Reading List: Mutual Recognition - Lawyers
Reading List: Mutual Recognition - Lawyers
Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 (Cth) & Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 (NZ)
Mutual Recognition Act 1992 (Cth), ANZSCO, ASCO
and other matters
Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 (Cth) & Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 (NZ)
Mutual Recognition Act 1992 (Cth), ANZSCO, ASCO
and other matters
Work-in-progress; last updated, 25 August 2025.
[A] Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 - Lawyers
"The principal purpose of the TTMRA is to enact legislation with the intention of recognising within Australia regulatory standards adopted in New Zealand regarding goods and occupations. The legislation was, as contemplated by the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement, entered into on 9 July 1996 between the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. ...": Little and Victorian Bar Inc [2024] AATA 2852.
"In the process that led to the establishment on 1 January 1901 of the Commonwealth of Australia, there was a time when it was possible that the then colony of New Zealand might become a State within the Commonwealth of Australia. Reference to that possibility and how that did not come to pass is to be found in Quick and Garran’s Annotated Constitute of the Commonwealth of Australia, at p 228; and see also pp 233 to 234. Even so, the closeness of ties between Australia and the now long independent New Zealand is evident on the Australian statute book in statutes such as the Extradition Act 1988 (Cth), which, by Pt III, makes special and liberal provision in respect of extradition from Australia to New Zealand, adopting a regime once used for extraditions between Australian states; in the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 (Cth), which affords, in respect of both goods and occupations, preferential treatment for goods approved in New Zealand or occupations carried on in New Zealand in respect of Australia; and in the Trans-Tasman Proceedings Act 2010 (Cth) which, again, affords special status in Australia in respect of New Zealand proceedings. ...": TPTN v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs [2022] FCA 788, [1].
"First, the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 (Cth) and the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 (NZ) confer a right on a legal practitioner of one country to practise as a legal practitioner in the other country. Thus, the Government of New Zealand has recognised the competence of an Australian legal practitioner to appear in New Zealand courts in a proceeding involving the application of New Zealand common law to a claim for damages for negligence for personal injury. If an Australian legal practitioner has that legal competence, should an Australian court readily shrink from the ascertainment and application of New Zealand’s common law? ...": Robinson v Studorp Ltd [2013] QSC 238, [24].
Issue with employed Barristers in NZ with supervision condition not being equivalent to Barrister occupation in Victoria: Little and Victorian Bar Inc [2024] AATA 2852; and in NSW, WA and ACT: Little and The Council of the New South Wales Bar Association [2024] AATA 497.
Queensland Solicitor, under condition of supervised legal practice, seeking registration in NZ under TTMRA -- equivalence of occupation in NZ established:
> "In Re Dabas,[59] the High Court of New Zealand was asked to determine an application made under the New Zealand TTMRA by a solicitor who held a practising certificate issued by the Queensland Law Society authorising him to engage in supervised legal practice. The legislative regimes of New Zealand and Queensland were compared by Cull J, her honour explaining: [24] There are two types of practising certificates issued in New Zealand, either as a barrister, or as a barrister and solicitor; and two categories of those two types of practising certificates, either in practice on own account, (which is equivalent to an unrestricted principle practising certificate in Australia) or as an employee (which is equivalent to a restricted practising certificate with a condition regarding supervision). … [25] Although statutory conditions are not specifically stated on the physical practising certificate itself, equivalent restrictions apply under the provisions of the LCA and the associated rules and regulations. [26] Under s 30 of the LCA, no lawyer may commence practice on own account unless approved to do so by the Law Society or the High Court. In order to be approved to practice on own account, an applicant must meet the requirements set out in regulation 12 (or regulation 13 if applying to the High Court for leave to practice on own account) of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Practice Rules) Regulations 2008. [59] [2019] NZHC 1940.": Little and The Council of the New South Wales Bar Association [2024] AATA 497, [103].
