The Student Room Group

CPE/GDL - Validity Abroad?

As you may have seen in another thread I am unsure whether to study law as a LLB or on a CPE/GDL level, (I am a business studies graduate).

My question here is that is doing the CPE a disadvantage if eventually one wants to practice law abroad. I guess I am thinking of the usual countries ... Australia, USA, as well as countries like China and India ....... since those 2 countries might be the places to be in 2020.

For example the LLB I applied for in Southampton states "Our LLB programme is accredited for professional purposes in Singapore, Malaysia and Cyprus, as well as traditional Commonwealth jurisdictions". I imagine other undergrad law courses have similar accreditation too.

Or is it the case that once you have successfully completed your training contract and are a fully qualified solicitor, the ability to practice in the new jurisdiction is based upon links between the (English) Law Society and the appropriate local law board?

Any advice appreciated, thanks :smile:
Reply 1
In order to practise overseas you will need to be qualified in that jurisdiction.

Some countries (such as Australia where I practise now) only have a few extra requirements to become qualified as an Australian lawyer (provided you did the LLB) and many firms will take you on before you have undertaken those extra exams.

The fact that you might go down the CPE route would not necessarily be a disadvantage as the CPE would provide you with the necessary exemptions to get you to the same level as an LLB applicant. Obviously, that will depend on the relevant jurisdiction you're interested in. Overseas recruiters will be far more interested in the experience you have and, most importantly, the firm you worked for in the UK. All the Poms I know out here worked for top 20 City firms in the UK and came over between 2 and 5 years PQE.

Your best chance of working overseas is to work in a country which is based heavily on UK law - Oz and NZ are the best examples. The US will require a lot of further study (NY bar exam etc). China would, I expect, be extremely difficult to requalify into not least because of the language barrier.
chalks
In order to practise overseas you will need to be qualified in that jurisdiction.

Some countries (such as Australia where I practise now) only have a few extra requirements to become qualified as an Australian lawyer (provided you did the LLB) and many firms will take you on before you have undertaken those extra exams.

The fact that you might go down the CPE route would not necessarily be a disadvantage as the CPE would provide you with the necessary exemptions to get you to the same level as an LLB applicant. Obviously, that will depend on the relevant jurisdiction you're interested in. Overseas recruiters will be far more interested in the experience you have and, most importantly, the firm you worked for in the UK. All the Poms I know out here worked for top 20 City firms in the UK and came over between 2 and 5 years PQE.

Your best chance of working overseas is to work in a country which is based heavily on UK law - Oz and NZ are the best examples. The US will require a lot of further study (NY bar exam etc). China would, I expect, be extremely difficult to requalify into not least because of the language barrier.

Whatabout places like Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore etc.?
Reply 3
I don't know specifically. Contact their individual Law Societies. Generally, the more similar their legal system to the UK, the less likely it is that you'll have to do a large of further study/exams to requalify.

Plus, you don't always need to be qualified in the local jurisdiction to work there. There are lots of UK lawyers working for the MC/top 20 firms in HK/Singapore servicing clients whose deals are to be subject to English law.

Chalks
Reply 4
Fair enough, Aus and NZ sound like attractive prospects but still why shun the big bucks that can be made in London?
Reply 5
SSU Ambassador
Fair enough, Aus and NZ sound like attractive prospects but still why shun the big bucks that can be made in London?


I guess it depends why you want a career in law!
Reply 6
If you decide to practice in the States you will have serious problems requalifying in all states apart from California if you were to take the CPE route.

New York, which is one of the most liberal in terms of its entry requirements to take the bar exam, does not allow CPE's, even if they go on to qualify as solicitors to take the exam. Apparently the Law Society is trying to negotiate with the New York Bar over this, they are however eligible to take the Californian bar exam. Thus if you wished to take the New York Bar you would need a three year non distance-learning common law degree (it would also appear a two year LLB with a US LLM would be sufficient). Most other US States require a three year ABA approved JD.
Reply 7
Thanks to all who have replied.

It is not an easy choice to make.

I could "save" 2 years of study, only to find that I cannot move somewhere else because of the way in which I qualified to be a lawyer here in the UK.

I would like to work abroad to experience the different cultures and feel the blazin' Southern Hemisphere sun in December! Unfortunately I can only fluently speak English. I imagine temping in law offices whilst travelling in the USA or Australia is more appealing to my CV than washing dishes! Obviously I'd have to secure the right permits (I am not sure as to how easy that is).

Is qualifying via the CPE route problematic for Australia?

So far California and Australia appear to be the most appealing.
Reply 8
Ok,

First up: "Fair enough, Aus and NZ sound like attractive prospects but still why shun the big bucks that can be made in London?". Please reconsider this question when you've been slogging away in the city for a few years! Big bucks are all very well, but if you don't have the time to spend them - what's the point? Work/life balance is essential. I sit here on a glorious Sydney morning with the prospect of a full weekend of surfing some of the best waves yet to hit the coast this year.

CPE route is no problem if you want to requalify in Oz.
Reply 9
chalks
I sit here on a glorious Sydney morning with the prospect of a full weekend of surfing some of the best waves yet to hit the coast this year.


Jealous!
Reply 10
Hmmmm, reckon it might be a weekend for watching the chargers rather than risking my own neck:

From the Realsurf website (http://www.realsurf.com/) :

"[Weather] models are currently calling for 6-8 metres straight south swell at 15 sec for late tomorrow night into Sunday morning. I think 20-30 ft faces on bomb sets at the various bombies is not out of the question by Sunday morning.

In the ten years we've been doing RealSurf, we've never seen this combination of size in a forecast. Cape Sorell off Tasmania is currently showing 5-7 metres at 12 sec. So that storm system is definitely the goods."
Reply 11
Sounds gorgeous. Have you been bonding much in Bondi beach?
Reply 12
Respect to Chalks ..... That type of lifestyle all sounds so nice compared to a wet weekend in Clacton!

Working in London (in my opinion) is only tolerable for so long - I already have 5 years in accountancy experience in various public sector and venture capital firms ...... I look forward to leaving the packed trains, rain etc.

But as far as I can see in terms of international working opportunities it seems like the LLB qualification is advantageous and should be a factor to all those who want to study something else at undergrad level but want to be a lawyer and work abroad.
Could one take the New York Bar Exam after completing a non-distance learning part-time UK LLB?