Rule 23 Solicitors
(a)  A solicitor who has been in practice in the State for three years at least immediately preceding his application and who during the three years immediately preceding his application, has been in practice in the state and held a practising certificate (or exempted by statute from holding same) may, at the discretion of the benchers of the Society, be admitted into the Society and called to the Bar without undertaking the Society’s course of education and without keeping terms provided he complies with the requirements set out in paragraph (b)

(b) Every such applicant shall

(1)  Satisfactorily complete such course of study (if any) as may be provided by the Society and as may be determined from time to time by the Education Committee,

(2)  cease to be on the Roll of Solicitors prior to admission to the degree of Barrister-at-Law. A letter from the Law Society of Ireland must be lodged with the Society at least 10 days prior to admission to the degree stating that this has been done,

(3)  lodge at the Under-Treasurer’s Office, at least 10 days prior to admission to the degree, a statutory declaration that he has ceased to be financially interested in any solicitor’s business,

(4)  lodge a certificate from the President of the Law Society of Ireland, at least 10 days prior to admission to the degree, stating that he is a fit and proper person to be called to the Bar,

(5)  lodge at the Under-Treasurer’s Office, at least 10 days prior to admission to the degree, a completed declaration  for admission to the Society and to the degree of Barrister-at-Law (the certificate which is included in the declaration  must be signed by a practising barrister who has been practising at the Bar of Ireland for ten years at least and the proposal therein must be signed by a Bencher of the Society), and

(6)  pay the degree fee as set out in the schedule of fees.

(c) Every such applicant may be allowed, at the discretion of the Education Committee, to take the required course of study as may be provided by the Society before he ceases to be a solicitor. A Solicitor will be eligible to take such course of study, if any, as may be determined by the Education Committee pursuant to Rule 23 (b) (1) above once he or she has been in practice in the State and held a practicing certificate (unless exempted by statute from holding same) for a period of not less than two years.