> Carter Dabas [2019] NZHC 1940, [29]-[31] <https://www.nzlii.org/nz/cases/NZHC/2019/1940.html>: "[29] From the comprehensive submissions detailed by the New Zealand Law Society, I am satisfied that the status of the Queensland Law Society practising certificate for Mr Carter Dabas meets the requirement under s 19 of the Act, that Mr Carter Dabas has an equivalent occupation to enable registration to occur. [30] Accordingly, Mr Carter Dabas is entitled to admission as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand and, following his admission, is entitled to apply for a practising certificate as an employed barrister, or as an employed barrister and solicitor. [31] Mr Carter Dabas’ application under s 19 of the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 to be admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand is granted.". --- decision undisturbed by later judicial review application in Little v New Zealand Law Society [2021] NZHC 1928 (see also, Little v New Zealand Law Society [2022] NZCA 121 (summary of the legal framework to be admitted under the TTMRA and practice in NZ, esp [35], [61]-[72]); undisturbed in Little v New Zealand Law Society [2022] NZSC 78.
Table of Equivalence: NZLS: <https://nzcle.org.nz/Docs/Trans-Tasman_Mutual_Recognition.pdf>, archived at <https://web.archive.org/web/20250219202709/https://nzcle.org.nz/Docs/Trans-Tasman_Mutual_Recognition.pdf>.
Whether equivalence can be achieved by conditions:
> NZ Barristers in NSW, WA, Vic and the ACT: Little and The Council of the New South Wales Bar Association [2024] AATA 497 -- no.
> NZ Domestic Builder in Victoria: Hughes and Victorian Building Authority [2025] ARTA 113 -- no; but see, for Queensland, McLeod and Queensland Building and Construction Commission [2019] AATA 143.
> Tax Agents: Aalders v Tax Agents’ Board of Queensland [2006] FCA 1442; Aalders and Tax Agents' Board of Queensland [2005] AATA 727.
MRA and TTMRA:
> "[86] Section 19(5) reposes power in a local registration authority to impose conditions on registration. In Victorian Building Authority v Andriotis [2019] HCA 22; (2019) 268 CLR 168 at 179 [29] (Andriotis), the High Court considers the powers under s 20(5) of the Mutual Recognition Act 1992 (Cth) (MRA) in regards to this very situation when a local registration authority imposes insurance conditions. The High Court confirms that s 20(5) of the MRA, which is in the same terms as s 19(5) of the TTMRA, permits the imposition of insurance conditions. At [28]–[29], the High Court says: The VBA submits that a person registered in the first State cannot be said to have an absolute entitlement to registration. This may be seen by the operation of s 17(2) with respect to a State law. The VBA gives as an example s 169(2)(e)(i) of the Building Act, which requires an applicant for registration under that Act to prove that they have insurance cover. Section 17(2) would permit that requirement to be imposed. The answer to the submission lies in the power given by the MRA to the local registration authority of the second State to condition registration under s 20(5). It may do so as long as the conditions are not more onerous than would be imposed in similar circumstances. The use of that power to condition would be consistent with the scheme of the MRA; satisfaction of a requirement of a State Act as a precondition to a grant would not. ... [88] Section 19(5) of the TTMRA provides the power to impose conditions on registration so long as they are not “more onerous than would be imposed in similar circumstances…if it were registration effected apart from this Part”. This section invites a comparison between conditions imposed under s 19(5) and conditions imposed in similar circumstances where registration is effected other than by Part 3 of the TTMRA. To use the case before me as an example, the insurance obligation imposed by s 19(5) as a condition of registration could not be more onerous than the insurance obligation imposed as a condition of registration on a barrister in Victoria under s 45 of the Uniform Law (Victoria). Section 19(5) operates to regulate the imposition of conditions on registration by requiring that they be no more onerous than local conditions.": Meagher and Victorian Bar Incorporated [2021] AATA 3445, [86], [88]; See also, Meagher and Victorian Bar Incorporated [2022] AATA 4415, [72].
Jurisdiction hopping:
> "... There is an anecdotal suggestion that the TTMR regime may allow jurisdiction hopping, that is, using TTMR registration to support applications for admission in other jurisdictions that treat New Zealand admitted applicants more favourably than Australian-admitted applicants or vice-versa. The Society is aware that in Auckland a number of applications for admission have been made by Australian practitioners with no current intention to practise in New Zealand. Indeed of the 16 admitted last year under TTMRA just 5 applied for and were issued practising certificates. It was reported that at least some of those were seeking admission in New Zealand to assist their path to qualifying in Ireland. It appears that while there is no direct admission to practise in Ireland for either NZ or Australian qualified lawyers, NZ-admitted lawyers can shortcut the requisite training/study process, particularly if they are relatively recent graduates. New Zealand-admitted lawyers are eligible to take the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test, while Australian lawyers are required to undertake a full training process or at least seek an exemption from some of it, which could involve a traineeship, further examinations and vocational course. Hence it is advantageous for someone from Australia wishing to qualify in Ireland to be admitted in New Zealand first. This may not have been the intended result of the TTMR arrangement. It is a moot point as to whether moves could, or should, be taken to prevent this occurring. ...": 'Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement - Review of Progress' (NZ Law Society, 2003) <https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/mutual-recognition-2003/submissions/new_zealand_law_society/sub017.pdf>, archived at <https://perma.cc/FJR3-E3AW>.
