Hello All,

I graduated from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland with an LLB (hons) in July 2007.

I have spent the past year traveling around Australia and I am now in the process of organsing to move to Adelaide to practice law there.

I have been in contact with the Legal Practitoners' Registry there who have told me I need to complete 7 law courses and also the GDLP this will take around a year and a half.

I will be doing this on a student visa (which I havn't applied for yet) and when studying I will apply for a skilled migrant visa (I have enough points already to do this, I also have close family in Adelaide.)

I feel that there is substantail risk in the fact that I may not be granted permanent residency after paying to complete the necessary components for being admitted to practice in Adelaide, and also the fact that I do not have a job offer there. (However, I hope that during my study I will be able to undertake unpaid work experience in a law firm to make contacts.)

Am I making a huge mistake in taking this step? My other option is to stay in Scotland and complete the Diploma in Legal Practice at the University of Aberdeen for which I have a place.

I feel that moving to Australia will produce new opportunities and will begin a new chapter in my life.

Any advice/opinions would be hugely appreciated,

Jennifer

Hi xjenx85

I am in a similar position to yourself, I spent 18 months working in Oz and came home and I have now decided to go back to Oz and finish my qualifications.

I have UK law degree, but not yet completed by LPC. I've never really wanted to work and practice in the UK so think it makes sense to move and qualify in Australia.

I have contacted various legal admission boards in Oz and think that nsw is the easiest path of admission, then you can work in any state through the principal of mutual recognition). I think it will involve 3 additional academic subjects (Aus Constitutional Law, Property and Aus Administrative Law) plus the College of Law Practical Legal Training. I think Scottish applicants also have to sit equity. Can you tell me what 7 law courses you have to take?

However, it may be easier to enrol in a university for the student visa. Are you aware of the skilled graduate visa? you can get this after studying 2 years in australia so it would ease the pressure of seeking perm residency so soon after qualifying. I have no doubt that you would make contacts quickly and be able to get yourself a job.

I am not sure what route to go down but ideally I would like a job secured so I can work and study part time. I don't think I could afford to live and study for 2 years!

I agree with you about Australia have more opportunties. It is such an amazing place so I don't think your time would be wasted moving over there, even if is was only for a few years. Scotland will always be here!

Hi Legally blonde,

Thank you for replying to my post.

I've been told by Adelaide University that I have to complete Property Law, Equity, Australian Constitutional Law, Criminal Law and Procedure, Corporate Law and Ethics.

I have appealed 3 of these subjects ( Administrative Law, Corporate Law, Dispute Resolution and Ethics) and am waiting in hope that I will be successful and not have to take then. (Although the university seems to be painfully slow in dealing with my enquiries!)

Bear in mind that I have a scottish law degree, this is quite different from english law which the australian system is based on, and for this reason I my have to do more subjects than someone wanting to convert with an english law degree.

I cannot apply for a student visa until I have been accepted to these courses by the university so I think I am going to have to start putting the pressure on as I really hope to have this all organised by christmas...

Thanks for letting my know about the skilled graduate visa, I am going to look into that.

How are you getting on with all your planning?

Hi Jen
Fingers crossed that you will not have to take them! i am awaiting my academic assessment from the NSW legal professions admissions board and I am hoping that I will only have 2 subjects to do. They said to give them 4-6 weeks but I am hoping 4 weeks is enough.
Luckily for me a firm I worked for in Australia has agreed to sponsor me, so I am going to go out on a 457visa to work as a legal reseacher for a few months until I complete my part time college of law course (which I hope to enrol on next week and start in december) and my australian modules, so could possibly be ready for admission in July.
I am trying to get everything organised in the next few weeks but seem to be going around in circles, and playing the waiting game. I will hopefully will have it all organised by the 7 Nov and think i will go out at the end of Feb.
When do you hope to be going out?
If you don't mind me asking, are you getting a post-grad loan? I need to organise some sort of finance for my course so not sure where to start with that!
Good luck with it all and keep me posted on your progress!
Melissa

Hi,

Just a quick enquiry for Melissa. I am currenty studying for an LLB at University in England and in my second year. The problem is that I have found it difficult to find any information on moving to and carrying on my studies in Australia once I have graduated.

Would be grateful for any information and any advice that you may have.

Regards,

Nick

Hello Everyone.! :)

I have just completed my LLB in UK. As I do not have any intention to practice in UK (though I can't as an international student) I want to move in Australian and want to practice there as a lawyer. Australia attracts me more. Can anyone help me regarding this matter? It would be really a great help. Thanks in advance

Mahmuda