http://www.llm-guide.com/board/36130 en Requirements to practice law in AU? - LLM GUIDE Discussion Board Tue, 23 Oct 2007 11:56:00 +0200 http://www.llm-guide.com/board/36130/last#36130 Hi Guys! I am new here but it is obviously that the discussion may be really helpful for me while taking decision to study in Australia. I am from Ukraine holding the Ukrainian “Master of Laws” degree. The system of education here is something very different from the Australian. Just to have an understanding, I had obtained such degree upon completion of 5-years study in one of the Ukrainian Law Universities. I have 9-years experience of legal practicing in Ukraine. So came, I decided to move to Australia. Thus, I am to enter one of the Australian Universities. Thinking about University of Adelaide and Sydney University in order to complete the LLM by coursework. But to tell the truth, I am totally confused with the requirements to start practicing law in Australia. Does LLM degree obtained in a respectable University of Australia is enough for further legal practice? Do I have to study in specific University? Do I have to obtain any additional courses upon completion of LLM degree? Would anyone be so kind to indicate the link to the site where I can find all information for international graduates willing to practice law in Australia? Mon, 29 Oct 2007 06:08:00 +0200 http://www.llm-guide.com/board/36130/last#36237 Dear Guyliana, you are from civil law jurisdiction and Australia is common law.There is substantial diffrence so you have to complete further study in australia(basic eleven courses)+Practial legal training or One year clearkship.LLM will not itself help you to get admission as lawyer. Regards Usman advocate Mon, 29 Oct 2007 08:00:00 +0200 http://www.llm-guide.com/board/36130/last#36241 Thank you very much for your reply! So as far as I understand, there is difference between admissions to practice law in the US and Australia, as in the US it is enough to obtain an LLM degree to practice law and to be employed at a good law company. Am I right? With this regard, I do not understand the purpose of LLM courses. Would you be so kind to explain their meaning to me? I have also found out the 2-year LLM courses (perhaps LLM in Business Law) - I have reviewed the subjects and realize that for a good lawyer who understands main principles this course might be enough to be employed in some private practice company. Please correct me if I am wrong. Tue, 30 Oct 2007 00:19:00 +0200 http://www.llm-guide.com/board/36130/last#36252 Hi, Basically, you will need to identify the Australian State you want to be admitted into. Thereafter, find out who is the assessing authority and send your qualifications to them. It is likely that you would be required to complete majority (if not all) the subjects in a basic law degree (i.e. JD or LLB courses). I have a classmate from Russia who is exempted from the elective component of the JD program and is required to complete all compulsory courses within the program in order to gain admission. I can assure you that the LLM would not enable you to practise in Australia. I do, however, know that universities like La Trobe do allow you to study basic law subjects under the LLM degree but the number of universities which allow you to study basic law subjects in LLM are rare. Alternatively, if you are required to complete a substantantial amount of coursework, you might want to look into completing a JD with University of Melbourne, Monash or ANU? In regard to the practical training requirements, I am unsure what you must complete as it is based substantially on your experience etc. You might be required to undertake the whole component altogether or might be exempted - would depend on the jurisdictions well. You might want to browse through relevant posts in the AU Forum as this issue has been enquired about several times :) Let me know if i can help u further! Regards Greg Wed, 07 Nov 2007 16:11:00 +0200 http://www.llm-guide.com/board/36130/last#36484 Ok, so I just want a clarification: I'm at law school in the U.S. right now but was thinking that I might want to get a law degree in Australia as well. How would I go about doing that? If an L.L.M degree is sufficient, that would be perfect. If not, then what exactly do I need in addition to a J.D. from a U.S. law school?