Hi Guys! I am new here but it is obviously that the discussion may be really helpful for me while taking decision to study in Australia. I am from Ukraine holding the Ukrainian Master of Laws degree. The system of education here is something very different from the Australian. Just to have an understanding, I had obtained such degree upon completion of 5-years study in one of the Ukrainian Law Universities. I have 9-years experience of legal practicing in Ukraine. So came, I decided to move to Australia. Thus, I am to enter one of the Australian Universities. Thinking about University of Adelaide and Sydney University in order to complete the LLM by coursework. But to tell the truth, I am totally confused with the requirements to start practicing law in Australia. Does LLM degree obtained in a respectable University of Australia is enough for further legal practice? Do I have to study in specific University? Do I have to obtain any additional courses upon completion of LLM degree? Would anyone be so kind to indicate the link to the site where I can find all information for international graduates willing to practice law in Australia?

Dear Guyliana,
you are from civil law jurisdiction and Australia is common law.There is substantial diffrence so you have to complete further study in australia(basic eleven courses)+Practial legal training or One year clearkship.LLM will not itself help you to get admission as lawyer.

Regards

Usman advocate

Thank you very much for your reply! So as far as I understand, there is difference between admissions to practice law in the US and Australia, as in the US it is enough to obtain an LLM degree to practice law and to be employed at a good law company. Am I right? With this regard, I do not understand the purpose of LLM courses. Would you be so kind to explain their meaning to me? I have also found out the 2-year LLM courses (perhaps LLM in Business Law) - I have reviewed the subjects and realize that for a good lawyer who understands main principles this course might be enough to be employed in some private practice company. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Hi,

Basically, you will need to identify the Australian State you want to be admitted into. Thereafter, find out who is the assessing authority and send your qualifications to them.

It is likely that you would be required to complete majority (if not all) the subjects in a basic law degree (i.e. JD or LLB courses). I have a classmate from Russia who is exempted from the elective component of the JD program and is required to complete all compulsory courses within the program in order to gain admission.

I can assure you that the LLM would not enable you to practise in Australia. I do, however, know that universities like La Trobe do allow you to study basic law subjects under the LLM degree but the number of universities which allow you to study basic law subjects in LLM are rare. Alternatively, if you are required to complete a substantantial amount of coursework, you might want to look into completing a JD with University of Melbourne, Monash or ANU?

In regard to the practical training requirements, I am unsure what you must complete as it is based substantially on your experience etc. You might be required to undertake the whole component altogether or might be exempted - would depend on the jurisdictions well.

You might want to browse through relevant posts in the AU Forum as this issue has been enquired about several times :)

Let me know if i can help u further!


Regards
Greg

Ok, so I just want a clarification: I'm at law school in the U.S. right now but was thinking that I might want to get a law degree in Australia as well. How would I go about doing that? If an L.L.M degree is sufficient, that would be perfect. If not, then what exactly do I need in addition to a J.D. from a U.S. law school?

I am from Turkey with a LLM degree and have recently applied for a law school in Melbourne, Victoria. It takes a lot of time and truck load of paperwork just to get your LLB courses in your own country to be exempted. However, it doesn't do much good unfortunately. Anyway, the answer to your question is here: http://www.lawadmissions.vic.gov.au/docs/Uniform_Principles_October_2010.pdf
According to CoLE (Council of Legal Education), the compulsory courses stated in the pdf document has to be completed. We, the civil law practitioners, need to complete almost all the undergraduate courses all over again. I was in for it, though it takes great deal of patience, dedication and money but I haven't regretted it so far. Think thoroughly before you decide.

hello. I am an LLB student from Mauritius. My country operates on both a civil and common law jurisdiction. Is it possible for me to enroll in for PLT(what we call BPTC-bar practice training course) courses and exams in Australia?
thanks

hello. I am an LLB student from Mauritius. My country operates on both a civil and common law jurisdiction. Is it possible for me to enroll in for PLT(what we call BPTC-bar practice training course) courses and exams in Australia?
thanks

Hello everybody,

There is something a little unclear for me concerning the practise of law in Australia. I understand that to work as a qualified lawyer - i.e. as a barister or solicitor - one needs to undertake the appropriate academic and vocational training pointed by the board. But what about people who work in the field of law without being qualified lawyer? As a consultant, for instance. I reckon a mere LLM would be sufficient, right? I know two people coming from Europe who now works as consultants in Sydney without being qualified in Australia (one got on-the-field experience by working for a few years as a paralegal in Sydney, whereas the other one is an experienced lawyer from overseas). So it looks possible. Now my questions are: is it common? Is there a demand for foreign law experts in certain fields?

Thanks a lots for your insights,

Slash

I understand that to work as a qualified lawyer - i.e. as a barister or solicitor - one needs to undertake the appropriate academic and vocational training pointed by the board. But what about people who work in the field of law without being qualified lawyer? As a consultant, for instance. I reckon a mere LLM would be sufficient, right? I know two people coming from Europe who now works as consultants in Sydney without being qualified in Australia (one got on-the-field experience by working for a few years as a paralegal in Sydney, whereas the other one is an experienced lawyer from overseas). So it looks possible. Now my questions are: is it common? Is there a demand for foreign law experts in certain fields?