Admission to the bar
Encyclopedia
An admission to practice law, also called admission to the bar, is acquired when a lawyer
receives a license to practice law. Becoming a lawyer is a widely varied process around the world. Common to all jurisdictions are requirements of age and competence; some jurisdictions also require citizenship. However, the most varied requirements are those surrounding the preparation for the license, whether it includes obtaining a law degree
, passing an exam
, or serving in an apprenticeship
. In English, admission is also called a law license. Basic requirements vary from country to country:
, prospective lawyers must complete a tertiary level law degree, complete a one year Articled Clerkship, together with a post graduate diploma in legal practice.
, one must first obtained an recognized degree (a bachelor/master/doctor degree), passed the National Judicial Examination, and completed a one year apprenticeship
.
The Bar Association requires a minimum two years of training under supervision. The Bar grants the probationer special permission to appear in front some of the courts.
After two years of the practical training, the probationer submits a written request to be enrolled in the written exams that the Bar held 4 times year. If he mastered the exam within (15/25) then the probationer will be eligible to admit to the verbal exams by the legal committee elected from judges, Professors and senior lawyers. If he/she passed the verbal exam, then it comes to essay stage. Each probationer must write in legal subject and discussed before a committee from senior lawyers which if he/she passed it will lead the probationer to swear the oath before the Minister of Justice. Usually the process takes not less than two and a half and above to accomplish the Bar Association’s requirement to practice law.
. The prerequisite is either a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) degree (an LL.B (Hons)., which requires four years of study) from the local law faculties or a call as a Barrister in the UK or a Certificate in Legal Practice
and a nine month pupillage
.
To enjoy rights of audience in the Courts,a prospective lawyer/advocate must obtain a Qualifying Law Degree (LL.B of three years ) from recognised Pakistani or common law countries university.After that, he or she must undertake a one year of training under a senior lawyer (called Pupillage or Apprenticeship or Internship)at the conclusion of which,he has to take a Bar admission test consisting of multiple choice question paper and an oral test.After that the respective Provincial Bar Council may grant him or her the rights of audience in the lower courts.An advocate enrolled with Provincial Bar Council can practice anywhere in the respective province except the High Courts and Supreme Court of Pakistan. He she will earn rights of audience in the High Courts after a further two years of practice in lower courts and 10 years in High Courts for Supreme Court of Pakistan.
in the Philippines, one must have fulfilled the non-academic and academic requirements.
For non-academic requirements, one must be a Filipino
, be at least 21 years old, be a resident of the Philippines
, and have the moral and other non-academic qualifications needed.
In terms of academic requirements, one must have obtained an undergraduate degree
(with major, focus or concentration in any of the subjects of History
, Economics
, Political Science
, Logic
, English
or Spanish
), has obtained a Bachelor of Laws
degree (or equivalent such as Juris Doctor
) from a law school
recognized by the Secretary of Education
.
They must have also taken and passed (75% general average, with no subject falling below 50%) the Bar Exam, taken the Attorney's Oath before the Supreme Court
, signed the Roll of Attorneys, remain in good standing with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and continually participates in the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education.
. One must pass the required law exams at the Sri Lanka Law College
, and then spend one year in apprenticeship to a practicing attorney. To sit for the exams, students must graduate from the Sri Lanka Law College, or be qualified by gaining a LL.B. from a local or foreign university.
:
one must complete an LL.B. (three years of study) and a LL.M. (which awards the academic title of Candidata Juris, and requires two years of study), followed by a three year apprenticeship, one year as an assistant lawyer, and an exam which has a moot court element.
, which requires the completion of a Bachelor of Laws (or oikeusnotaari, which takes three years), a Master of Laws (or oikeustieteen maisteri), which takes two years, a four year apprenticeship, and the passing of a bar exam which also requires the demonstration of practical skills.
).
