These numbers look set to increase as some of London's biggest law firms including Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Slaughter and May and Hogan Lovells are registering their lawyers to ensure that they maintain the right to represent clients in EU courts. EU membership also offers other benefits including protection from disclosing their legal advice to clients in the event of a European Commission antitrust investigation. Clifford Chance had already begun the process of registering all of their English-qualified competition partners in Ireland prior to the 'Leave' vote.

Ken Murphy, Director General of the Law Society said 'This is by far the largest number of transfers of solicitors to Ireland from the UK in any given year, and we’re only halfway through the year.' He said a large majority of the UK solicitors cited a fear of the UK leaving the EU as the main reason for registering in Ireland.

Under rules made following an EU Directive of 1989, solicitors who have qualified in England and Wales or Northern Ireland are permitted to undergo a simple process that, when completed, allows them to practice as solicitors in Ireland. Solicitors qualified in Ireland can transfer with similar ease to the rolls of solicitors in Northern Ireland and England and Wales.