The overwhelming majority of admissions to Ireland's Roll of Solicitors last year came from England and Wales, according to fresh data that demonstrates the rush by U.K. law firms to ensure they have capability to cover European Union law.

In 2019, there were 2,381 admissions approved by the Law Society of Ireland, of which 77% were from the U.K. and a further 4% were from other countries, according to a report by the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA).

The total number of admissions was nearly double the previous year. Prior to the U.K.'s vote to leave the EU in 2016 there would typically be between 500 and 700 admissions, of which about 10% to 15% would be from outside Ireland, the report found.

The country's Roll of Solicitors makes up the bulk of its legal profession but does not include barristers — advocates who appear in court.

The LSRA attributed the "unprecedented and dramatic growth" to Brexit-tied admissions, as U.K. firms step up their efforts to be able to practice EU law in order to counteract possible disruption to their global standing.

Earlier this year, Law.com International found that law firms had bolstered their post-Brexit ranks in Ireland in 2019 with Linklaters seeing the biggest increase in lawyers admitted to the Irish roll.

Firms continue to build their Irish presence. Dechert is moving to larger offices in Dublin while DLA Piper is also growing its offering with a larger office and paralegal scheme.

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Linklaters Drives Record Year for Admissions to Irish Roll