's degree in law (which lasts five years) and be admitted to a bar association (The Polish Bar Council or National Chamber of Legal Advisors). There are several ways to gain admission to the bar, including: three years of training followed by the bar exam; five years of legal professional experience followed by the bar exam; a Ph.D. in law followed by either the bar exam or 3 years of legal professional experience; or possession of high academic qualifications in legal sciences (e.g., habilitated doctor or professor). Once admitted to the bar association of one occupation, a lawyer can move to another occupation with little hassle.
or lawyer, but not to practice law. Membership in the bar association requires an LL.M. degree (jur. kandidatexamen, which lasts four and a half years); five years of legal work, at least three of which must be in a law office (either an established firm or one's own firm), and the passing of an oral examination.
comprises three distinct legal jurisdictions:
As such, admission to practice law requires different qualifications in each country of the UK.
Potential barristers must usually complete the one year Bar Professional Training Course (formerly Bar Vocational Course), followed by a year of vocational training known as a pupillage.
, admission to the bar is also commonly known as obtaining one's "law license" ("licence" in Canadian English
).
") to one of the provincial or territorial Law Societies in the various jurisdictions of Canada. As an example, in order to sit for the bar exam, the Law Society of British Columbia requires that a student complete an undergraduate degree
in any discipline (B.A.
of four years), and an undergraduate law degree
(LL.B. and/or B.C.L., three to four years) or Juris Doctor
(three years). Upon obtaining his or her law degree
, the applicant must then successfully complete the bar exam for that jurisdiction, as well as any additional requirements, such as the Professional Legal Training Course (ten weeks). Upon passing the bar exam, the applicant must then complete an apprenticeship
referred to as "articling" (nine or ten months).
degree
(three years) and pass a bar exam. However, the requirements vary between jurisdictions, and there are exceptions to each of the general requirements in some. In a handful of U.S. state
s, one may become an attorney (a so-called country lawyer
) by simply "reading law
" and passing the bar examination, without having to attend law school first (although very few people actually become lawyers that way).
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
receives a license to practice law. Becoming a lawyer is a widely varied process around the world. Common to all jurisdictions are requirements of age and competence; some jurisdictions also require citizenship. However, the most varied requirements are those surrounding the preparation for the license, whether it includes obtaining a law degree
Law degree
A Law degree is an academic degree conferred for studies in law. Such degrees are generally preparation for legal careers; but while their curricula may be reviewed by legal authority, they do not themselves confer a license...
, passing an exam
Bar examination
A bar examination is an examination conducted at regular intervals to determine whether a candidate is qualified to practice law in a given jurisdiction.-Brazil:...
, or serving in an apprenticeship
Reading law
Reading law is the method by which persons in common law countries, particularly the United States, entered the legal profession before the advent of law schools. This usage specifically refers to a means of entering the profession . A small number of U.S...
. In English, admission is also called a law license. Basic requirements vary from country to country:
Australia
In AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, prospective lawyers must complete a tertiary level law degree, complete a one year Articled Clerkship, together with a post graduate diploma in legal practice.
China
In the People's Republic of ChinaPeople's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
, one must first obtained an recognized degree (a bachelor/master/doctor degree), passed the National Judicial Examination, and completed a one year apprenticeship
Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship is a system of training a new generation of practitioners of a skill. Apprentices or protégés build their careers from apprenticeships...
.
