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Swiss lawyers working in England and Wales
16 December 2024
If you are Swiss qualified lawyer and you wish to practise in England and Wales, there are a few options for you to consider.
Practising under your home professional title and not regulated by us
As a qualified lawyer, you can practise the law of your home jurisdiction, international and European Union law under your home professional title, as permitted by your jurisdiction’s law. This can be either on a temporary or permanent basis without any further registration or qualification requirements.
You cannot provide any reserved legal services in English and Wales. However, you can provide unreserved services, unless such services have specific additional regulatory requirements (for example, immigration work and claims management activities). You do not need to be registered with us or another legal services regulator to do this.
Practising as a registered foreign lawyer
You can become a registered foreign lawyer (RFL) at any time. An RFL can be a manager or owner of an SRA-regulated law firm and can provide unreserved legal services. However, you cannot practise as a sole practitioner or be the only lawyer in a business that is authorised as a recognised body. Find out more about being an RFL.
Becoming a solicitor through the SQE route (existing route)
Qualify through the SQE route means you will need to pass the SQE, or successfully apply for an exemption, as well as meet our other requirements. Find out more about qualifying through the SQE.
Becoming a solicitor through the adaptation period or aptitude test routes (under the new Swiss/UK trade agreement)
A new agreement for the recognition of professional qualifications comes into force in the UK on 1 January 2025. For lawyers holding a covered Swiss legal title (Avocat, Advokat, Rechtsanwalt, Anwalt, Fürsprecher, Fürsprech or Avvocato), this means there will be two new ways for you to qualify as a solicitor – via an adaptation period or aptitude test.
Further information on how a Swiss lawyer can become a solicitor through these routes will be available after 14 January. If you have any queries in the meantime, you can contact us.
Becoming a solicitor through the registered European lawyer route
This option is only available to existing registered European lawyers already registered on or before 31 December 2024 (or those who apply by this date and go on to become registered). Find out more about this option.