Gavin Howe
A law degree can open doors to a wide range of careers, including legal practice. In New Zealand, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree is the most common pathway to becoming a lawyer, providing essential analytical, communication, and research skills, as well as an understanding of legal ethics and professional responsibility. The LLB programme in New Zealand typically spans four years and includes a mix of compulsory and elective law courses, alongside non-law subjects. To qualify as a lawyer, graduates must complete the Professional Legal Studies Course and obtain admission to the Roll of Barristers and Solicitors of the High Court of New Zealand, a process overseen by the New Zealand Council of Legal Education and the New Zealand Law Society.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Develops skills | Analytical, communication and research skills |
| Provides knowledge | Legal ethics, professional responsibility and the role of law in society |
| Opens doors to | A range of careers outside the law |
| Can be obtained from | Auckland, AUT, Waikato, Victoria Canterbury or Otago |
| Is a prerequisite to | Practising law in New Zealand |
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What You'll Learn
How to qualify as a lawyer in New Zealand
To qualify as a lawyer in New Zealand, you need to follow a four-step process:
- Get your Law Degree: You need a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Bachelor of Laws with Honours (LLB (Hons)). This can be obtained from universities like Auckland, AUT, Waikato, Victoria Canterbury, or Otago. The LLB usually takes four years of full-time study. Overseas university graduates will need to pass three Part I courses (LAW 121G (Law and Society), LAW 131 (Legal Method), and LAW 141 (Legal Foundations)) before applying for admission to Part II.
- Complete the Practical Course ('Profs'): After obtaining your law degree, you need to undertake the practical course, commonly known as 'Profs'. This course provides you with the practical skills needed for the workplace and can be completed through the College of Law or the Institute of Professional Legal Studies (IPLS).
- Obtain Certificates: You need to acquire two certificates. The first is a certificate of completion from the New Zealand Council of Legal Education, recognising your completion of your law degree and Profs. The second is a certificate of character from the New Zealand Law Society, certifying that you are a "fit and proper person" to be admitted as a barrister and solicitor. This process can take up to four months and requires a fee and three references, including one from your employer.
- Admission and Practising Certificate: The final step is to be admitted to the Roll of Barristers and Solicitors of the High Court of New Zealand. This involves a ceremony at your local High Court, where you will wear traditional court attire. During the ceremony, your admission must be moved by someone who is already a lawyer. After the ceremony, you will be issued a practising certificate by the New Zealand Law Society, and you can legally call yourself a lawyer under the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006.
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The benefits of conjoint programmes
A law degree can be a useful grounding for a range of careers, both within and outside the legal profession. In addition to the career opportunities a law degree can offer, it also helps develop analytical, communication, and research skills. It also helps build an understanding of legal ethics, professional responsibility, and the role that law plays in society.
Conjoint programmes allow students to pursue two undergraduate bachelor's degrees at the same time. The University of Auckland, for instance, offers more than 30 conjoint combinations, ranging from Commerce and Music to Science and Arts.
- Two distinct skill sets: Conjoint programmes provide students with two distinct skill sets, which can be advantageous for their future careers. For instance, the BMus/LLB conjoint degree offers students the opportunity to follow their passion for music while also gaining valuable analytical, communication, and research skills.
- Career opportunities: A conjoint degree can open up a wider range of career opportunities by providing a broader background of knowledge and skills. For example, a BCom/LLB conjoint degree can be an excellent choice for those intending to practice in commercial, taxation, and company areas, while also providing a suitable background for management or public administration roles.
- Time and cost efficiency: While a conjoint degree will be more expensive than a single bachelor's degree, it is not twice the price as it involves fewer courses. Additionally, a conjoint degree can often be completed within 4-5 years, compared to 5-8 years for a double degree.
- Versatility and maturity: Employers often find graduates with conjoint degrees attractive due to the breadth of skills and knowledge they possess across two disciplines. Conjoint programmes can demonstrate maturity and versatility, indicating the graduate's ability to handle a heavier workload and adapt to different areas of study.
- Customisable combinations: Conjoint programmes offer flexibility in structuring the degree according to one's interests and career goals. For instance, the BA/LLB conjoint degree allows students to choose from a wide range of subjects offered by the faculties of Arts and Law, enabling them to create their own combination of subjects while complying with the course regulations.
Conjoint programmes offer a unique opportunity to gain two degrees simultaneously, providing graduates with a competitive edge in the job market and a broader range of career options.
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How to get admitted to the Roll of Barristers and Solicitors of the High Court of New Zealand
To get admitted to the Roll of Barristers and Solicitors of the High Court of New Zealand, you must first obtain a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Bachelor of Laws with Honours (LLB Hons) from a university in the country. This typically takes four years of full-time study.