Fiji
Fiji requires a Bachelor of Law degree (four years of study), although that requirement may be waived upon completion of another bachelor's degree and/or sufficient legal experience.Hong Kong
Hong Kong makes a distinction between barristers and solicitors. Admission to both professions requires a law degree (either the LL.B., which requires four years of study, or the Juris Doctor, which lasts two years) and the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (which requires nine months). However, the apprenticeship to become a barrister is only one year, while a solicitor must apprentice for two years.India
In India, prospective lawyers must complete an undergraduate law degree (B.A.,Ll.B, which lasts five years) or A graduate law degree (Ll.B which lasts three years), India now requires all the law graduates to appear for an All India Bar Exam graduating after 2009-10.Israel
Israel requires an undergraduate law degree (LL.B., which is a three and a half year program), a one year apprenticeship, and the passing of the bar Examination.Japan
Japan requires an undergraduate degree in any field (which requires four years of study), a Juris Doctor (which lasts two or three years), the passing of the state bar exam, and a 10 month apprenticeship which incorporates additional coursework.Jordan
Jordan has a developed and restricted rules for admission to practice law, It requires and Academic and practical exams for enrollment in the Bar Association. The probationer must hold a Bachelor degree or equivalent and to have a clear history in the police’s records.The Bar Association requires a minimum two years of training under supervision. The Bar grants the probationer special permission to appear in front some of the courts.
After two years of the practical training, the probationer submits a written request to be enrolled in the written exams that the Bar held 4 times year. If he mastered the exam within (15/25) then the probationer will be eligible to admit to the verbal exams by the legal committee elected from judges, Professors and senior lawyers. If he/she passed the verbal exam, then it comes to essay stage. Each probationer must write in legal subject and discussed before a committee from senior lawyers which if he/she passed it will lead the probationer to swear the oath before the Minister of Justice. Usually the process takes not less than two and a half and above to accomplish the Bar Association’s requirement to practice law.
South Korea
South Korean attorneys must complete an undergraduate degree in any subject, obtain a master of law degree (법무석사 과정, a three year program), complete courses at the Judicial Research and Training Institute, and pass the bar examination.Kazakhstan
Lawyers in Kazakhstan must complete an undergraduate law degree and pass the state examination.Malaysia
Malaysia requires advocates and solicitors to be admitted to the Malaysian BarMalaysian Bar
The Malaysian Bar is a professional body which regulates the profession of lawyers in peninsular Malaysia. In Malaysia, there is no distinction between a barrister and a solicitor, in that, it is a fused profession. Membership into the bar is automatic and mandatory. The bar was created under the...
. The prerequisite is either a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) degree (an LL.B (Hons)., which requires four years of study) from the local law faculties or a call as a Barrister in the UK or a Certificate in Legal Practice
Certificate in Legal Practice (Malaysia)
The Certificate in Legal Practice is a course and examination taken by law graduates from outside Malaysia in order to become a qualified lawyer in Malaysia. The examination is conducted by the Legal Profession Qualifying Board of Malaysia and is governed by the Legal Profession Act 1976...
and a nine month pupillage
Pupillage
A pupillage, in England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland, is the barrister's equivalent of the training contract that a solicitor undertakes...
.
New Zealand
New Zealand requires an undergraduate law degree (LL.B., which lasts four years), and completion of the Professional Legal Studies Course (which lasts five months).Pakistan
Lawyers in Pakistan are called Advocates.To enjoy rights of audience in the Courts,a prospective lawyer/advocate must obtain a Qualifying Law Degree (LL.B of three years ) from recognised Pakistani or common law countries university.After that, he or she must undertake a one year of training under a senior lawyer (called Pupillage or Apprenticeship or Internship)at the conclusion of which,he has to take a Bar admission test consisting of multiple choice question paper and an oral test.After that the respective Provincial Bar Council may grant him or her the rights of audience in the lower courts.An advocate enrolled with Provincial Bar Council can practice anywhere in the respective province except the High Courts and Supreme Court of Pakistan. He she will earn rights of audience in the High Courts after a further two years of practice in lower courts and 10 years in High Courts for Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Philippines
To practice lawLegal education in the Philippines
Legal education in the Philippines is developed and offered by Philippine law schools, supervised by the Legal Education Board, that has replaced the Commission on Higher Education in respect to legal education. The Supreme Court regulates admission to the Bar and administers the Bar Examinations...
in the Philippines, one must have fulfilled the non-academic and academic requirements.
