Apply to remain on the roll of solicitors

Step by step guide

Who can apply

A solicitor on the roll of solicitors of England and Wales who does not have a practising certificate.

If you want to remain on the roll, you will need to apply each year and pay an administration fee.
Applications to remain on the roll are now closed for 2024. We will contact solicitors without a practicing certificate in early 2025 with information on how to apply.

Why you might need to apply

If you refer to yourself as a solicitor, you must be on the roll.

To work under section 88 (Solicitors Act 1974) as a solicitor without a practising certificate, you must be on the roll. This allows solicitors to work in a public department without the requirement to have a practising certificate.

There is no definition of public department in the Act, but in our view it includes:

  • any department of the central UK government
  • the Church Commissioners
  • the Duchy of Cornwall
  • executive agencies
  • Senedd Cymru, and
  • any other non-ministerial department.

Visit GOV.UK to learn which department agencies and public bodies may be covered.

Get ready to apply

Please check that your personal and practising details are up to date before starting this application. It is essential that all the information we hold is correct and complete. You can do this in 'My Profile'.

If you are working, make sure your work details are correct. You should also check our guidance to see whether you need a practising certificate.

If you are not working as a solicitor, please make sure you have removed yourself from any organisation you previously worked at and ended any roles you may have held.

When your profile is up to date, applying to remain on the roll should take less than 10 minutes.

How to apply

When you are ready to apply, select 'Start a new application'. From the list of available applications, select 'Apply to remain on the roll'.

If you are working under section 88, you will be asked to confirm the public department where you are practising.

How to pay

The administration fee is £20. You can pay by credit card or debit card.

What next

We'll email you when your application has been processed.

Log in to apply

When you are ready to apply, click the button below to log into mySRA and go to 'Start a new application'.

Apply to be restored to the roll of solicitors

Log in to mySRA to apply, go to start a new application