A right of audience refers to the right to attend court to undertake legal proceedings for a client. This means that solicitors are able to attend court to represent and speak on behalf of their client in front of a judge. Barristers have full rights of audience in all English courts, that is the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court, Crown Court and County Courts. Prior, solicitors could only attend County Courts and Magistrates’ Courts. Now, they may apply for higher rights of audience, which will enable them to attend all the courts listed above. It is mandatory to have a right to audience in order to be able to lead proceedings in court, in its absence, they are unable to do so. Rights to audience are obtained through formal qualifications.
What is a Solicitor Advocate?
Qualified solicitors that have gained the same rights of audience as barristers by obtaining a formal qualification are known as solicitor advocates. Advocacy is more commonly associated with barristers who attend court regularly to represent their clients. However, solicitors can also advocate for their clients by obtaining formal qualifications to become solicitor advocates. Conventionally, during court proceedings, a solicitor would instruct a barrister to advocate for their cases. The role of a solicitor advocate essentially integrates the two roles in that they wholly represent their client throughout the case, without the need to liaise with a barrister for a court hearing.
How to Gain Rights of Audience as a Solicitor?
Once you have completed all the necessary steps to qualify as a solicitor (i.e. completed a degree, undertaken the PGDL/LPC, and completed your training contract) you must obtain a Higher Rights of Audience (HRA) qualification, which can be based in either the civil or criminal sphere. This qualification can be obtained from a range of institutions, including BPP, University of Law, Kaplan Altior, CPD Training and City, University of London.
Studying the Higher Rights of Audience course may be ideal for those wanting to give clients well-rounded legal services – being able to advocate for clients in conjunction with providing legal advice can enhance a solicitor’s professional capabilities and standing which may be attractive for clients. In addition, there is greater fee-earning potential for those seeking to obtain the HRA.
All candidates must be solicitors admitted in England and Wales. There are no longer any requirements for candidates to have advocacy experience or training. All necessary training and assessments will be undertaken during the course.
Solicitor Advocate Courses
Highers Rights of Audience courses are offered by a range of providers as listed in the table below. They are either criminal or civil focused. If you would like to obtain rights of audience in both spheres, you must carry out two different assessments for each. The courses are split into evidence & litigation and advocacy which include a written and practical assessment.
Table of Course Providers
There are different methods of study available to prospective solicitor advocates.
| Course name | Provider | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Higher Rights of Audience (HRA)
Criminal and Civil |
University of Law | Each element of the courses can be paid separately, but for packages see below.
Civil Higher Rights packages: Civil Training and Assessment: £1,794 Criminal Training and Assessment: £1,794 |
| Higher Rights of Audience (HRA) Civil and Criminal Higher Rights of Audience | BPP | Civil Higher Rights Pack: £1,818
Criminal Higher Rights Pack: £1,818 |
| Higher Rights of Audience
Civil and Criminal |
City, University of London | Civil Training: £995
Civil Assessment: £495 Criminal Training: £995 Criminal Assessment: £495 |
| Higher Rights of Audience
Civil only |
CPD Training, London | Package: £1,560 |
| Higher Rights of Audience (HRA) Civil and Criminal | Kaplan Altior | Package:
Written and Practical Training & Assessment: £1,475 Separate: Written + Practical Training: £1010 + VAT Assessment only: £495 + VAT |
By Chanpreet Manku