For non-academic requirements, one must be a Filipino
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
, be at least 21 years old, be a resident of the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, and have the moral and other non-academic qualifications needed.
In terms of academic requirements, one must have obtained an undergraduate degree
Undergraduate degree
An undergraduate degree is a colloquial term for an academic degree taken by a person who has completed undergraduate courses. It is usually offered at an institution of higher education, such as a university...
(with major, focus or concentration in any of the subjects of History
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
, Economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
, Political Science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
, Logic
Logic
In philosophy, Logic is the formal systematic study of the principles of valid inference and correct reasoning. Logic is used in most intellectual activities, but is studied primarily in the disciplines of philosophy, mathematics, semantics, and computer science...
, English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
or Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
), has obtained a Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate, or bachelor, degree in law originating in England and offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree...
degree (or equivalent such as Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
) from a law school
Law school
A law school is an institution specializing in legal education.- Law degrees :- Canada :...
recognized by the Secretary of Education
Commission on Higher Education (Philippines)
The Commission on Higher Education of the Philippines, , abbreviated as CHED. The CHED is attached to the Office of the President for administrative purposes...
.
They must have also taken and passed (75% general average, with no subject falling below 50%) the Bar Exam, taken the Attorney's Oath before the Supreme Court
Supreme Court of the Philippines
The Supreme Court of the Philippines is the Philippines' highest judicial court, as well as the court of last resort. The court consists of 14 Associate Justices and 1 Chief Justice...
, signed the Roll of Attorneys, remain in good standing with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and continually participates in the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education.
Singapore
Singapore requires an undergraduate law degree (LL.B., which requires four years, or 3 years for a second entry LL.B.), completion of the Postgraduate Practical Law Course (which lasts 5 months), and the completion of a six month apprenticeship.Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka requires an attorney to be admitted and enrolled as an Attorney-at-Law of the Supreme Court of Sri LankaSupreme Court of Sri Lanka
The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka is the highest court of the nation of Sri Lanka. The Supreme Court is the highest and final judicial instance of record and is empowered to exercise its powers, subject to the provisions of the Constitution. The Court has ultimate appellate jurisdiction in...
. One must pass the required law exams at the Sri Lanka Law College
Sri Lanka Law College
Sri Lanka Law College was established as the Ceylon Law College under the Council of Legal Education in 1874 in order to impart a formal legal education to those who wished to be lawyers in Ceylon...
, and then spend one year in apprenticeship to a practicing attorney. To sit for the exams, students must graduate from the Sri Lanka Law College, or be qualified by gaining a LL.B. from a local or foreign university.
Europe
Among European Union members, the Diplomas Directive (Directive no. 89/48/EEC) states that those who have obtained a license or diploma in one state can pursue the profession in another state. Thus, it is not difficult for a law degree in one jurisdiction to be used as a qualifying degree in another jurisdiction within the European Union.Belgium
In Belgium, a prospective lawyer ("advocaat" in Dutch, "avocat"/"avocate" in French) must complete a Bachelor in Law (which requires three years of study), a Master in Law (which requires two years of study), a three year apprenticeship, the CAPA course of study, and must pass the final bar exam.Czech Republic
A person must meet the following conditions in order to be admitted to practice law in the Czech republicCzech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
:
- full capacityCapacity (law)The capacity of both natural and legal persons determines whether they may make binding amendments to their rights, duties and obligations, such as getting married or merging, entering into contracts, making gifts, or writing a valid will...