Statistics:
> inbound from NZ to AUS: "In terms of the Queensland legal profession, the 2020 National Profile tell us that between 2011 and 2020 the number of Queensland solicitors grew by 54%. In terms of the number of applications for admission in Queensland from law graduates, the LPAB Annual Report for the period 2020 to 2021 reveals that there has been an increase in admission numbers from 1,070 total admission applications (which include MRA – Mutual Recognition Applications and TTMRA – Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition Applications) in 2016/2017 to 1,333 total admission applications in 2020/2021. ...": 'The Job Readiness of Law Graduates and Entry Level Solicitors in Private Practice - Final Report' (QLS, Bond, 1 Dec 2022) <https://www.qls.com.au/getattachment/d6f794fa-7f09-4010-82c2-849974fbdaa3/qls-job-readiness-report-final-1-12-22-complete-version-.pdf>.
> Qld LPAB: 2019-2020 Annual Report: "In addition to the ‘local’ admission applications, the Board considered 11 applications for admission lodged under the domestic MRA or the TTMRA. ... 10 TTMRA": Legal Practitioners Admissions Board, 2019-2020 Annual Report, 18, Appendix 4 <https://www.qls.com.au/getattachment/3e0302c6-ad74-48f3-8735-5d40e5f6b16d/lpab-annual_report_2019-20__final-tabled-in-parliament-september-2020.pdf>.
> Qld LPAB: 2022-23 Annual Report: 25 TTMRA: See appendix 4 <https://www.qls.com.au/getattachment/c5c87922-d85a-4c1a-b245-b6cd47c0dd1e/annual-report-2022-2023-signed-18-september-2023-.pdf>.
> NSW LPAB: "This includes 21 New Zealand lawyers who were admitted pursuant to the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 (Cth), where an applicant applies directly to the Court.": LPAB of NSW Annual Report 2023-24, p 9 <https://lpab.nsw.gov.au/documents/annual-reports/LPAB_Annual_Report_2023-24.pdf>.
> LPBWA, 2022-23: 12 (including domestic MRA): LPBWA Annual Report 2022-23, p 26: <https://www.lpbwa.org.au/getmedia/190bbf1c-23af-4028-9e4a-653fd1de99b9/LPB-Annual-Report-22-23.pdf>; 2023-24: 9 : LPBWA Annual Report 2023-24, p 29 <https://www.lpbwa.org.au/getmedia/665562c7-1906-41f5-b24a-e78f7729c542/LPB-Annual-Report-23-24.pdf>.
> AUS outbound to NZ: 41 (2024), 42 (2023): 'Shaping Aoteroa's Legal Profession Together: Annual Report 2023/24' (NZ Law Society, 2024) 49 <https://www.lawsociety.org.nz/assets/About-Us-Documents/Annual-Reports/Recent-Annual-Reports/Annual-Report-2023-2024.pdf>, archived at <https://perma.cc/68KZ-SD5S>.
See also, further in discussion in section on ANZSCO below.
[B] Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement
"The Victorian Legal Admissions Board understands that the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) came into effect on 31 May 2023. The agreement contains commitments to reform legal services provisions and drive collaboration between regulators with the aim of addressing remaining barriers to practise as a local lawyer in the other country's territory. The FTA did not have the effect of immediately introducing mutual recognition arrangements that will allow UK lawyers to be admitted as lawyers in Australia without having to undertake the usual application for admission that all foreign qualified lawyers are required to undertake under the various statutory regimes applicable in the various States and Territories of Australia. ...": 'Australia UK Free Trade Agreement' (Victorian Legal Admissions Board) <https://www.lawadmissions.vic.gov.au/australia-uk-free-trade-agreement>, archived at <https://archive.is/qsnAp>.
