Anaya Nolan
If you've completed Class 12th in Commerce and are interested in pursuing a career in law, you have several options. Law is a versatile field that can be studied through various integrated undergraduate courses, such as B.Com. LLB, B.A. LLB, B.B.A. LLB, and B.Sc. LLB. These integrated courses combine law with other fields of study and typically last five years. Alternatively, you can complete any undergraduate course and then pursue a three-year LLB program, followed by an LLM for further specialisation. To enrol in law programmes, you'll need to meet the eligibility criteria, which typically include a minimum aggregate score of 45-50% in your Class 10 and Class 12 exams, and you may also need to take law entrance exams like CLAT, AILET, or LSAT.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Pass class 12th or equivalent from a recognised board with a minimum of 45% marks in aggregate. Some universities ask for a minimum of 50% |
| Courses | LLB, LLM, diploma in law, and integrated law courses such as BA LLB, BBA LLB, BCom LLB, BSc LLB |
| Entrance exams | CLAT, AILET, LSAT, DUET, MH CET Law, TS LAWCET, AP LAWCET, CUET |
| Career options | Corporate lawyer, tax lawyer, intellectual property lawyer, banking and finance lawyer, commercial lawyer, international lawyer |
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What You'll Learn
Law entrance exams
Commerce students interested in law have a variety of law entrance exams they can take to pursue undergraduate law programmes. The best course to study law after the 12th is LLB, which students from any stream can pursue. The basic eligibility criteria to pursue law courses after the 12th is securing a minimum of 45%-50% aggregate marks in class 10 and class 12 exams.
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a national-level law entrance exam that offers admission to 22 national law universities, including both law and commerce disciplines. The CLAT is a 2-hour test consisting of 150 questions, each worth one mark, with a negative marking of 0.25 for every wrong answer. Upon qualifying, candidates become eligible for National Law Universities according to their CLAT score.
Other law entrance exams include AILET, LSAT, DUET, and the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)-India Exam. The latter assesses skills like advanced reading, critical thinking, and reasoning for admission to 5-year LLB programs.
An alternative route to becoming a lawyer after the 12th is to complete any undergraduate course and then pursue a 3-year LLB program. The BCom LLB course is a popular undergraduate law course for commerce students as it includes a substantial number of commerce subjects in its syllabus.
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Law specialisations
After completing the 12th grade in commerce, students can choose from a variety of law specialisations. Here are some popular options:
Integrated Law Courses
Integrated law courses are dual degree programs that combine law with another discipline such as arts, commerce, management, science, or technology. These courses typically span five years and are a popular choice for students who want to gain expertise in a particular area of law. Some common integrated law courses include:
- BA LLB: This course combines the study of humanities or arts subjects such as history, economics, political science, and sociology with core legal theories and subjects.
- BCom LLB: This course is designed for students with a commerce background. It combines commerce subjects like accounting, economics, business studies, and management principles with legal education.
- BBA LLB: This course blends business administration with legal studies and is ideal for students interested in corporate law.
- BSc LLB: This course combines science subjects with legal education.
LLB
The Bachelor of Laws (LLB) is a three-year undergraduate law program that covers various areas of legal information and services. Students can pursue an LLB after completing an undergraduate degree in any discipline.
LLM
The Master of Laws (LLM) is a postgraduate law program that allows students to specialize in a particular field of law. Some possible specializations include corporate law, tax law, intellectual property law, banking and finance law, commercial law, and international law.
Diploma in Law
Diploma courses in law are typically short-term programs that help graduates enhance their skills in a specific area of law. Some diploma programs can be pursued after the 12th grade, such as a Diploma in Human Rights or Information Technology.
Other Specializations
In addition to the above, students can also explore specializations such as criminal law, which focuses on crimes, criminal procedures, and legal defenses; corporate law, which deals with business transactions and contracts; and intellectual property law, which covers patents, trademarks, and copyrights.
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Law course options
Law is a versatile course that can be studied by students from all streams, including commerce. There are several law courses that commerce students can pursue after completing their 12th grade. Here are some of the options:
Integrated Law Courses
Integrated law courses combine law with subjects from other streams such as arts, humanities, commerce, or science. These courses typically have a duration of five years and are popular among students who want to gain expertise in a particular area of law. Some of the options for commerce students include:
- B.Com LLB: This course combines law with commerce and business subjects. It covers areas such as auditing, economics, accounting, statistics, common law subjects, management principles, business studies, and organisational behaviour. B.Com LLB is considered one of the best options for commerce students as it includes a substantial number of commerce subjects in its syllabus.
- BA LLB: Also known as Bachelor of Arts - Bachelor of Legislative Law, this course combines the study of law and legislature with aspects of arts such as history, sociology, economics, and political science.
- BBA LLB: This course combines law with business administration and covers areas such as corporate law, business law, intellectual property rights, taxation law, and mergers and acquisitions.
