Cecily Zamora
If you want to practise law in Canada, there are a few things you need to know. First, you'll need to complete your pre-university education and receive an undergraduate degree. Most law schools in Canada require at least three years of undergraduate study, but some degrees require four years, and having a four-year degree will give you an advantage when applying. You'll also need to take the LSAT and achieve a good score—generally, you should aim for at least an A- average and a score of around 160. Once you've completed your undergraduate degree and LSAT, you can apply to law school in Canada. After graduating from law school, you'll need to pass the bar examinations and complete articling, which is a period of recognised work experience where you work under the supervision of a qualified lawyer. Keep in mind that the steps to becoming a lawyer in Canada vary depending on the province in which you intend to practise, so be sure to familiarise yourself with the specific requirements of your province.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Education | Pre-university education, undergraduate degree, and legal education at a school of law |
| Provincial Requirements | Varies by province; may include experiential training, articling, and bar admission requirements |
| Law School Entry Requirements | Varies by school; generally requires a bachelor's degree, LSAT score of around 160, and a minimum GPA or CGPA score |
| Law School Specializations | Business law, constitutional law, health law, international law, conflict resolution, aboriginal law, innovation and entrepreneurship |
| Post-Law School | Articling (supervised work experience), bar examinations, and licensing |
| Non-Canadian Lawyers | Requires a Certificate of Qualification from the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) and completion of bar admission requirements |
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What You'll Learn
Undergraduate degree and law school entry requirements
To practice law in Canada, you must complete your undergraduate degree and then attend law school. The steps to becoming a lawyer in Canada vary depending on the province in which you reside, so it is important to determine the exact qualifications you need at the outset of your educational journey.
To qualify for admission to a law program in Canada, you must first finish your bachelor's degree or post-secondary studies. While some degrees require four years, Canadian law schools require at least a three-year full-time undergraduate degree. However, completing a four-year degree gives you an advantage when applying to law school. Majors such as political science, sociology, English, philosophy, and communication studies are well-established launching pads for a career in law.
After completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to take the LSAT (Law School Admission Test). The LSAT is a single test administered worldwide by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). While most Canadian law schools do not require a minimum LSAT score, it is still important to achieve a high score, as your overall application is weighed when you apply. Generally, you should aim for a score of around 160.
Once you have completed your undergraduate degree and taken the LSAT, you can apply to the law school of your choice. You will need to enroll in the JD program, the required degree to practice law in the common-law provinces of Canada. Your preferred law school may offer combined programs covering common law and civil law degrees. It is important to note that law school tuition in Canada can vary, with some estimates placing the average cost at around C$20,000 per year.
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Law school curriculum and specialisations
Canada boasts a strong tradition of legal scholarship, with law schools offering a wide array of specialisations and globally respected qualifications. The country's law schools are known for their innovative teaching methods and comprehensive curricula, preparing students for a diverse range of legal careers.
Law School Curriculum
To practice law in Canada, you must complete a bachelor's degree and the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) before applying to a law school. The LSAT is a crucial factor in law school admissions, with most schools requiring a score of around 160. However, other factors, such as GPA or CGPA, are also considered. Additionally, you should aim to gain practical experience through internships or co-op programs offered by some universities.
Once enrolled in a law program, you will typically study for three years to obtain your Juris Doctor (JD) degree, which is required to practice law in common law provinces. If you plan to practice in Quebec, you will need a civil law degree from a Quebec law school or the University of Ottawa's civil law program.
The curriculum across Canadian law schools varies, but some common subjects and specialisations include:
- Business law
- Constitutional law
- Health law
- International law
- Cyberspace law
- Forest law
- Administrative law
- Corporate law
- Aboriginal law
- Human rights law
Additionally, following a recommendation by Justice Murray Sinclair, Canadian law schools are incorporating Aboriginal Law and indigenous legal perspectives into their curricula. This includes topics such as the history of residential schools, Indigenous rights, and intercultural competency.
Specialisations
When it comes to specialisations, Canadian law schools offer a diverse range of options. While some schools focus on traditional areas of law, such as business law or constitutional law, others offer more niche specialisations. For example, the University of Calgary's Faculty of Law is known for its innovative approach to legal education, connecting legal concepts to practical, real-world applications. The University of British Columbia, on the other hand, boasts a strong faculty with expertise in human rights and business law.
