Membership is open to jurists of every jurisdiction and legal tradition who are willing to observe the Code of Conduct and to have their standing recorded by the Order. It is free of charge.
On this page
Categories of membership
Student jurist
Studying law
For anyone enrolled in the study of law in any form: a law degree, a diploma or a professional course in law at a university or school of law.
Proof: a current student card or a letter of enrolment. A student member who qualifies may move to practising membership by updating the record.
Practising jurist
Working in law
For jurists who advise, represent, adjudicate, draft, research or teach law. Practising members hold a degree in law, or have more than two years of practical experience in their field of law.
Proof: a diploma, a registration certificate, or a letter from an employer or client describing the legal work.
Retired jurist
After a career in law
For jurists who have retired from legal work and who wish to remain part of a community that shares its values. Many retired members continue to give time to pro bono work, teaching or mentoring.
Proof: evidence of former legal work, such as a former registration, a diploma or a reference.
Corporate member
Organisations
For law firms, legal departments, legal service providers, universities and other organisations whose work is legal in nature. A corporate member is represented by a named contact person. The jurists who work in the organisation may also apply individually.
Proof: details of the organisation and of the person applying on its behalf.
What members commit to
- The Code of Conduct. Every member observes the Code of Conduct. It is the same for all members, whatever their title or position.
- Proof of identity. Members identify themselves to the Order with a passport or national identity card. The Order checks the document but does not keep a copy of it; only the member’s name and legal background are recorded.
- Active practice. Practising members spend at least 250 hours a year on legal work, about seven weeks of full-time work.
- Service to the common good. Practising members give at least 25 hours a year to pro bono work, or to other work for the good of society. Members of the other categories are encouraged to do the same.
- An honest record. Members check their own practice against these commitments once a year, confirm their record, and tell the Order when something changes or falls short.
- A verifiable record. Members agree that their name, category, field of law and standing are shown to anyone who holds their card or private link, and that they will share it when asked by a client or another party with a legitimate interest.
- Accountability. Members accept that concerns about them are reviewed by the Order, that they will be heard before any outcome is decided, and that upheld outcomes are noted on their record.
How to apply
- Complete the application form. It takes about ten minutes. You may attach proof of your studies, qualification or practice, and a photograph for your card.
- The Order reviews applications in the order in which they arrive. This usually takes a few weeks. Requests to speed up an application cannot be honoured.
- The Order may contact you to check your identity and the documents you have sent.
- On admission you receive your member number and your member card, with the QR code that opens your record.
The member card
Each member receives a printed card in the Order’s colours. The front shows the member’s photograph, name, title, member number and the year of admission. The back shows the member’s field of law, specialisations and the jurisdiction where the member practises or is registered.
Both sides carry a QR code that opens the member’s record on this website. The record is not listed anywhere and cannot be found through search engines: it can only be reached from the card or from a link the member shares. If a card is lost, the Order issues a new link and the old one stops working.
Fees
Membership is currently free of charge in every category. If the Order introduces a membership fee in the future, members will be told well in advance, and no one will be charged without first agreeing to it.
Leaving the Order
Members may leave at any time by writing to the Order. When a member leaves, for retirement or for any other reason, the member’s record is taken down and the member’s details are removed.
Removal by the Order is a last resort, used only after a concern has been upheld and the member has been heard. A member who has been removed is shown as removed when the card is checked, without public details of the reasons.