- Master degree in law acquired at a Czech law school or analogous education acquired at a foreign university, if such an education is officially acknowledged as equivalent by an international treaty, by which the Czech republic is bound, or if a particular enactment acknowledges such a foreign education, or if it is acknowledged due to its content and extent from the point of view of knowledge and skill as sufficient for practicing law by the Advocacy Enactment
- at least three years of legal apprenticeship
- personal integrity (absence of conviction for deliberate crime)
- absence of disciplinary punishment of prohibition of law practice (if a person was already a law practitioner)
- absence of being stricken from the list of law practitioners because of personal bankruptcy
- absence of labour engagement or officiary engagement, except of engagement:
- to the Bar Association or to similar organisation in other EU state
- to a law practitioner or to a legal personality established in order to provide legal services
- to a University as a lecturer
- as a scientific worker of Academy of Sciences of the Czech RepublicAcademy of Sciences of the Czech RepublicThe Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic was established in 1992 by the Czech National Council as the Czech successor of the former Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences. The Academy is the leading non-university public research institution in the Czech Republic...
- passing the bar exam
- taking the pledge
Denmark
In Denmark, to use the title of advokatAdvokat
Advokat is the title reserved exclusively for lawyers who are duly authorized to practice law in the Scandinavian countries - Denmark, Norway, Sweden and in the Baltic countries - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania....
one must complete an LL.B. (three years of study) and a LL.M. (which awards the academic title of Candidata Juris, and requires two years of study), followed by a three year apprenticeship, one year as an assistant lawyer, and an exam which has a moot court element.
France
To become a French lawyer an "avocat"(male)or "avocate"(female), one must obtain an undergraduate degree (licence, three years), a first year of Masters of Laws (diplôme de maîtrise en droit) so a total of 4 years of study in a Law University, complete the exam to enter one of the CRFPA (Centre Régional de Formation à la Profession d'Avocat) which provides a course of eighteen months and results in the award of the requisite Certificat d'aptitude à la profession d'avocat (CAPA).Finland
Anyone can practice law in Finland, not just lawyers. However, only those licensed by the bar association may use the title asianajajaAdvokat
Advokat is the title reserved exclusively for lawyers who are duly authorized to practice law in the Scandinavian countries - Denmark, Norway, Sweden and in the Baltic countries - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania....
, which requires the completion of a Bachelor of Laws (or oikeusnotaari, which takes three years), a Master of Laws (or oikeustieteen maisteri), which takes two years, a four year apprenticeship, and the passing of a bar exam which also requires the demonstration of practical skills.
Germany
In Germany, a lawyer (Rechtsanwalt) must be a member of a local bar association. The requirements for membership include an undergraduate law degree (Rechtswissenschaft or Diplom-Jurist, which requires about four and a half years and includes the First State Exam), a two year apprenticeship, and the passing of the Juristisches Staatsexamen (Second State Exam).Greece
Greece requires that a lawyer (δικηγόρος) be a member of a local bar association. Requirements include an undergraduate law degree, which lasts at least four years, an eighteen month apprenticeship, and the passing of the bar.Ireland
Following the English tradition, Ireland has both barristers and solicitors. To become a solicitor, one must complete an undergraduate degree or pass the Preliminary Examination. One must then pass the Final Examination, complete a two year apprenticeship, and finish the concurrent Professional Practice Courses. To become a barrister, one must complete an undergraduate law degree (BCL, which lasts three years or LL.B. which last four years) or the Kings Inns Diploma in Legal Studies which lasts two years, obtain the Degree of Barrister-at-Law from the Honorable Society of King's Inns, and finish a one year pupillage (known as devillingDevilling
Devilling is the period of training, pupillage or junior work undertaken by a person wishing to become an advocate in one of the legal systems of the United Kingdom or Ireland.-Scotland:...
).