"The Australian-UK Free Trade Agreement, which came into effect on 31 May 2023, has established a Legal Services Regulatory Dialogue that, amongst other things, will consider enhancing the professional mobility of lawyers between Australia and the UK, but has not introduced mutual recognition arrangements that will immediately allow UK lawyers to be admitted as lawyers in Australia (or vice versa) without their having to undergoing the usual application for admission processes applicable in each Australian jurisdiction. ...": 'Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement' (LPAB NSW) <https://lpab.nsw.gov.au/publications-resources/august-admission-ceremonies.html>, archived at <https://archive.md/r4JgI>.
Chapter 10 of the UK-Australia FTA: <https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/61b85daee90e07043f2b98f6/uk-australia-free-trade-agreement-fta-chapter-10-professional-services-and-recognition-of-professional-qualifications.pdf>: "Each Party shall consider, or encourage its relevant bodies to consider, subject to its laws and regulations, whether or in what manner to: ... (e) establish dialogues with the relevant bodies of the other Party, with a view to the development of mutual recognition arrangements."
Law Society of England and Wales, position 3 September 2020 <https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/10989/pdf/>: "Mutual Recognition 41.The legal professions of both Australia and the UK share a common history and similar legal systems. Our reciprocal strength in the quality and standards of legal education and governance provides a solid foundation for discussions of recognition. One avenue for this is via a MRA. 42.The Australian Government Response to Industry's Action Plan to Boost Australian Services Exports (Export Services Action Plan) highlights the importance of collaboration with professional bodies and “is promoting Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) on licensing and registration including through Australia’s FTAs.” 3 Industry or issue specific agreements are also the preferred approach of Australian stakeholders.4 43.However, while trade agreements can play a role in facilitating MRAs, they do not guarantee an arrangement will be implemented. 44.Difficulties lie in the fact that admission to the Australian legal profession is an exercise of the inherent jurisdiction of each state and territory, rather than the federal body. As there are no uniform rules regulating the practice of law across all Australian states and territories, this would require coordination of several local bodies and regulators. 45.Given the interaction with domestic regulation, addressing issues of mutual recognition will involve both government to government and profession to profession commitments. Open dialogue between LSEW, the UK Government and Australian counterparts is required to raise awareness of the practicalities of doing international business and facilitate this type of engagement. 46.The LSEW supports the inclusion of a framework for progressing MRAs in an UK-Australia trade agreement with clear actions and timeframes for an implementation. The Australian Government Productivity Commission further notes that “any implementation working group should be adequately resourced and involve representatives from the relevant regulators as well as the government agency responsible for policy matters in the specific service sector."
Intra-jurisdictional inconsistencies, see: QLS letter to LCA, 9 September 2022 <https://www.qls.com.au/getattachment/82ea72a9-b6d3-43bc-b703-120070003fde/2020-4159-australia-united-kingdom-free-trade-agreement.pdf>.
[B-A] UK-Switzerland Mutual Recognition
Michael Cross, 'Mutual recognition of qualifications in UK-Swiss deal' (The Law Society Gazette, 14 June 2023) <https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/mutual-recognition-of-qualifications-in-uk-swiss-deal/5116311.article>, archived at <https://archive.md/44D5g>.
The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) (Extension to Switzerland etc.) Regulations 2024 (UK) <https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2024/1379/made>.
Federal Act on the Free Movement of Lawyers (Switzerland) <https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2002/153/en>. -- ?based on nationality than jurisdiction of admission and practice.
[B-B] Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Court
'Court' (AIFC, Webpage) <https://court.aifc.kz/en/>, archived at <https://web.archive.org/web/20250505232612/https://court.aifc.kz/en/#expand> (5 May 2025, 761), <https://archive.is/354cX> (14 May 2025, 763 lawyers), <https://archive.is/kTB4R> (18 May 2025, 765).
AIFC Constitutional Statute 2015 <https://court.aifc.kz/uploads/constitutional-statute-with-amendments-as-of-30-december-2019.pdf>, archived at <https://perma.cc/9WYP-J9FZ>.
AIFC Court Regulations 2017, s 49: "49. Miscellaneous (1) The Court may, by approval of the Chief Justice of the Court: ... establish a lawyer’s registration scheme and code of conduct to facilitate the highest standards of conduct in Court proceedings; ... ". <https://court.aifc.kz/uploads/AIFC%20Court%20and%20IAC/AIFC%20Court%20regulations-2017.pdf>, archived at <https://perma.cc/D3L4-TSHC>.