Other specialisations available at Canadian law schools include:
- Conflict resolution
- Innovation and entrepreneurship
- Aboriginal law
- Health law
- International law
- Corporate law
- Administrative law
It is important to research the specialisations offered by different law schools and choose a program that aligns with your career goals and interests. Additionally, gaining practical experience through internships or articling placements can help you explore different specialisations and working environments.
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Law society exams and bar admission
The process of becoming a lawyer in Canada varies depending on the province or territory in which you intend to practice. Each province sets different requirements for their exams and bar admission.
For example, in Ontario, you must complete the Barrister Licensing Examination and the Solicitor Licensing Examination. Other provinces, like Alberta, require you to complete a Practice Readiness Education Program (PREP). Some provinces may refer to it as a Bar Admission Course. These exams are typically taken after graduating from law school and cover various areas of Canadian law, ethical standards, and professional responsibilities.
After passing the law society exams, you must complete a period of training called "articling." This involves working under the supervision of a qualified lawyer or "Principal" for nine months to a year. Articling placements can be found at law firms, government agencies, or non-profits, and candidates can split their articling period among different placements to explore different specializations and work environments.
Once you have completed your articling, you will need to pass the bar admission exams specific to the province where you plan to practice. For instance, in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, you must take the CPLED Bar Admissions Course and pass the Bar Admissions Examination to become a member of the respective Law Societies.
It is important to note that if you are an internationally trained lawyer seeking to practice in Canada, you will need to obtain a Certificate of Qualification from the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA). This involves completing the NCA exams and any additional requirements specified by the NCA.
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Articling and work experience
After graduating from law school in Canada, you must complete articling and pass the bar examinations to practice law. The requirements for articling vary depending on the province or territory in which you intend to practice. For example, in Ontario, the experiential training requirement can be fulfilled by articling with a law firm for ten months or less, or by prior legal experience as a lawyer in a common-law jurisdiction. In contrast, the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador requires students to take a seven-week Bar Admission Course as part of their 52-week articling period. In Ontario, you can opt to take the eight-month Law Practice Program, which includes four months of articling.
Articling is a period of recognized work experience where aspiring lawyers work under the supervision of a qualified lawyer (known as a Principal). This period typically lasts between nine months and a year and can be completed through working for one or more law firms, government agencies, or non-profits in a kind of apprenticeship. Candidates can split their articling period among different placements to gain experience in various working environments and law specializations.
To find an articling placement, you can seek assistance from your law school's career counseling office or utilize the databases of articling placements provided by provincial law societies.
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Provincial requirements and licensure
The steps to becoming a lawyer in Canada vary depending on the province in which you reside and intend to practice. It is important to determine the exact qualifications you need at the outset of your educational journey.
Provincial and territorial law societies license lawyers and set the requirements for the articling process. These societies also maintain databases of articling placements. The articling period is a form of apprenticeship, where aspiring lawyers work under the supervision of a qualified lawyer. This period typically lasts between 9 and 12 months, depending on the province. For example, in Ontario, you can take an eight-month Law Practice Program, including four months of articling. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the articling period is 52 weeks, including a seven-week Bar Admission Course.
After completing the articling process, you must pass the bar examinations, also known as the law society exams, in the jurisdiction where you plan to practice. These exams are administered by the provincial law societies and test your knowledge of Canadian laws and your ethical and professional responsibilities as a future lawyer. Each province sets its own requirements for these exams. For instance, Ontario requires you to complete the Barrister Licensing Examination and the Solicitor Licensing Examination, while other provinces, like Alberta, mandate a Practice Readiness Education Program (PREP).
Additionally, some provinces may have specific educational or examination requirements for transferring your license from one province to another. For example, you may need to provide proof of good standing from your current province and demonstrate the required number of years of practice experience.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need to complete pre-university education, receive an undergraduate degree, and complete legal education at a school of law. Most law schools in Canada require at least a three-year full-time undergraduate degree, although some prefer a four-year degree.
Yes, you will need to pass the bar admission exams for the area where you plan to practice. These are administered by the provincial law societies and test examinees on their knowledge of Canadian laws and their ethical and professional responsibilities.
Yes, you will need to complete a period of training called articling, which is a period of recognised work experience where the aspiring lawyer works under the supervision of a qualified lawyer. This can be done in a private law firm, in a government office, or in a legal clinic.
Lawyers in Canada can make an average of $100,000 per year, although this depends on the area of law practiced, location, and years of experience.
Yes, you can practice law in Canada with a foreign law qualification, but you will need to receive a certificate of qualification from the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) first.
