Hi all,

I am currently 27 years old and am a Malaysian currently residing in Singapore.

I had recently graduated with a Second Class Upper Division Honours degree in Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Management from the University of Manchester in United Kingdom.

I am considering to study for another degree and am interested to study law and practise as a lawyer. In addition, I hope to migrate to Australia (and in particluar Western Australia).

With reference to the subject, I have some queries which require the kind assistance and advice of the forummers here.

May I please ask if the external degree in Bachelor of Laws (external LLB) awarded by University of London (UOL) from United Kingdom (UK) is recognised by the Legal Practise Board of Western Australia (LPBWA) for practice as a lawyer in Western Australia (WA)?

Taking into consideration the above query, as I had completed a degree, I will be eligible for the graduate entry route of the UOL external LLB and will be able to complete the mentioned degree in two years. Will the LPBWA recognise the graduate (2 years duration) UOL external LLB for the purpose of practising as a lawyer in Australia (in particluar, the LPBWA)?

Are there any prerequisite requirements or conditions (class of honours degree obtained, minimum number of years of study, etc) which have to be satisfied before the UOL external LLB is recognised for practice as a lawyer by Australia or the LPBWA?

If the UOL external LLB is recognised, how is the typical procedure like for such a graduate who wishes to practise as a lawyer in Australia?

May I please request for further details and information regarding these issues?

Thanks alot for all the assistance and advice.

Hi all, can anyone help please? Thanks alot.

Hi there,

I have attempted to address your questions based on my own knowledge/opinion:

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Hi all,

I am currently 27 years old and am a Malaysian currently residing in Singapore.

I had recently graduated with a Second Class Upper Division Honours degree in Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Management from the University of Manchester in United Kingdom.

I am considering to study for another degree and am interested to study law and practise as a lawyer. In addition, I hope to migrate to Australia (and in particluar Western Australia).

With reference to the subject, I have some queries which require the kind assistance and advice of the forummers here.

May I please ask if the external degree in Bachelor of Laws (external LLB) awarded by University of London (UOL) from United Kingdom (UK) is recognised by the Legal Practise Board of Western Australia (LPBWA) for practice as a lawyer in Western Australia (WA)?

AS FAR AS I AM AWARE, AUSTRALIA DOES NOT HAVE ANY PROHIBITIONS ON EXTERNAL LLB COURSES. IT WOULD BE BEST IF YOU DOUBLE-CHECKED WITH LPAB. MY ADVICE WOULD BE LOOK AT GETTING ADMITTED INTO NSW BECAUSE WA HAS AN ARTICLES SYSTEM WHICH CANNOT BE FULFILLED UNLESS YOU WORK IN A LAW FIRM THERE. GIVEN THAT YOU ARE NOT A PR AND WILL NOT HAVE AN AUSTRALIAN LAW DEGREE YOUR CHANCES OF OBTAINING SUCH AN ARRANGEMENT WOULD BE SIGNIFICANTLY LOWERED. UPON GAINING ADMISSION INTO NSW, YOU CAN THEN APPLY FOR ADMISSION INTO UWA THROUGH MUTUAL RECOGNITION.

Taking into consideration the above query, as I had completed a degree, I will be eligible for the graduate entry route of the UOL external LLB and will be able to complete the mentioned degree in two years. Will the LPBWA recognise the graduate (2 years duration) UOL external LLB for the purpose of practising as a lawyer in Australia (in particluar, the LPBWA)?

AGAIN, IT IS BEST YOU DOUBLE CHECK WITH LPBWA, THEY MIGHT HAVE EXPERIENCE IN EVALUATING QUALIFICATIONS. MOST UK GRADUATES ARE REQUIRED TO UNDERTAKE AUSTRALIAN CONSTITUTIONAL LAW AND ADMINISTRATIVE LAW. HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE ON A STUDENT VISA, YOU MIGHT BE REQUIRED TO UNDERTAKE ELECTIVES OR SUPERFLUOUS COURSES TO SATISFY YOUR VISA CONDITIONS. UPON UNDERTAKING THESE 'ACADEMIC' COURSES, YOU WILL THEN HAVE TO UNDERTAKE A 'PRACTICAL' PROGRAM TERMED PLT IN AUSTRALIA. ALTERNATIVELY, YOU CAN SATISFY THIS REQUIREMENT BY WORKING IN A LAW FIRM'S ARTICLES PROGRAM - THE LATTER IS HIGHLY COMPETITIVE GIVEN THAT THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF LAW GRADUATES IN AUSTRALIA.

