Working as a Lawyer in Canada with a UK Law degree?

I was told by a Canadian guy at my Uni that you can become a Lawyer in Canada with a UK Law degree, and that the Law system is very similar between the countries. Is this true?

Reply 1

Erinspad

1

Original post by zigglr

I was told by a Canadian guy at my Uni that you can become a Lawyer in Canada with a UK Law degree, and that the Law system is very similar between the countries. Is this true?

You can become a lawyer in Canada with a UK law degree.. but it is not like you can fly over and start practicing with your UK degree alone.

First, you would have to get your degree accredited through the NCA (National Committee on Accreditation). You would do a year of self study, and write 4-7 challenge exams. some are general, and others are specific to Canadian law.

From here you are eligible to write the licensing exam which allows you to move onto the next step.

Assuming you pass all of them, you will then have to spend a year articling in Canada with a Canadian lawyer. Like training contracts, these positions can be hard to find. Alternatively, at least in Ontario (I'm not sure about the other provinces) you can do a Legal Practice Program (LLP) offered by Ryerson University. There is only one English-language program for this in the province.

For what it's worth - I'm a Canadian law student who will be completing my law degree in the UK, so I've looked into this process quite a bit :smile:

Reply 2

zigglr

OP

18

Original post by Erinspad

You can become a lawyer in Canada with a UK law degree.. but it is not like you can fly over and start practicing with your UK degree alone.

First, you would have to get your degree accredited through the NCA (National Committee on Accreditation). You would do a year of self study, and write 4-7 challenge exams. some are general, and others are specific to Canadian law.

From here you are eligible to write the licensing exam which allows you to move onto the next step.

Assuming you pass all of them, you will then have to spend a year articling in Canada with a Canadian lawyer. Like training contracts, these positions can be hard to find. Alternatively, at least in Ontario (I'm not sure about the other provinces) you can do a Legal Practice Program (LLP) offered by Ryerson University. There is only one English-language program for this in the province.

For what it's worth - I'm a Canadian law student who will be completing my law degree in the UK, so I've looked into this process quite a bit :smile:

So it would take about 2 years to become a Lawyer in Canada after completing the LLB Law degree here?

Reply 3

Erinspad

1

Original post by zigglr

So it would take about 2 years to become a Lawyer in Canada after completing the LLB Law degree here?

Pretty much, yeah. Give or a take some time on either end of that. It isn't impossible, but it definitely is a process :smile:

Reply 4

danielcs

You would be considered a straight from high school student though for the NCA. With just an LLB you will need to obtain ten credits from a Canadian university, or two years of school at a full course load (you can do 6 a year + summer school if you want). If you do an llm you will need to only do 5 credits. Also it should be mentioned that unless you are at oxbridge, or a top ten school finding a job will prove a challenge,especially in Ontario. You will mostly be constrained to High Street size firms.

Reply 5

NAYADO

1

Certainly! Here's a concise rewrite of your statement:

Reply 6

NAYADO

1

I hold a Master's degree in Business Administration from UK and another in Communications Studies from Ghana with a bachelor's in Sociology and Information Studies. Now, I'm looking to transition into Law with the aim of becoming a Solicitor or Barrister. What are the guidelines?

Working as a Lawyer in Canada with a UK Law degree?

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