Applying To Law School In Sri Lanka: A Guide

The Sri Lanka Law College (SLLC) is the only educational institution in the country that allows students to enrol as an Attorney-at-Law. Established in 1874, the college has trained almost all of the country's lawyers and has produced over 38,000 legal professionals. Each year, the college conducts a highly competitive entrance examination, which is the fastest way to become a lawyer in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Law College Entrance Exam

The Sri Lanka Law College is the only educational institution in the country that can enrol students as Attorneys-at-Law. The college offers a wide range of opportunities for students, including scholarships, and has been the foremost educational institution for legal studies in the country since its establishment in 1874.

The Sri Lanka Law College Entrance Exam

The Sri Lanka Law College Entrance Exam is a highly competitive exam held annually to admit students to the college. The exam is conducted by the Council of Legal Education (CLE), and only about 250 candidates who pass the exam will be admitted to the college. The exam is usually held in August/September, and the minimum academic qualification to sit for the exam is four passes in the General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) Examination and credit passes in Sinhala/Tamil in the General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) Examination. There is no age limit to take the exam.

Exam Format

The Sri Lanka Law College Entrance Exam consists of two papers: Language Skills and General Knowledge and General Intelligence. The duration of each paper is 3 hours, and each paper carries 100 marks. To pass the examination, candidates must obtain more than 50 marks in each paper. The language paper can be answered in English, Sinhala, or Tamil. If the candidate chooses to answer the General Knowledge and General Intelligence paper in Sinhala or Tamil, they must choose the English language paper as their second paper. If the candidate chooses to answer the General Knowledge and General Intelligence paper in English, they must choose either the Sinhala or Tamil language paper as their second paper.

How to Apply

The application for the Sri Lanka Law College Entrance Exam is usually announced on the official website of the Sri Lanka Law College. The application process is online, and the exam is held in Colombo.

Qualifications and Requirements

To apply to Sri Lanka Law College, you must meet the minimum academic qualifications for admission. These qualifications are four passes in the General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) Examination and credit passes in Sinhala/Tamil in the General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) Examination. The college also requires applicants to have completed seventeen years of age at the date of the application deadline.

The entrance examination is highly competitive, and only a limited number of applicants gain admission based on their results. The exam consists of two parts: a Language Paper (in English, Sinhala, or Tamil) and a General Knowledge and General Intelligence paper. The Language Paper can be answered in the candidate's chosen language, and they must then elect to sit for the English Language Paper or the Sinhala/Tamil Language Paper.

There are three main channels of admission to the College:

Law Entrance Examination: Direct admission for those who qualify via the Law Entrance Examination. The minimum qualifications to sit for the exam are:

• Two credit passes and one simple pass (except for General English and General Knowledge subjects) at one and the same sitting at the Sri Lanka GCE (A/L) Examination.
• Credit passes in English Language and Sinhala/Tamil Language at the G.C.E. (O/L) or N.C.G.E. Examination.
• Applicants must be at least 17 years old by the application deadline.

• Law Graduates from Other Universities: Admission of Law graduates from Sri Lankan and foreign universities. LL.B. (Bachelor of Laws) degree holders from recognised universities can enter without sitting for the entrance examination or taking the first and second-year examinations. They only need to pass the final examination at the Law College.
• Members of the legal profession of commonwealth countries: The Attorneys-at-Law course is typically three years, except for the law graduates mentioned above. After passing the final examination, students must complete an apprenticeship of six months under a lawyer with at least eight years of experience. They must also follow a practical training course conducted by the Law College, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, and senior members of the legal profession.

It is important to note that the Sri Lanka Law College is the only institution in the country authorised to permit students as qualified for admittance to the legal profession. The college has a long history of producing distinguished legal professionals and is the sole gateway to becoming a lawyer in Sri Lanka.

Application Process

To apply to Sri Lanka Law College (SLLC), you must meet the minimum academic qualifications for admission. These qualifications are four passes in the General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) Examination and credit passes in Sinhala/Tamil in the General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) Examination.

The SLLC conducts a competitive entrance examination each year, and only a limited number of applicants gain admission based on these results. The exam is held every August or September and consists of two papers: a Language Paper (English/Sinhala/Tamil) and a General Knowledge and General Intelligence paper. The minimum age for applicants is 17 years old at the date of the exam.