'Rights of Audience' (AIFC, Webpage) <https://court.aifc.kz/en/rights-of-audience>, archived at <https://archive.is/MVBWJ>.
Practice Direction 4: AIFC Court Code of Conduct for Legal Practitioners, 23 October 2023: <https://court.aifc.kz/uploads/AIFC%20Court%20and%20IAC/Practice%20Direction%20No.%204%20-%20Code%20of%20Conduct%20for%20Legal%20Practitioners%20(Final).pdf>, archived at <https://perma.cc/8VPX-JZ8V>.
"Welcome to the AIFC Court, a hugely significant initiative for the Astana International Financial Centre, the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the entire Eurasia region. The Court provides a common law court system for the first time in Eurasia. It operates to the highest international standards to resolve civil and commercial disputes in the AIFC. It has exclusive jurisdiction over disputes arising out of the activities and operations of the AIFC and jurisdiction in the case of other disputes in which all parties agree to give the Court jurisdiction. The Court is separate and independent from the judicial system of the Republic of Kazakhstan. ...": 'About Us' (AIFC, Webpage) <https://court.aifc.kz/en/about-the-aifc-court>, archived at <https://archive.md/N6KK3>.
'Inauguration of Astana’s International Financial Centre' (Norton Rose Fulbright, April 2018) <https://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/en-no/knowledge/publications/db1c0753/inauguration-of-astanas-international-financial-centre>, archived at <https://archive.is/bVI78>.
"Indeed, the only non-English flavour to the AIFC legal organs is the relaxed rules of rights of audience and representation, with admission being free, not subject to a time limit and open to lawyers admitted in any jurisdiction (or indeed law graduates with letters of recommendation from a court).": Philip Gardner, 'Astana joins Dubai: Can International Finance Centre courts Replace the English High Court?' (Peters and Peters, 2019) <https://www.petersandpeters.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/2019.06.06-Astana-Philip-Gardner-3.pdf>, archived at <https://perma.cc/ZHE5-CNWY>.
Eg, 'Manohar Samal, MCIArb's Post' (LinkedIn) <https://www.linkedin.com/posts/manohar-samal-mciarb-820035195_law-legal-commercialcourt-activity-7300118881765879808-YLSz>, archived at <https://archive.is/04NpG>: "grants to you rights of audience without charge for an unlimited duration".
"Mr [Michael] Wilson’s supporting affidavit deposed to his Australian citizenship and admission as a solicitor in this State, Victoria, the High Court of Australia, the Supreme Court of England and Wales, as well as being an “AIFC” in Kazakhstan.": Michael Wilson & Partners Limited v Emmott [2024] NSWSC 1258, [53].
See also, "The Defendants' Kazakh law expert was Ms Kulzan Mehrabi. Ms Mehrabi is a qualified Kazakh lawyer entitled to practice Kazakh law. She is a qualified advocate in the civil courts of Kazakhstan and the Astana International Financial Centre Court in Kazakhstan. Ms Mehrabi is also an English solicitor. Her professional experience, over more than 20 years, includes practising Kazakh corporate and commercial law as senior counsel and partner at leading Russian and Kazakh law firms, working as an in-house lawyer at a large Kazakh oil company, and as senior expert at the Department of Legislation and International Law in the Kazakh Ministry of Justice. I am satisfied that Ms Mehrabi had sufficient expertise and experience to give expert evidence of Kazakh law. Her oral evidence at times seemed a little discursive, but was given fairly, including appropriate concessions (as they might be regarded), and I am satisfied that it represented her genuine professional opinion.": Kazakhstan Kagazy plc and others v Zhunus (formerly Zhunussov) and others [2021] EWHC 3462.
[B-C] Dubai International Financial Centre
DIFC Courts Order No. 1 of 2019 in Respect of Issuing and Conducting Proceedings, Rights of Audience and Registration in Part I and Part II of the DIFC Courts’ Register of Legal Practitioners <https://www.difccourts.ae/rules-decisions/judgments-orders/court-administrative-orders/difc-courts-order-no-1-of-2019-in-respect-of-issuing-and-conducting-proceedings-rights-of-audience-and-registration-in-part-i-an>, archived at <https://archive.is/8dbdO> (Michael Hwang SC CJ).
