Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
degrees
http://www.prep.com
http://www.lawschoolbound.org
http://www.lsatstudygroup.com
http://www.lawschoolbound.ca
Those of you who are considering law school in North America must understand
what North American law degrees are, how they relate to the process of
becoming a lawyer, and the difference between an ABA (American Bar
Association) approved J.D. and a non-ABA approved J.D. Furthermore, you
should understand how the joint LL.B./J.D. programs work at Canadian law
schools (For an article on LL.B./J.D. programs in general see:
http://www.prep.com/LW.pdf)
All of the U.S. states and Canadian provinces (with the exception of Louisiana
and Quebec) are based on the “common law” tradition. Quebec and Louisiana
are based on the “civil” law tradition. This article will focus on the common law
degrees. In the United States law schools award the J.D. (Juris Doctor). Canada
is part of the British Commonwealth. Canadian law schools, until recently, have
awarded the LL.B. (Bachelor of Laws).
1. In the U.S., the J.D. is a graduate degree. People attend law school in the
U.S. after having earned a bachelors degree; and
2. The J.D. provides the academic qualification to become admitted to the
bar in the U.S.
3. There is a difference between a J.D. that is “ABA approved” and a J.D.
that is not “ABA” approved. An “ABA Approved” J.D. will allow one to take
the bar exam in any U.S. state. A J.D. that is NOT “ABA Approved” will
NOT allow one to take the bar exam in any state, but will normally allow
one to take the bar exam in some U.S. states.
Canadian law schools and the J.D. degree – Joint LLB./J.D. Programs
Over the last decade, three Canadian law schools (Windsor, Ottawa and
Osgoode) have partnered with U.S. law schools to offer a joint LL.B./J.D.
program. In each case, the students would earn two degrees:
When a Canadian law school changes from the LL.B. to the J.D. (which they all
are or will), it should be seen as an "LL.B. with a name change. A J.D. from a
Canadian law school is not an “ABA Approved” J.D. In other words a Canadian
J.D. degree will not allow one to take the bar exam in any U.S. state. (There are
some U.S. states which will allow Canadian law graduates - whether an LL.B. or
J.D.) - to take their bar exam.)
It is the view of many Canadian law schools that the J.D. is better regarded
internationally. Although I am unwilling to express an opinion on that, I will refer
you to the following articles:
http://www.globecampus.ca/in-the-news/globecampusreport/why-change-to-a-jd-
degree/
Canadian Lawyer reports that Dalhousie is also considering the change from
LL.B. to J.D.
At the present time the following schools have converted their LLB. degrees to
J.D. degrees:
- University of Toronto
- Queen’s
- Osgoode
- University of British Columbia
Note also the following Facebook group which makes it clear that the University
of Calgary is also making the switch to the J.D.
My prediction - it won’t be long until the LL.B. has become extinct in Canada.