There are three main channels of admission to the College:

• Law Entrance Examination: Direct admission for those who qualify via the Law Entrance Examination. The minimum academic qualification recognised for admission is four passes in the General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) Examination and credit passes in Sinhala/Tamil in the General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) Examination.
• Law Graduates from Other Universities: Admission of Law graduates from Sri Lankan and foreign universities. LL.B. Degree holders from recognised universities can enter without sitting for entrance examinations and are also exempt from the first and second-year examinations at SLLC. They only need to take the final examination at the Law College.
• Members of the legal profession of Commonwealth countries: The Attorneys-at-Law course at the Law College is three years long, except for the law graduates mentioned above. After passing the final examination, students must complete an apprenticeship of six months under a lawyer with at least eight years of experience and follow a practical training course.

LL.B. graduates from recognised state universities, such as the University of Colombo, Open University of Sri Lanka, University of Jaffna, University of Peradeniya, and Kotelawala Defence University, only have to sit the Final Year examinations, which entail around eight subjects.

Foreign LL.B. graduates from universities like the University of London will have to sit for all three academic years.

If you are a foreign commonwealth lawyer or a Barrister of England, Scotland, or Ireland, you will only be required to sit for a few subjects, and you may be exempt from the apprenticeship if you served a period of pupilage in the United Kingdom.

The SLLC also offers several post-attorney courses, including an LL.M. from the University of Wales and post-attorney diplomas in intellectual property law and international trade law.

Course Structure and Examinations

The Sri Lanka Law College is the only educational institution in the country that can qualify students for admittance to the legal profession. The college offers a three-year course for students who wish to become Attorneys-at-Law. The course consists of three academic years: Preliminary, Intermediate, and Final Year. Students are required to pass 7-8 subjects each year, with an overall average of over 50% and a minimum of 40% per subject. The final year examinations must be conducted in English, as per recent regulations.

The college conducts an annual entrance examination, usually held in August or September, which is highly competitive. The minimum academic qualification for admission is four passes in the General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) Examination and credit passes in Sinhala/Tamil in the General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) Examination. The entrance examination consists of two papers: a Language Paper (English/Sinhala/Tamil) and a General Knowledge and General Intelligence paper.

For LLB graduates from recognised universities, there is a separate admission process. These graduates are exempt from the entrance examination and the first two years of examinations. They only need to take the final year examinations, which consist of around 8 subjects. Foreign LLB graduates, on the other hand, are required to sit for all three academic years.

After completing the academic requirements, students must undergo a period of practical training and apprenticeship before they can qualify as Attorneys-at-Law and be admitted to the bar. This includes a six-month apprenticeship under a lawyer with at least eight years of experience and a practical training course conducted by the Law College with assistance from the Bar Association of Sri Lanka.

Career Prospects and Opportunities

The Sri Lanka Law College (SLLC) is the country's foremost educational institution for legal studies and the only legal institution where one can enroll as an Attorney-at-Law in Sri Lanka. It offers a wide array of opportunities for students during their time at the college and after graduation, enabling them to broaden their knowledge and stay up-to-date with current developments in the legal field.

Legal Practice

Legal practice is the most popular career path for law graduates. Lawyers can work in various settings, including law firms, corporations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. They provide legal advice and representation to clients, draft legal documents, negotiate deals, and argue cases in court.

Judiciary and Legal Academia

A career in the judiciary is another option for law graduates. Judges, magistrates, and other legal professionals who work in the court system must have a strong understanding of the law and its application. Additionally, many law graduates go on to teach law at universities and other educational institutions.

Public Service

Law graduates can work for government agencies at the local, state, or national level, helping shape policy and advise lawmakers on legal issues. They can also work in non-profit organizations, advocating for social justice and working to improve people's lives.

Business and Corporate Sector

The business and corporate sectors offer rewarding careers for law graduates. Many companies require legal expertise to navigate complex regulations and contracts, and lawyers can ensure that companies operate within the law. Law graduates can also pursue careers in business management, human resources, and other areas where their legal knowledge is valuable.

Alternative Careers

Law graduates have a unique set of skills, including strong analytical and critical thinking abilities, as well as effective communication and negotiation skills. These skills can be leveraged in alternative career paths such as journalism, consulting, and even entrepreneurship.

The Sri Lanka Law College, with its rich history and distinguished alumni, offers a comprehensive legal education that prepares students for a variety of career paths. The college's focus on unity and diversity, along with its emphasis on extracurricular opportunities, ensures that graduates are well-rounded and future-ready attorneys-at-law, equipped to navigate the complexities of the legal profession in Sri Lanka and beyond.

Frequently asked questions