Calling all solicitors...

[Cashncarry]

How long do you have to hold a practising certificate before you can become a partner? Is there even a restriction or can you in theory qualify as a solicitor and then immediately become a partner?

Just in case you're wondering, I've already trawled the Law Society and Solicitors' Regulation Authority websites and found nothing so I just know someone on MN will have the answer...

I've even joined another forum for the first time in the hope of getting an answer to this question...

There is a restriction on how soon you can act as a sole practioner (3 years pqe?), but not sure if there is a restriction on how soon you can be a partner.

Sorry not much help!

I think you have to have held a practicing certificate for 3 years before you can manage an office and supervise people. So in theory this would mean 3 years PQE before partnership.

Otherwise, most firms have their own rule. In magic circle firms it used to be 6 years PQE before you would be considered for partnership, now it is more like 8 years unless they think you will leave and take all their clients

Dh says the magic circle is now closer to 9 years.

Thanks guys - just to clarify, it's to join a sole practitioner who's offered a 20% equity stake and will set up an LLP.

I've brought up the point about managing/supervising which I have a vague recollection of and been told that I wouldn't have any such duties so hopefully wouldn't be an issue.

What's "roll on friday" - can you post a link please stringerbell?

Pretty sure there's no requirement for a certain amount of PQE for partnership. It is 3 years for sole practitioner. But why would you want to tie yourself into partnership on qualification? It makes it a lot more difficult to change jobs.

I know Jbabe - that's why I'm a bit worried/flabbergasted/feel like throwing up at the moment!

Would you be doing same sort of work as the sole practitioner? Even when you're qualified you'll still need some supervision/advice yourself.

I'd give the Law Society a call in the morning. They'll be able to give you a definitive answer

Yep - he says he'll still supervise/guide me as I'm in the early stages of my career. However, he wants me to branch out in a different area of law which he has some experience in but not a lot and none recent....

I'm in a quandry right now complicated more by the fact that I've been offered a job by the firm I was on secondment at, who specialise in that area I want to practice in. I may well start a thread later on asking for advice on which job to choose but right now I'm concerned that I'm being offered partnership when I'm not actually entitled to be one...

I will thanks faylisa - I only got out of my meeting at 6pm by which time they had shut (part-timers!)

Thanks for the virtual ears guys - I'm feeling a lot calmer than when I got home