Italy
Italy mandates membership in an Italian bar association, which requires completion of an undergraduate law degree (Laurea in Scienze Giuridiche, three years), a graduate law degree (Laurea Specialistica in Giurisprudenza (a two years program which confers the title of Dottore Magistrale in Giurisprudenza), or simply the one-cicle five years master degree (Laurea a ciclo unico Magistrale in Giurisprudenza)), a two year apprenticeship, and passing of the professional exam.Malta
Malta's legal practice if fused and legal practice is regulated by the Chamber of Advocates. Licence to practice law is granted by way of a warrant issued on completion of the Doctorate of Laws (LLD) programme from Malta University (or a comparable international programme) and an admission exam in English and Maltese. Lawyers holding rights to practice in other jurisdictions can apply for an exemption from local practice prohibitions allowing them to offer services under their foreign title though permission is issued by discretion and requires three years local legal practice and a comparable licence elsewhere.Netherlands
In the Netherlands, to be a licensed lawyer (Advocaat), one must complete an undergraduate law degree (Bacheloropleiding or LL.B, which is three years of study), the master of law degree (doctorandus in law before implementation of the Bologna Process and conferring the meester title, which is a one year LL.M. program), and a three year apprenticeship.Poland
In Poland, a lawyer (adwokat or radca prawny) must complete a magisterMagister (degree)
Magister is an academic degree used in various systems of higher education.-Argentina:...
's degree in law (which lasts five years) and be admitted to a bar association (The Polish Bar Council or National Chamber of Legal Advisors). There are several ways to gain admission to the bar, including: three years of training followed by the bar exam; five years of legal professional experience followed by the bar exam; a Ph.D. in law followed by either the bar exam or 3 years of legal professional experience; or possession of high academic qualifications in legal sciences (e.g., habilitated doctor or professor). Once admitted to the bar association of one occupation, a lawyer can move to another occupation with little hassle.
Russia
It is not necessary to have a license to practice law in Russia as a legal consultant, but only the members of the Russian bar associations (advocates) are permitted to appear in court on criminal matters. In Russia, an advocate must obtain an undergraduate degree in law (four years) and a Specialist in Law or Jurist degree (one year), then pass oral examinations (although top graduates are exempt from portions of the exam).Spain
In Spain, a lawyer uses the title of Licenciado/Abogado(male) or Licenciada/Abogada(female), and must be a member of a local bar association, such as the bar association of Madrid. Membership requirements for all bar associations are the same. The only requirement is a graduate law degree, the Titulo de Licenciado en Derecho, which requires five years of study.Sweden
In Sweden, membership in the bar association is required to use the title of advokatAdvokat
Advokat is the title reserved exclusively for lawyers who are duly authorized to practice law in the Scandinavian countries - Denmark, Norway, Sweden and in the Baltic countries - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania....
or lawyer, but not to practice law. Membership in the bar association requires an LL.M. degree (jur. kandidatexamen, which lasts four and a half years); five years of legal work, at least three of which must be in a law office (either an established firm or one's own firm), and the passing of an oral examination.
Switzerland
In Switzerland, lawyers must complete a Bachelor of Law (BLaw, which lasts 3 years), a Master of Law (MLaw, which lasts three terms), a one year to two years apprenticeship (depending on the Canton), and pass the bar examination.United Kingdom
The United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
comprises three distinct legal jurisdictions:
- English law in England and WalesEngland and WalesEngland and Wales is a jurisdiction within the United Kingdom. It consists of England and Wales, two of the four countries of the United Kingdom...
- Northern IrelandNorthern IrelandNorthern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
law in Northern Ireland - Scots law in ScotlandScotlandScotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
As such, admission to practice law requires different qualifications in each country of the UK.
England and Wales
In England and Wales, one does not have to be admitted to the bar to practice law, but qualifications are required to become a solicitor or barrister, who have special rights of audience in Court. For both the solicitor and barrister professions, one must either obtain an undergraduate law degree (LL.B., which typically lasts three years), or complete the Common Professional Examination/Graduate Diploma in Law (which lasts one year after completing an undergraduate degree). Potential solicitors are then required to complete the Legal Practice Course which lasts one year, then a two year apprenticeship under a training contract, during which the trainee solicitor has to complete a Professional Skills Course.Potential barristers must usually complete the one year Bar Professional Training Course (formerly Bar Vocational Course), followed by a year of vocational training known as a pupillage.
