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University of London - recognised to do Bar exam in Australia ?

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clint

Joined: 14 Mar 2008
Posts: 1
University of London - recognised to do Bar exam in Australia ?
Sat Mar 15, 2008 09:43 AM
Hi Gavin,

If i am not wrong, you do not have to take the LPC in UK as the PLT in Australia will suffice. However, if you were to complete the LPC in UK, NSW might exempt you from some subjects within the Australian PLT. I am not sure how generous NSW is when it comes to granting exemptions but they do consider exemptions if you are able to demonstrate having prior PLT knowledge (in your case the LPC).

Hopet his helps!


Best Regards
Greg


Dear All

I might be a little further along the process than some, but may be able to shed some light. I have a UK qualifying law degree from the UK and having applied for exemptions with NSW LPAB (admission board) I was advised i'd have to study 12 addtional units, with an LLB you'll be looking at 6-8. The LPC would exempt you from all subjects bar Constitiational Law, then following this you're required to do the PLT essentially 6 months - 3 study/3 work exp and then you're qualified. (most of this info can be found on the lawlink site)

The reason i found myself reading this blog is that i'm in the process of appealing to the LPAB for more exemptions, as after completing 5 of the subjects in the last few months I relised i might have been alittle quick to accept the decision. I've heard of people only having to do 3-6 subjects with an LLB. The LPAB have essentially equated the BA law with the CPE from the UK it would seem...

You may know that many unis in the UK such as Oxbridge only offer BA law degrees, the difference between my degree and most LLBs is 1-2 elective subjects so i'm going to ask my uni to contact the LPAB and make the case.

I would love to know what subjects any of you have been exempted from if you have applied yet. It seems that the exemption criteria used by the board lacks transparency and consistency.

Thanks in advance

Clint
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Sh14

Joined: 09 Aug 2008
Posts: 5
University of London - recognised to do Bar exam in Australia ?
Tue Sep 09, 2008 08:59 AM
hi clint,
I read your post and have a couple of queries i'd like to clear out. I am in my 3rd year of the UK LLB and would like to apply for exemptions to the NSW BOard. Typically, how many more units would I have to be studying? Also, was your appeal successful and if you received any further exemptions? Thanks in advance!
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Shaun_Benater

Joined: 18 Aug 2008
Posts: 5
University of London - recognised to do Bar exam in Australia ?
Tue Sep 09, 2008 10:00 AM
Hi all,

I am admitted as a solicitor in the UK. Is this an advantage when attempting to get admitted in Australia?

Thanks
Shaun
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Gregor2009

Joined: 25 Jan 2007
Posts: 548
University of London - recognised to do Bar exam in Australia ?
Tue Sep 09, 2008 10:03 AM
Hi Shaun,

As far as I am aware, it would depend on which state you are applying to. I think the NSW Board may consider the experience you have obtained in your training contract towards some 'practical' components you might ordinarily have to satisfy as a UK Law Graduate (rather than Solicitor). It would definitely be advantageous. However, I suspect they will still require you to complete subjects like Australian Constitutional Law and Australian Administrative Law etc.

I hope this helps, perhaps someone else might be able to supplement my response!


Cheers,
Greg
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Sh14

Joined: 09 Aug 2008
Posts: 5
University of London - recognised to do Bar exam in Australia ?
Tue Sep 09, 2008 11:22 AM
hi clint,
I read your post and have a couple of queries i'd like to clear out. I am in my 3rd year of the UK LLB and would like to apply for exemptions to the NSW BOard. Typically, how many more units would I have to be studying? Also, was your appeal successful and if you received any further exemptions? Thanks in advance!

If anybody else can also help me with this pls feel free to reply.. thanks.
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Gregor2009

Joined: 25 Jan 2007
Posts: 548
University of London - recognised to do Bar exam in Australia ?
Tue Sep 09, 2008 03:01 PM
Hi Sh14,

Personally, i think your assessment outcome will somewhat be similar to that of Shaun (see earlier post) - i.e. you have to complete Australian Constitutional Law and Australian Administrative Law. However, as you have not had any practical experience, they would probably require you to undertake the entire Practical Legal Training Diploma or undertake a 1 year clerkship with a law firm before qualifying.

