The Trainee Handbook, and all other forms relation to these processes, can be found HERE.

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How to apply for Articles and become a Trainee Member of the Society

1. Secure a training contract/Articles with a Manx Advocate.

2. Submit an Application to enter into Articles to the Law Society and enclose the following documents:
a. Application form signed and dated by Trainee Application
b. Part 2 statement signed and dated by proposed Principal
c. Consent of Trainee Applicant for a copy of Articles to be sent by the Court to the society
d. Certified copy of Degree Certificate
e. Certified Copy of GDL Certificate (if applicable)

OR

For Applicants wishing to undertake a training period of 1 year (only Solicitors or Barristers from England and Wales who have been practicing for at least 3 years), the following documents must be enclosed in addition to the above:
a. Evidence of date of Admission Barrister/Solicitor
b. Current Practice Certificate
c. Evidence of 3 years practice

3. You must present your passport, driving licence and an address verification document to the Society with your Articles Application.

4. Upon submitting your Application, you will be sent a link to undertake a DBS check via Certn.

5. Your referees will also be contacted by the Education Administrator. You will also be sent a copy of the Trainee Handbook and a link to a Trainee Information Form in order for us to create an account and profile for you on our website.

6. On receipt of a full Application, references and clear DBS check, the Education Administrator will be in contact to arrange a date for interview with the Interview Committee and a full copy of your Application will be circulated to its members.

7. In the interview, you will be asked questions to assess your suitability to enter into Articles. This is not a test, rather an assessment of your fitness and propriety.

8. Members of the Law Society will be notified of your intention to enter into Articles and become a Trainee Member of the Isle of Man Law Society and will have two weeks to raise any objections.

9. The Interview Committee will present their recommendation to Council at their next meeting (they meet on the first Thursday of each month) following the interview.

10. Council will send its recommendation to the First Deemster, who will either accept or decline your Application accordingly.

11. The First Deemster will write to you to notify you of the outcome of your Application. The date on the Deed of Clerkship will be the date your Articles commence, which cannot be dated any earlier than the date of the First Deemster’s letter.

12. A copy of the original signed Deed of Clerkship should be sent to Court and a copy to the Administrator of the Law Society, upon receipt of which you will become a Trainee Member of the Law Society. An invoice will be issued to you accordingly.

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How to Apply to be Commissioned and become a Practicing Member of the Law Society

1. Your Articles ordinarily expire two years from the date on your Deed of Clerkship where applicable.

2. An Application to be Commissioned can be processed one month before the expiry of your Articles.

3. Submit the Application to be Commissioned as a Manx Advocate to the Law Society and enclose the following documentation:
a. Commission Application form (signed)
b. Principal’s declaration form (signed)
c. Student undertaking (signed)
d. Authorisation to release Commission
e. Checklist signed by Applicant.

4. On receipt of a full Application and providing there are no outstanding debts to the Law Society, the Education Administrator will contact you to arrange a date for interview with the Interview Committee. A copy of your Application will be circulated to members of the Interview Committee for review.

The purpose of the interview is to check that all requirements set out in the Trainee Handbook have been met by the Trainee Advocate and to assess the Applicant’s fitness and propriety.

5. Members of the Law Society will be notified of your intention to be Commissioned and to become a full Member of the Isle of Man Law Society and will have two weeks to voice any objections.

6. The Interview Committee will present their recommendation to Council at their next meeting (they meet on first Thursday of each month) following the interview.

7. When Council has issued their recommendation, the Law Society will send that recommendation to the First Deemster who will either accept or decline your Application accordingly.

8. The Court will provide you with a date for your Commissioning Ceremony where you will receive your Commission Certificate.

9. Submit a copy of your Commission Certificate to the Administrator of the Law Society, upon receipt of which you will become a Practicing Member of the Law Society. An invoice will be issued to you accordingly.