Working with foreign lawyers—the registered foreign lawyer (RFL) regime


Published by a ÀÏ˾»úÎçÒ¹¸£Àû Practice Compliance expert
Practice notes
In-house

Working with foreign lawyers—the registered foreign lawyer (RFL) regime


Published by a ÀÏ˾»úÎçÒ¹¸£Àû Practice Compliance expert

Practice notes
In-house
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The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) operates a registration regime for foreign lawyers. Once registered, a registered foreign lawyer (RFL) can become a manager or owner of a law firm with solicitor managers/owners. The SRA Authorisation of Individuals Regulations set out the SRA’s Requirements for registration as a RFL. The SRA has also published guidance for RFLs on their obligations.

This Practice Note sets out the registration regime for foreign lawyers working in SRA-regulated law firms as RFLs, why registration may be required and how to go about getting registered. It also sets out the continuing obligations for RFLs and the implications for firms working with RFLs.

Until 31 December 2024, certain Swiss lawyers were eligible to apply to register as registered European lawyers (RELs). From 1 January 2025, it is no longer possible to apply to become registered as a REL, but Swiss lawyers who are not already RELs may seek to register as RFLs, if required—see further Practice Note: Working with Swiss lawyers—the registered European lawyer (REL) and registered Swiss

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Solicitors Regulation Authority definition
What does Solicitors Regulation Authority mean?

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) was set up by the Law Society to be its regulatory body after the Legal Services Act 2007 required the separation of all regulatory and representative activities relating to the legal professions.

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