Higher rights of audience

Time is running out for two of the three routes by which solicitors may acquire rights of audience in the higher courts under the Higher Courts Qualification Regulations 2000. From 31 October 2005 the exemption route (experience of advocacy in the higher courts of England and Wales or a comparable jurisdiction) and the accreditation route (experience of litigation in the higher courts of England and Wales, or a comparable jurisdiction, acquisition of a sound understanding of the procedure, evidence and ethics and successful completion of an advocacy assessment) are to be removed. The development route (involving training and assessment in evidence, procedure and ethics and advocacy as well as the completion of a portfolio) will be the only means of acquiring rights of audience in the higher courts.