Supporting Documents

Learn about document requirements, file formats, and the verification process for your legal professional application.

Last reviewed 10 August 2026

Overview

Supporting documents verify your professional credentials and identity. They are a critical part of the application process and help us ensure that all legal professionals on our platform meet the required standards.

A core set has to be in place before you can submit; anything beyond that can be added later from your dashboard. All documents are securely stored and encrypted both in transit and at rest.

When to Upload

The required documents below are checked when you submit, so the application cannot be sent without them. Optional documents can wait, though supplying them up front usually means a faster review.

Accepted Document Types

The following types of documents are accepted to verify your professional registrations.

Qualification Proof, per Regulated QualificationRequired

For each regulated qualification, either a qualification certificate from the regulatory body (for example an SRA practising certificate) or the address of your entry on that regulator’s public register. Either one satisfies the requirement

Must be current and not expired

Should clearly show your name, licence number, and regulatory body

Constitutional Document, Organisations OnlyRequired by structure

Partnerships upload a partnership agreement, limited liability partnerships an LLP agreement, and limited and public limited companies their articles of incorporation

Sole traders and individual applicants are not asked for one

Identity VerificationRequired

Valid government-issued photo ID (passport, national ID card, or driving licence)

Must be current and not expired

Photo and text must be clearly visible

Proof of AddressOptional

Recent utility bill, bank statement, or council tax bill (dated within last 3 months)

Must show your name and address clearly

Professional Indemnity InsuranceRequired

A current certificate for every professional indemnity policy you add. Each policy needs its own certificate, so two policies mean two uploads

Should show coverage amount and validity period

File Requirements

All uploaded documents must meet the following technical requirements.

Accepted formats: shown on each upload area
Maximum file size: shown on each upload area, with a lower ceiling for identity documents
Password-protected PDFs: supported. Enter the password alongside the file and we unlock it before storing
Image quality: Text must be clearly readable at 100% zoom
Multi-page documents: Upload as a single PDF or multiple separate images
Colour or black & white: Both are acceptable, colour preferred for ID documents

Common Issues

Documents are often rejected due to poor image quality, expired documents, or missing information. Ensure your documents are clear, current, and complete before uploading.

Verification Process

Once you submit your application with documents, our verification team reviews them.

Initial Review: Started as soon as a reviewer picks up your application, and you are emailed when it begins
Document Validation: Checking authenticity and current validity
Regulatory Body Verification: Confirming registration with the stated regulatory body
Decision: You’ll receive an email notification (approved, rejected, or more information needed)

Timeline: Our internal target is 3 working days from submission. The clock pauses whenever we are waiting on information from you, so complex cases may take longer.

If Documents Are Rejected

You’ll receive an email explaining why your documents were rejected and what you need to provide. You can upload replacement documents from your dashboard at any time.

Document Security & Privacy

Your documents and personal information are protected using industry-standard security measures.

Encryption: All documents are encrypted in transit and at rest
Access Control: Only authorised verification team members can view your documents
Audit Logs: Document sharing, downloads, and staff access to stored files are logged and monitored
GDPR Compliance: Your data is processed in accordance with UK GDPR requirements
Data Retention: Documents are retained for regulatory compliance purposes, and a removed document’s file is held for a further 90 days before deletion

Common Rejection Reasons

Understanding why documents are rejected helps you avoid common issues.

Expired Documents: All certificates and ID must be current
Poor Image Quality: Text must be clearly readable
Missing Pages: Multi-page documents must include all pages
Wrong Document Type: Bank statement instead of practising certificate
Name Mismatch: Document name doesn’t match application name
Incomplete Information: Licence number or regulatory body not visible

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I submit documents later?

Yes! You can submit your application without documents and add them later from your dashboard. However, your application cannot be fully approved until all required documents are verified.

Do all jurisdictions require the same documents?

Requirements may vary slightly by jurisdiction and professional type. Each jurisdiction you add will indicate which documents are required. Generally, a practising certificate and ID are required for all jurisdictions.

How do I know which documents to upload?

The application form indicates which documents are required based on your selected professional types. At minimum, you’ll need your practising certificate and photo ID for each jurisdiction.

What if my licence is in a foreign language?

Documents in languages other than English should be accompanied by a certified translation. The translation must be certified by a qualified translator and include the translator’s credentials.

Can I replace or update documents after submission?

Yes, you can update your documents from your dashboard at any time. This is particularly useful when your practising certificate renews annually.

How long are documents retained?

Documents are retained for the duration of your membership plus 7 years for regulatory compliance. You can request deletion of your data by contacting support via the contact form in your dashboard.

Can’t find what you’re looking for?

Our support team is here to help. Contact us and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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