Are there any prerequisite requirements or conditions (class of honours degree obtained, minimum number of years of study, etc) which have to be satisfied before the UOL external LLB is recognised for practice as a lawyer by Australia or the LPBWA?

IN GENERAL, THE ANSWER IS NO. IF I AM NOT WRONG, PRIESTLEY REQUIREMENTS STIPULATES THAT LAW GRADUATES MUST HAVE COMPLETED 3-YEARS EQUIVALENT OF LAW STUDIES. AS SUCH, A 'GRADUATE' 2-YEAR ENTRY EXTERNAL LLB MIGHT FALL SHORT OF THE REQUIREMENT BY 1 YEAR. HOWEVER, DO DOUBLE-CHECK THIS.

If the UOL external LLB is recognised, how is the typical procedure like for such a graduate who wishes to practise as a lawyer in Australia?

AS MENTIONED UPON, COMPLETE THE REQUIRED 'ACADEMIC' COURSES WITH LLB/JD STUDENTS IN AUSTRALIA. THEREAFTER, FULFILL YOUR 'PRACTICAL' REQUIREMENTS THROUGH EITHER (1) A PRACTICAL LEGAL TRAINING COURSE (WHICH IS NOT AVAILABLE IF YOU WANT TO BE ADMITTED DIRECTLY INTO WA); (2) AN ARTICLES OF CLERKSHIP WITH A LAW FIRM HAS SUCH A PROGRAM.

May I please request for further details and information regarding these issues?

Thanks alot for all the assistance and advice.

I HOPE THAT THIS GENERAL REPLY HELPS, DO DOUBLE-CHECK!


Cheers
Greg

I am hoping someone could provide me with some useful insights on this, especially those who have had personal experience.

As mentioned, I graduated with a UOL LLB with 2:2, I have continued my postgraduate studies in law with the same university.

I have since attained postgraduate cert in law with distinction and currently pursuing my postgraduate dip in law and master of laws.
Although I qualify directly for the LLM programme, the university is giving us a benefit of the doubt in awarding us with the other 2 additional certs as well, which are actually more for those who do it stage by stage as they do not qualify for the LLM directly.

I would be specialising in commercial and corporate law. For my postgrad cert in law, I have chosen to specialise in family law where I studied human rights of women.

Below are my other subjects :

Taken :

Corporate finance and management issues in company law
section a and b (taken and passed)

will be taking :

Foundational issues in constitutional issues in company law
section a, b, c and d

Regulation and infrastructure of international commercial arbitration
section a, b c and d.

Thus, I hope to be graduating and awarded with :

Postgraduate Certificate in Law (Family Law)
Postgraduate Diploma in Law (International Business Law)
Master of Laws (Commercial and Corporate Law)

I am still awaiting UOL's reply on whether I can specialise in 2 different areas for the last two certs since i will be taking the same specialisation group subjects for these 2 specialisations.
it would seem more comprehensive and extension to specialise in so many areas, right? :)

hence, i was wondering, with these qualifications where I will be expected to graduate with next yr 2014 with my LLM, is it advisable that i send in my academic qualifications and get them assessed by the australia bar authority? would these qualify me for more exemptions?

previously i had gotten my llb to be accessed and i was informed that I am required to undertake these 12 additional subjects :

Criminal Law and Procedure
Australian Constitutional Law
Commerical Transactions
Administrative Law
Law of Associations
Evidence
Taxation and Revenue Law
Succession
Conveyancing
Practice and Procedure
Legal Ethics

AND

One of the following electives - excludes Family Law (which I have yet to decide and I would need to know if your University offers any of these) :


Insolvency

Conflict of Laws

Local Government and Planning

Industrial Law

Intellectual Property Law

Public International Law

Competition and Consumer Law

Understanding Legal Language and Legislation

i am hoping that my postgrad qualifications would allow for more exemptions because having to study another 12 subjects seem quite ridiculous!

can anyone help me here?

thanks!! appreciate lots.

hiiii i too have completed the LLB from the UOL(International programmes) with a Second class honours (lower division).um intending to apply for a LLM in Australia.i wanna know whether my degree is recognized for a LLM in australia and also the best law schools there.

Do anyone have an idea about the scholarships for LLM?

I am hoping that my postgrad qualifications would allow for more exemptions because having to study another 12 subjects seem quite ridiculous!