Firm renewal - RF1
This year, there will be one combined form RF1 for renewals
- for firms to renew the practising certificates/registrations of individuals working in them,
- for firms to renew their recognition or authorisation, and
- for firms to pay their firm-based fees.
The RF1 form will be sent to you by 8 October 2010. If you don't receive it by then, contact us.
Recognised bodies and recognised sole practitioners - Last year, you were required to renew your recognition/authorisation on a separate renewal form to your application(s) for PCs/registrations. This year, you only need to complete the combined form RF1.
In-house solicitors - If you have received an RF1 form in previous years, you will receive this form again this year.
We have revised the RF1 to accommodate all types of firms which we regulate. Therefore please note that some sections of the form will not be relevant to you.
Who must apply
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Practising certificates and registrations
- The Solicitors Act 1974 requires practising solicitors to have a practising certificate. Subrule 20.02 of the Code of Conduct 2007 sets out what we regard as "practising", and the guidance to rule 20 discusses exemptions from the requirement to hold a practising certificate.
- European lawyers who wish to practise in England and Wales must register with the SRA as a registered European lawyer (unless registered with another professional body) as set out in the European Communities (Lawyer's Practice) Regulations 2000.
- Foreign lawyers who wish to become managers of a recognised body must register with the SRA as a registered foreign lawyer as set out in the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990, section 89 and Schedule 14.
- Foreign lawyer non-managers may also voluntarily register themselves with the SRA. See rule 12 of the Code of Conduct for practice in this capacity.
- Firm recognition
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Recognised sole practitioner authorisation
- All solicitor and registered European lawyer recognised sole practitioners as set out in regulation 8 of the SRA Practising Regulations 2009.
Form
It is the personal responsibility of each individual to ensure that
- a complete application has been made on their behalf (which includes the approrpriate fee and all required information)
- that statements made on the form are correct
If you need to complete this form, you must return it to us with the appropriate fee by 31 October 2010.
Notes
Download notes on RF1 (PDF 300K, 41 pages) or browse through notes below
RF1 notes
It is important to refer to these notes on completing the form.