- BSW LLB: An integrated programme that combines social work with law, covering areas such as public health, public policy, political science, economics, legal aid, legal procedures, company law, and social science.
LLB
The Bachelor of Law or LLB is a bachelor's degree course that can be pursued by students from any stream after completing their 12th grade. It covers various areas related to legal information and services. Students can appear for entrance exams such as CLAT, AILET, LSAT, DUET, etc., for admission to top law colleges.
LLM
While not necessary to become a lawyer, pursuing a Master of Law or LLM can be advantageous for those seeking to specialise in a particular field of law. After completing their LLB, students can pursue an LLM with a specialisation in a specific field of law, such as corporate law, tax law, intellectual property law, banking and finance law, commercial law, or international law.
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Career options
Students from any stream, including commerce, can pursue a career in law after completing Class 12. The best undergraduate course for commerce students is BCom LLB, as it includes a substantial number of commerce subjects in its syllabus. The course typically lasts five years and is divided into 10 semesters.
After completing your legal education, you can pursue a career as a lawyer, working for law firms, corporate firms, NGOs, or MNCs. You could also prepare for the judiciary or appear for other competitive examinations. With sufficient experience, you may even consider starting your own law firm to serve corporate clients and help them resolve their legal issues.
If you do not wish to enrol with the Bar Council immediately, you can pursue higher education and register for an LLM from a reputed and recognised national or international college. With an LLM, you can specialise in a specific field of law, such as corporate law, tax law, intellectual property law, banking and finance law, commercial law, or international law.
To enrol in a law programme, you will need to meet the eligibility requirements, which typically include a minimum aggregate score of 45% in your Class 10 and Class 12 exams. Some universities may also require you to complete an entrance exam, such as the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), the All India Law Entrance Test (AILET), or the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
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Steps to becoming a lawyer
While there are several paths to becoming a lawyer, the process generally tends to be long and challenging. Here are the steps you can follow to become a lawyer:
Step 1: Complete your Higher Secondary Education
To pursue a career in law, you must complete your higher secondary education (Class 12) in any stream from a recognised board. While choosing an arts stream in the 10+2 level is considered best, students from any stream (Science, Commerce, or Humanities) can pursue a law course after Class 12.
Step 2: Decide on an Undergraduate Law Course
The next step is to decide on an undergraduate law course. Popular options include integrated courses such as BA LLB, BCom LLB, BSc LLB, and BBA LLB. These integrated courses combine law with other disciplines and typically span five years. Alternatively, you can choose to complete any undergraduate course and then pursue a three-year LLB program, although this will extend the time required for your legal education.
Step 3: Prepare for and Take Law Entrance Exams
To gain admission to top law colleges, you will need to take law entrance exams such as CLAT, AILET, LSAT, DUET, or GRE. These exams assess your knowledge in areas like the English language, current affairs, general knowledge, legal reasoning, logical reasoning, and quantitative techniques. It is recommended to study for at least three months for these exams, and your score will play a crucial role in determining your admission to law schools.
Step 4: Enroll in a Law School
After achieving a competitive score on your entrance exams, you can enroll in a law school. It is advisable to research and explore various law schools, including National Law Universities and top private colleges, to find the best fit for your legal education. Ensure that your chosen law school is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) or approved by the ABA, as required by most states.
Step 5: Complete Your Legal Education and Gain Experience
During your time in law school, focus on developing critical skills for legal practice, such as reading, writing, research, and analytical abilities. Consider taking upper-level humanities and social science courses to strengthen these skills. Additionally, seek out extracurricular activities that enhance your ability to argue persuasively and speak in public. Internships are also a vital part of your legal education, providing you with practical experience in real-life legal settings.
Step 6: Take the Bar Exam and Obtain Your License
Upon completion of your law degree, the next step is to take the bar exam. In most states, you will need a degree from an ABA-accredited law school to be eligible for the bar exam. Passing the bar exam will grant you a license to practice law in your state or country.
Step 7: Begin Your Legal Practice
With your license in hand, you can now embark on your legal career. Start by building a professional resume highlighting your education, internship experiences, key strengths, qualifications, and areas of expertise. Apply for job opportunities or attract clients as a corporate lawyer, tax lawyer, intellectual property lawyer, or any other legal specialization you have chosen. As you gain experience, you may even consider starting your own law firm to serve a specific client base.
Please note that the specific steps may vary slightly depending on your location and the legal education system in your country.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, students from any stream can pursue a law degree after completing 12th grade. Commerce students can pursue a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Law (BCom LLB) degree, a 5-year integrated course that covers a substantial number of commerce subjects in its syllabus.
Some entrance exams for law school in India include the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), All India Law Entrance Test (AILET), Law School Admission Test (LSAT), and the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MH CET Law).
Some popular specializations in law include criminal law, corporate law, tax law, intellectual property law, and cyber law.
