of Ireland whose functions include dealing with all matters relating to admission to the Law Library and membership thereof).

The Pre-Admission Interviews will take place from 4th July to 10th July 2024.

We encourage all applicants to submit applications as early as possible. The earlier the application is returned, the earlier the Pre-Admission Interview will take place.

3. Acceptance

In August, applicants will be issued with Acceptance correspondence containing:

Details of Law Library subscription rates:

  • Entry Fee €1,500
  • Subscription €2,210 (as at 2024/25)

Orientation Week 

Information on the Law Library Orientation Day which takes place during the week prior to the start of term will be sent via email. Orientation covers the practicalities of Law Library membership plus information and pointers on personal and professional development of benefit to you as you progress through your career as a barrister.  It is compulsory to attend orientation.

New Practitioners’ Programme

First years are obliged to attend the mandatory ‘New Practitioners Programme’ that is designed specifically for those commencing at the Bar.

The final dates for the New Practitioner Programme will be confirmed in September. Depending on the number of new entrants, it may be necessary to divide first years into two groups.

Late Applications

Applications received after 15th June will be treated as Late Applications. All late applications are subject to a late application fee of €800 (non-refundable) and can only be accepted if a master is secured from the approved master list.  

Acceptance of late applications are at the complete discretion of the Library Committee and there is no guarantee that applications received after 15th June in the applicable year will be accepted in to the Law Library in the next legal year.

As is the case for all applicants, late applicants must have a Master and must attend the Pre-Admission Interview with a member of the Library Committee. 

Under no circumstances will late applications be accepted beyond 31st August.

During the Late Application period, applicants must contact The Bar of Ireland Member Relations Department for an application form.

If you have any questions please email member.relations@lawlibrary.ie.

  1. Do we have to pay in full, in advance of commencing membership?

From 2021, you must pay a portion of the overall entrance fee and annual subscription, 10 working days before the start of the Michaelmas term, currently designated at €500, in the Rules of Membership.

 

  1. How much will membership cost?

In 2023/24 the cost was €1,500 entry fee and €2,093 subscriptions (Note: This may be amended when budgets are set in late June). An acceptance e-mail will issue in early August and the full cost will be notified. The €150 application fee already paid is deducted from the total payable. From October 2021, this cost is met by your Master.

 

  1. Is it the same procedure if I don’t come down this year?

Should you apply and not enter, you must re-apply in your chosen year of entry. The application fee is not transferable and not refundable.

 

  1. How can I pay the application fee?

You can pay the application fee by EFT. EFT details are on the application form. You must include your name as a reference when making payment. You must provide confirmation of your EFT payment when submitting your application form.

 

  1. Can I send in my application if I don’t have a master?

You can send an incomplete application if you don’t have a master, but you must continue to arrange a master from the approved master list. The Bar of Ireland is not responsible for this. You must let The Bar of Ireland know as soon as you find a master. You will not be permitted to commence membership without a master.

We would advise that Master/Pupil relationship is vital for establishing your practice at the Bar and we recommend where there is indecision or difficulty it is better to wait and get this relationship right.

 

  1. Can I send in my application if I have to repeat exams?

You must submit your application before the closing date of 15th June regardless of exam results.  The application fee of €150 is non-refundable.

 

  1. Is the photograph submitted with the application used for the website?

No, The Bar of Ireland will endeavour to arrange a professional photographer session prior to commencement of your membership.

 

  1. How many years can I wait after being called to the Irish Bar before I join the Law Library?

Currently there is no time limit.

 

  1. Can I skip the Pre-Admission Interview?

No, you cannot commence membership unless you have attended a Pre-Admission Interview.

 

  1. What do I wear to the Pre-Admission Interview?

We recommend that you dress professionally as this is your representation of your professional persona to the Library Committee panel of interviewees.

 

  1. How long does the Pre-Admission Interview last?

You will be allotted a time slot of not more than 10 minutes and notified in advance.

 

  1. Can I miss the Orientation day in September and still commence practice?

We strongly recommend you attend the orientation day for your benefit. It is likely that a large element of the programme will be run online, this will be notified to you in advance. Orientation is a comprehensive introduction to allow new members to hit the ground running. It can therefore be a hindrance in your first weeks to have missed orientation. If you have submitted an application to join the Law Library you can attend Orientation regardless of Call date or exam results date.

 

  1. Can I proceed with membership without Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII)?

No, you cannot proceed with membership of the Law Library without Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) in place. You must submit your PII confirmation no later than 10 days before the commencement of Michaelmas term.  Your application process is not complete until we are in receipt of same and you will not be permitted to commence membership without PII in place.

 

  1. Can I proceed with membership without Registering on the Roll of Practising Barristers?

No, you cannot proceed with membership of the Law Library without registering with the LSRA. If you have already been called to the Irish Bar, then you can and are encouraged to register with the LSRA in advance of submitting your application. Note: you must initially register as a non-member and subsequently amend your status when membership commences.

A copy of your LSRA registration letter must be submitted no later than 10 days before the commencement of Michaelmas term. You must wait to be called to the Irish Bar before you can register with the LSRA.

If you are awaiting a late call to the Bar and cannot submit confirmation of your registration 10 days before the commencement of Michaelmas term, you must notify the Member Relations Team at member.relations@lawlibrary.ie that you are awaiting a late call.

Your application process is not complete until we are in receipt of your registration confirmation and you will not be permitted to commence membership without LSRA registration in place.

Once you commence membership of the Law Library, an LSRA amendment form will be supplied to allow you to notify the LSRA of your new Law Library membership status.

 

  1. I cannot register on the Roll of Practising Barristers until after my Call to the Irish Bar and I am in the late call in Michaelmas term?

Your application process remains incomplete until we are in receipt of confirmation of your registration on the Roll of Practising Barristers and you will not be permitted to commence practice until after the late Call and after you have submitted confirmation of  your registration on the Roll of Practising Barristers.

 

If you have any questions that have not been answered here please email member.relations@lawlibrary.ie and we will be happy to answer same and add to our FAQ’s – if there is information that you feel is unclear, please let us know. Thank you and we look forward to welcoming you to membership