[B-D] Brunei
To be admitted to the Brunei Bar, a person must satisfy sections 3 and 4 of the Legal Profession Act, Chapter 132, Laws of Brunei: “3. (1) A person shall be a qualified person for the purposes of this Act if, subject to the provisions of subsection (3), he — (a) is a barrister-at-law of England or Northern Ireland or a member of the Faculty of Advocates of Scotland; (b) is a solicitor in England or Northern Ireland or a Writer to the Signet, law agent or solicitor in Scotland; (c) has been in active practice as an advocate and solicitor in Singapore or in any part of Malaysia; or (d) is a barrister, solicitor or who is a barrister and solicitor of a Supreme Court of any Australian State or Territory. (2) A person who is — (a) a citizen of Brunei Darussalam; or (b) a permanent resident on the date of his petition for admission shall, notwithstanding subsection (1), be a qualified person for the purposes of this Act if he has obtained such alternative qualification as may be prescribed. (3) A person who is not, on the date of his petition for admission, either a citizen of Brunei Darussalam or a permanent resident, shall only apply for admission if, in addition to satisfying the requirements of subsection (1), he has been in active practice in any part of the United Kingdom, in Singapore, in any part of Malaysia, in any Australian State or Territory or in any other country or territory or part of a country or territory in the Commonwealth designated by the Attorney General by notice in the Gazette for at least 7 years immediately preceding such application. (4) The Chief Justice may at his discretion, and subject to the provisions of this Act, admit as an advocate and solicitor any qualified person who — (a) has attained the age of 21 years; (b) is of good character; and (c) has, to the extent that he is not exempt therefrom, served satisfactorily such manner and period of pupillage (9 months) as may be prescribed for qualified persons.”": 'Becoming a Lawyer' (Law Society of Brunei Darussalam, Webpage) <https://bruneilawsociety.com/becoming-a-lawyer/>, archived at <https://archive.is/TYlvA>.
[B-E] Singapore International Commercial Court
Legal Professional Act 1966 (Cap 161) (SG) <https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Act/LPA1966>.
'Registration of Foreign Lawyers before the SICC' (SG Courts, Webpage) <https://www.judiciary.gov.sg/singapore-international-commercial-court/registration-of-foreign-lawyers/registration-of-foreign-lawyers>.
"35 What happened here was exceptional, however, and best avoided in the future by foreign lawyers exercising due care and foresight. Foreign lawyers who are planning to appear in the SICC in person or on the screen in a virtual zoom hearing must obtain permission ahead of time to cover the contingency that active participation may be required. Applying for permission from the SICC in advance of a hearing is the only proper course of action whenever foreign counsel anticipates that there may be a need to plead in a case in the SICC.": Re Terraform Labs Pte Ltd [2025] SGHC(I) 4 <https://www.elitigation.sg/gd/s/2025_SGHCI_4>, archived at <https://archive.is/jFT1C>.
[B-F] Sarawak, Malaysia
"Qualifications for admission of advocate 4.—(1) No person shall be admitted as an advocate unless— ... (d) he has been admitted to practise as a legal practitioner (by whatever name called) by a Supreme Court or High Court exercising jurisdiction in any place within any territory within the Commonwealth.": Advocates Ordinance (Cap 110) (Sarawak) <https://lawnet.sarawak.gov.my/lawnet_file/Ordinance/ORD_ADVOCATES%20LawNet%20WM.pdf>.
[B-G] Sabah, Malaysia; Labuan, Malaysia
"Qualifications for admission of advocate. 4. (1) No person shall be admitted as an advocate unless— ... (d) he has been admitted to practise as a legal practitioner (by whatever name called) by a Supreme Court or High Court exercising jurisdiction in any place within any territory within the Commonwealth. ... (1B) The Chief Judge may, in his sole discretion, exempt a person from the whole or part of any period of pupillage or reading in chambers, upon application made to him supported by satisfactory evidence that- ... the applicant has for a period of not less than six months been a pupil, or read in the chambers, of a legal practitioner in active private practice, in any territory within the Commonwealth, of not less than seven years' standing; or (c) the applicant has satisfactorily completed a post-graduate course of instruction in law organised by any institution that would render him eligible to be admitted to practise as a legal practitioner (by whatever name called) in any territory within the Commonwealth. ... (2) A person having any of the qualifications mentioned in subsections (1) and (1A) shall be eligible to be admitted as an advocate if he satisfies the Chief Judge that— and he has Sabah connections.": Advocates Ordinance (Cap 2) (Sabah) <https://sagc.sabah.gov.my/sites/default/files/law/AdvocatesOrdinanceCap2_2_0.pdf>.
