Hey I am A law Stdent In India studying at Symbiosis Society's Law College, Pune. I will be graduating in May 2006. I am inerested in going abroad especially in Australia. I want to know What Degrees or courses do I need to take up in Australia so that I can be able to practice as a Solicitor in Australia? I have heard of the Graduate Diploma in Professional and Legal education and Training in Bond University. Do I need to do the Juris Doctor? Hoe long does Juris Doctor prgramme takes? I will be very grateful if someone lets me know.

Hi taniaguharoy,

I think it will depend on a number of factors.

If your degree in Law from India is not a complete legal qualification (ie less than an LLB or JD) then you would need to take a Juris Doctor course. The length varies, although I know the Bond University one takes two years (I did my LLB at Bond). I think most universities offer JDs between 2-3 years.

If your degree in India will enable you to be admitted in India (ie an LLB), then it should be fairly easy to practise as a foreign legal practitioner here. This may require that you are actually admitted in India beforehand, though. Foreign practitioners aren't fully admitted to practise here though - they must be supervised and cannot do everything that a local solicitor/barrister can.

If you want to be admitted as a full solicitor (and you have an LLB or JD already), that will be more problematic. You will probably need to take a few courses in Australian law (ie Constitutional Law) although you wouldn't need to do a JD. You will probably need to do Practical Legal Training depending on your previous practical experience. A Grad Dip in Legal Practice such as the one you mentioned at Bond would suffice, I think. Many other universities offer such courses, including College of Law in Sydney, QUT and ANU. Have a look here to see the requirements: http://www.lawsociety.com.au/page.asp?partID=750

The requirements may differ from state to state, though.

Hope that helps (and is accurate)!