Solicitors to train outside Dublin for the first time

THE country’s future solicitors will be able to undergo their training outside Dublin for the first time from the end of this year.

The Law Society which runs the professional training courses has decided to operate courses in Cork, as the numbers entering the profession have doubled in the past four years alone.

Up to now, all trainee solicitors had to attend courses at Blackhall Place in the capital, but it is expected that up to 150 will choose to study in Cork from next November. The details will be announced at the courthouse in Cork this afternoon by Law Society president Michael Irvine, pointing out that there are 1,437 people at various stages in the process of qualification compared to 714 in 2002.