Solicitors in the Republic of Ireland are represented and regulated by the Law Society of Ireland. It was formally established by Royal Charter in 1852. The legislative basis for its current role is set out in the Solicitors Acts 1954-2002. In Ireland it is quite possible to become a solicitor without holding a law degree. Indeed a small number of practising solicitors hold no degree whatsoever

Instead individuals sit professional examinations which are set at degree level standard and undertake an intense apprenticeship program. However those who have recently qualified with a law degree would have the advantage over non-degree holders as they would have near expert knowledge in the study of the law and should have little difficulty with the examinations.