Scotland
Scotland requires an undergraduate law degree (LL.B., which lasts four years if taken as a first degree (with honours) three if taken as an Ordinary Degree and two years if taken as a graduate entry degree), a Diploma in Legal Practice (one year), and completion of a two year apprenticeship together with the Professional Competence Course (which lasts seven days).The Americas
In U.S. EnglishU.S. English
U.S. English is the umbrella name for two American political advocacy groups founded in 1983 by Senator S. I. Hayakawa and Dr. John Tanton to advocate the adoption of the English language as the official language of the United States of America....
, admission to the bar is also commonly known as obtaining one's "law license" ("licence" in Canadian English
Canadian English
Canadian English is the variety of English spoken in Canada. English is the first language, or "mother tongue", of approximately 24 million Canadians , and more than 28 million are fluent in the language...
).
Canada
Canadian applicants to the bar must obtain admission (referred to as the "call to the barCall to the bar
The Call to the Bar is a legal term of art in most common law jurisdictions where persons must be qualified to be allowed to argue in court on behalf of another party, and are then said to have been "called to the bar" or to have received a "call to the bar"...
") to one of the provincial or territorial Law Societies in the various jurisdictions of Canada. As an example, in order to sit for the bar exam, the Law Society of British Columbia requires that a student complete an undergraduate degree
Undergraduate degree
An undergraduate degree is a colloquial term for an academic degree taken by a person who has completed undergraduate courses. It is usually offered at an institution of higher education, such as a university...
in any discipline (B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
of four years), and an undergraduate law degree
Law degree
A Law degree is an academic degree conferred for studies in law. Such degrees are generally preparation for legal careers; but while their curricula may be reviewed by legal authority, they do not themselves confer a license...
(LL.B. and/or B.C.L., three to four years) or Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
(three years). Upon obtaining his or her law degree
Law degree
A Law degree is an academic degree conferred for studies in law. Such degrees are generally preparation for legal careers; but while their curricula may be reviewed by legal authority, they do not themselves confer a license...
, the applicant must then successfully complete the bar exam for that jurisdiction, as well as any additional requirements, such as the Professional Legal Training Course (ten weeks). Upon passing the bar exam, the applicant must then complete an apprenticeship
Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship is a system of training a new generation of practitioners of a skill. Apprentices or protégés build their careers from apprenticeships...
referred to as "articling" (nine or ten months).
Mexico
Lawyers in Mexico are required to complete a law degree (Licenciado en Derecho, a five year program), and obtain a practice certificate (cedula professional) from the Bureau of Professions of the Ministry of Education (Direction General de Profesiones), which officially certifies the license by virtue of the law degree.United States of America
Lawyers in the United States must be admitted by each U.S. jurisdiction in which legal advice is rendered (a U.S. state, commonwealth or territory), which generally requires that they complete an undergraduate degree in any discipline (usually four years), obtain a Juris DoctorJuris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
degree
Academic degree
An academic degree is a position and title within a college or university that is usually awarded in recognition of the recipient having either satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study or having conducted a scholarly endeavour deemed worthy of his or her admission to the degree...
(three years) and pass a bar exam. However, the requirements vary between jurisdictions, and there are exceptions to each of the general requirements in some. In a handful of U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
s, one may become an attorney (a so-called country lawyer
Country Lawyer
In the United States, a country lawyer, or county-seat lawyer, is an attorney who has completed little or no formal legal training and has become a member of a county bar or a state bar after "reading law"; traditionally, these lawyers practiced general law in a rural setting, or on the frontier...
) by simply "reading law
Reading law
Reading law is the method by which persons in common law countries, particularly the United States, entered the legal profession before the advent of law schools. This usage specifically refers to a means of entering the profession . A small number of U.S...
" and passing the bar examination, without having to attend law school first (although very few people actually become lawyers that way).