Becoming an 'Intrant' (A Candidate to Train as an Advocate)

  • What are the first steps to becoming an intrant? 

The first step is to notify the Clerk of Faculty, via our Admissions Co-ordinator, of your intention to present a petition to the Court to become an intrant.

This formal notice should set out which of the Regulations as to Intrants you are matriculating under.  This will be one of the subsections of Regulation 2(1)(d). The regulations for your reference can be found here.

You should send the Admissions Co-ordinator:

  • The names and contact details of two people from whom we can request a reference.  If there are any disclosures under appendix D (see below) then these referees should be aware of such disclosures;
  • Your CV;
  • A copy of your LLB certificate and transcript;
  • A copy of your Diploma in Legal Practice certificate;
  • A Status Report from the Law Society of Scotland.  This can be obtained from the Registrars department. You can submit your application before you have received this; and
  • A completed Appendix D Certificate. 

Once this has been processed, you will be sent the petition for your signature. 

Please note that the Court fee is £313, and the matriculation fee to Faculty is £180 inclusive of VAT.  Therefore, there will be a total of £493.00 payable upon return of Petition. 

 

  • How long before I want to call as an advocate do I need to matriculate as an intrant? 

 

 You need to matriculate by mid-October in the year prior to starting devilling. It is advisable to start this process around June/July to make sure all the required administration is completed in time. 

 

  • When do I need to tell my employer or when will they find out? 

 

Becoming an intrant requires your application to be made public and a physical sheet of paper with your name and address on it will be placed at the door of Parliament House for a few weeks shortly after the application is made. It is advisable to let your employer know you are applying before your- application is made public. 

 

  • What exams do I need to have done or do? How hard are they? 

 

In the February before devilling starts, intrants sit at least two exams: Practice & Procedure and Evidence. Other exams may be required if the required subjects have not all been passed at university. The Practice & Procedure and Evidence exams do require quite a lot of preparation. You will be provided with some past papers which are helpful.

 

  • What is a devilmaster and how do I find them? 

 

Devilling is sort of like an apprenticeship to a devilmaster. A devilmaster will be an advocate who is an experienced junior counsel. A list of advocates willing to act as a devilmaster is held by the Clerk of Faculty. There is no formal process such as an application form or a job interview- - you need to simply reach out to the advocate you want to devil to.

  • You will have a principal devilmaster.
  • You will have a criminal devilmaster.
  • You may have a subsidiary devilmaster.


For any further enquiries, please contact Darcey Merison, Admissions Co-ordinator:

darcey.merison@advocates.org.uk

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