Lawyers at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Slaughter and May, Allen & Overy (A&O) and Hogan Lovells have applied to join the roll of solicitors in the Republic of Ireland ahead of the UK's European Union (EU) referendum next week.

Legal Week has learnt that some UK-qualified lawyers are applying to the Law Society of Ireland amid fears they may find it more difficult to practise EU law in the event of Brexit if they are not registered in an EU country. 

It is understood that Slaughters has already funded one of its Brussels-based competition partners to join the Irish roll and acquire a local practising certificate.