Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 103: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of solicitors that have switched careers to become barristers and [i]vice versa[/i] in the past ten years; if he will provide a breakdown by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25316/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Under the law as it stands I have no function in the matter of solicitors and barristers switching careers.

However, the Law Society has provided me with the following information regarding the number of solicitors who have had their names voluntarily removed from the Roll of Solicitors, and of barristers who have applied to have their names added. While solicitors must make an application to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal in order to have their name removed from the Roll of Solicitors prior to making an application to King's Inn's in order to be called to the Bar, the Society cautions that it does not have information on the reasons for these particular individuals having applied to have their names removed.

* The Society is unable to state the reason why each solicitor has had his or her name voluntary removed from the Roll of Solicitors.

I am awaiting the corresponding data from the Honourable Society of King's Inns and I will arrange to have the material forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.