The next step is to complete a practical course, commonly known as 'profs', which provides you with the skills to transition into the workplace. You can undertake this course at either the College of Law or the Institute of Professional Legal Studies (IPLS).
After completing the profs course, you will need to obtain two certificates: a certificate of completion from the New Zealand Council of Legal Education and a certificate of character from the New Zealand Law Society. The latter certifies that you are a "fit and proper person" to be admitted as a barrister and solicitor. It is important to note that there is a fee for applying for the certificate of character, and the process can take up to four months.
Once you have obtained both certificates, you can file an application with the High Court to which you wish to be admitted. This is typically the city in which you live. You will also need to organise a moving counsel, who will ask the judge to admit you as a barrister and solicitor during the admission ceremony. This person is usually a close friend or colleague.
Finally, you will attend the admission ceremony at your local High Court, wearing traditional court attire or a gown over neat clothing. During the ceremony, you will sign your name onto the Roll and will be issued a practising certificate by the New Zealand Law Society. At this point, you can legally call yourself a lawyer.
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The top-ranked law schools in New Zealand
A law degree can be a useful foundation for a variety of careers, both within and outside the legal profession. To become a lawyer in New Zealand, you must first obtain a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Bachelor of Laws with Honours (LLB Hons) from a university.
The University of Auckland
Auckland Law School is the top-ranked law school in New Zealand and is considered one of the best in the world, according to the QS World University Rankings in Law. The LLB programme at Auckland is a four-year degree that includes a combination of compulsory and elective law courses, as well as non-law courses from another degree programme. The university offers conjoint programmes that allow students to pursue two undergraduate degrees simultaneously.
University of Otago
The University of Otago is another well-known university in New Zealand that offers an LLB degree. The LLB programme at Otago is a four-year full-time course, and graduates can pursue the 'profs' course to qualify as lawyers.
Victoria University of Wellington
Wellington is one of the best cities to study law in New Zealand, and Victoria University is a popular choice for law students. The university offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate law programmes, including the LLB and Master of Laws (LLM) degrees.
University of Waikato
The University of Waikato is another option for studying law in New Zealand. The university offers an LLB programme that can be a pathway to a career in law or other fields.
These universities offer a range of opportunities for students interested in pursuing a legal education in New Zealand, and they are well-regarded for their research performance and academic programmes.
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The usefulness of a law degree outside of law
A law degree is a versatile qualification that can be useful in a variety of careers outside of the legal profession. Here are some reasons why a law degree can be useful in a wide range of careers:
Transferable skills
A law degree helps develop valuable transferable skills such as analytical, communication, and research skills. These skills are highly valued by employers and can be applied in a variety of contexts, making law graduates highly sought-after by law firms, community organisations, and other employers.
Understanding of legal ethics and society
A law degree provides a strong foundation in legal ethics and an understanding of the role that law plays in society. This knowledge can be beneficial in a range of fields, including business, politics, and social work, where an understanding of legal principles and their impact on decision-making is crucial.
Grounding for a range of careers
Law graduates may find career opportunities in fields such as politics, business, education, and community development. A law degree can provide a solid grounding for these and many other careers, as it equips individuals with a broad understanding of the legal system and its interplay with various aspects of society.
Personal development
Pursuing a law degree can foster personal growth and development. The rigorous study and analysis of legal concepts can enhance critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities. Additionally, the study of law often encourages the development of soft skills such as negotiation, persuasion, and conflict resolution, which can be beneficial in both personal and professional spheres.
While a law degree is a common pathway to becoming a lawyer, it is important to recognise that the skills and knowledge gained during such a programme of study can be applied in numerous other contexts. Law graduates may choose to pursue careers outside of the legal profession, utilising their transferable skills and knowledge of legal principles to make a meaningful impact in a variety of sectors.
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Frequently asked questions
A law degree is a great foundation for a range of careers, including those outside of the legal sector. With a law degree, you can pursue a career as a lawyer, solicitor, or barrister. Alternatively, you can use the skills gained during your degree, such as analytical and communication skills, to pursue other career paths.
To become a lawyer in New Zealand, you must first obtain a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) from an accredited university. Following this, you need to complete the Professional Legal Studies Course, commonly known as 'Profs', to gain practical skills. After completion, you can apply for a certificate of completion and a certificate of character from the New Zealand Law Society. The final step is to be admitted to the Roll of Barristers and Solicitors of the High Court of New Zealand in a ceremony.
There are several universities in New Zealand that offer law degrees, including the University of Auckland, AUT, Waikato, Victoria Canterbury, and Otago. These universities provide a solid foundation for a career in law and are often sought after by employers.