Hope that this assists.


Cheers,
Greg
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Sh14

Joined: 09 Aug 2008
Posts: 5
University of London - recognised to do Bar exam in Australia ?
Tue Sep 09, 2008 05:29 PM
hey thanks! well i guess i will have to try my luck:)
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Sh14

Joined: 09 Aug 2008
Posts: 5
University of London - recognised to do Bar exam in Australia ?
Wed Nov 26, 2008 04:13 PM
hi.. i'd really appreciate if anyone could tell me how long the process of evaluation by the Board of legal education takes to determine how many more units have to be undertaken in order to be elligible to do the bar in Australia?
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Gregor2009

Joined: 25 Jan 2007
Posts: 548
University of London - recognised to do Bar exam in Australia ?
Wed Nov 26, 2008 10:42 PM
It depends on the body you are applying to - different States have different assessment bodies. There is no fix time line really!!

Sorry if this isn't too helpful but it really depends on the body! Probably 2- 4 weeks I guess?


Cheers
G
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ymw888

Joined: 02 Dec 2008
Posts: 2
Foreign Law Degree to be admitted in Australia
Wed Dec 03, 2008 06:54 AM
Dear Greg,

I am a Taiwanese lawyer who did postgraduate law degrees in the US and China and have also been admitted to practice in China and New York. Could you shed some light into the best way to be admitted into Queensland or NSW bars? Given the age, redoing an LL.B. would not seem to be an option... Thank you very much!

ymw888
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Gregor2009

Joined: 25 Jan 2007
Posts: 548
Foreign Law Degree to be admitted in Australia
Wed Dec 03, 2008 11:45 PM
Hi ymw888,

I have had friends in law school you are practising lawyers in China (not Taiwan) and they were required to complete the entire LLB/JD degree less the elective component. In general, I would say that you would probably be required to complete at least 1.5 yrs of study to 2.5 years - depending on the State you apply to.

The postgraduate degree from US you have will probably exempt you from the elective component of the LLB/JD component so it would not be much assistance in terms of reducing your period of study. There might be a possibility if you indicate to the relevant authorities in Australia assessing your application that you completed some of the LLM (I am assuming) courses with US JD students. I am not sure if you did any of these. Courses in US that were completed in JD programs may assist you in reducing the number of compulsory LLB/JD courses you have to complete in Australia.

I hope that this helps? Best would be to decide on the Australian State and then send in your credentials for assessment!

Cheers,
G
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ymw888

Joined: 02 Dec 2008
Posts: 2
Foreign Law Degree to be admitted in Australia
Tue Dec 09, 2008 10:01 AM
Dear G,

Thanks much. In this case I am considering applying to JD directly to save time. Would you know which Aus Law Schools offer a JD program and whether or not they require LSAT (seems that only Melbourne requires LSAT score)?

If I do not go for formal degree programs, would there be any alternative institutions (say school of continuing education or online programs) that offer the same courses but are more flexible in terms of school hours and charge less?

Thanks again.

ymw888
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Gregor2009

Joined: 25 Jan 2007
Posts: 548
Foreign Law Degree to be admitted in Australia
Wed Dec 31, 2008 08:19 AM
Hello ymw888,

Sorry for the slight delay in replying.

1. Yes, you are right - the Melbourne JD is the only one which requires LSAT scores.

2. You can always enrol in LLB/JD courses on a non-award basis (bridging). There is no need to complete an entire degree if your exemption/credit towards an Australian LLB/JD is excessive and there is no point in completing an entire Australian LLB/JD (or even 50%). Most UK qualified lawyers who attend Australian law schools complete subjects in a non-award basis/manner because they are only required to complete 3-4 courses and its pointless to complete a LLB which requires 24-32 courses!

3. RMIT has an online JD program - recognition is of course much lower. USQ also has an online JD program. These institutions generally charge same rates as on-campus studies. Most JD programs are usually pricey given the accelerated nature and the prestige attached to it. I am afraid there are no cheap JD courses out there! Might want to look at Scholarships offered by Australian Government.


Cheers,
G
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