[B-I] Registered Foreign Lawyer, SRA UK
'Registered Foreign lawyers' (SRA, 13 February 2025) <https://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/guidance/registered-foreign-lawyers/>, archived at <https://archive.is/1TjZC>.
[B-J-A] Overseas Lawyer, Hong Kong - Admission
'Admission Standards' (Law Society of Hong Kong) <https://www.hklawsoc.org.hk/en/maintain-standards/admission-standards> -- see 'C. Route to Admission for Overseas Lawyers', especially <https://www.hklawsoc.org.hk/-/media/HKLS/Home/Maintain-Standards/Admission-Standards/Overseas_Lawyer_Route_202302.pdf?rev=cac0744930cd4e55b8e22c2325a196f8&hash=F107F76EF549686F72B32E18607650C8>.
Overseas Lawyers Qualification Examination
Also note, alternatively, PCLL conversion exam, PCLL, trainee solicitor route: <https://www.hklawsoc.org.hk/-/media/HKLS/Home/Maintain-Standards/Admission-Standards/Booklet_on_becoming_a_solicitor_202302.pdf?rev=1d4117f6810943cbb164a841a2eded44&hash=A2FA6CC0A8322A7D9E9915C67DA85066>.
PCLL conversion examination: <https://www.pcea.com.hk/download>.
[B-J-B] Registered Foreign Lawyer, Hong Kong
'Foreign Lawyers' (Law Society of Hong Kong) <https://www.hklawsoc.org.hk/en/Maintain-Standards/Practice-Standards/Foreign-Lawyers>.
'Information for Registration as a Foreign Lawyer' (The Law Society of Hong Kong) <https://www.hklawsoc.org.hk/-/media/HKLS/Home/Maintain-Standards/Practice-Standards/Registered-Foreign-Lawyers/fl-info.pdf?rev=a35bfccdfaf94cdcb12c67c434de56f8&hash=723A54BC8FA74064E1C2BA37C1FB3FD6>.
[B-K] Abu Dhabi - ADGM Courts
ADGM Courts, Civil Evidence, Judgments, Enforcement and Judicial Appointments Regulations 2015, <https://assets.adgm.com/download/assets/ADGM+Courts+Regulations.pdf/ae7e4a5045b611efbd775aec9993a0bd>, archived at <https://perma.cc/4Q48-5EFA>, Art 219: "Subject to court procedure rules – (a) where a person has been practising or employed as a lawyer for a continuous period of at least 5 years immediately prior to appearing before the Court, he shall have the right of audience before the Courts; (b) where a person has not been practising or employed as a lawyer for a continuous period of at least 5 years immediately prior to appearing before the Court, he may seek leave to have a right of audience before the Courts; save that (c) any person may appear and have a right of audience before the Small Claims and Employment Divisions of the Court of First Instance, but such appearance is subject to compliance with any rules of conduct of the Courts.".
[B-L] Qatar Financial Centre
Qatar Financial Centre Civil and Commercial Court Regulations and Procedural Rules <https://www.qicdrc.gov.qa/courts/court/regulations-and-procedural-rules/regulations-court>, archived at <https://archive.is/hA8pM>: "Article (29) Rights of audience 29.1. The President of the Court or the Judge presiding over the case in question shall have a discretion to determine who shall have rights of audience for that case, However, where no direction has been made in relation to rights of audience, any qualified lawyer who is entitled to appear before the superior courts in the State of Qatar or of any other jurisdiction shall have rights of audience. 29.2. Where directions are given by a single Judge or by the Registrar in accordance with article 16.4 above, there are no restrictions on rights of audience unless that Judge or the Registrar otherwise determine."
[B-M] Pitcairn Island
Pitcairn Bar Admissions [2023] PNSC 1 <https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6526ff6fef608a3828c13d05/t/655825d9ee6e8a42adebbc1c/1700275677030/Pitcairn+Bar+Admissions+%5B2023%5D+PNSC+1+%2823+February+2023%29.pdf>, archived at <https://perma.cc/44UB-58XD>.
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