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Foreign lawyers to be charged £3,000 to gain English qualification

I don't dispute the fact that foreign lawyers must be required to satisfy stringent requirements, i.e. qualify the QLTS assessments, in order to be able to practice law in the UK. What I do take issue with is that the price a foreign lawyer has to pay is exorbitant. I would like to highlight that a foreign applicant is required to pay: (a) an application fee to the SRA; (b) an application fee at each level of assessment to Kaplan (there are 3 assessments); and (c) fee to subscribe to institute's that offer books/study material (This is not required by the SRA. However, given that candidates are tested on 11 subjects, most applicants may subscribe to these.) The cost of qualifying in the UK is between GBP 3000-4000. I can live with being subject to the same standards as a UK lawyer in order to qualify but I'm appalled that no one has taken issue with the price that a foreign lawyer must pay in order to practice in the UK. GBP 3000-4000 is a pretty big sum of money for someone to afford in the UK. Imagine the plight of applicants from jurisdictions with a much weaker currency. I am a prospective QLTS applicant and can very much afford it. However, I know that the price one must pay to qualify highly jeopardizes the chances of bright young lawyers in many other jurisdictions to qualify in the UK. Its just sad! I wish I had the ability to change things. Unfortunately, my only option is to express my views and that too, rather late (this article is dated September 28, 2010).

16-Feb-2012

9:02 pm