I have passed the Common Professional Exam (CPE) in England which is recognised by the Law Society and Bar Council here as equivalent to an LLB. I understand that I am not eligible to take the New York Bar Exam as I don't have a 3 year LLB. Does anybody know if a CPE + LPC/BVC + LLM from an English/European law school would equal the three years required? If not does anybody know of another US state which would accept this and/or a straight CPE as eligibility for their bar exam. I would appreciate if somebody could help me with this?

Hi sianmorgan, i am in the same boat....i have done a Masters Msc in IP Law, the CPE/GDL and the LPC...and i want to qualify as a UK solicitor with out doing the training contract as i have been working as a paralegal for 4 years ( i now have 6 months off my training contract). However, I did not do the LLB and it is very frustrating as the SRA/Law Society recognise the GDL. I have been told that I would not be eligible to do the NY bar exam! Please can you let me know if you have found a solution to this problem??? thanks

NY Bar rules remain the same for now (i.e. those with a CPE/GDL will not qualify unless they complete an LLM on the territory of the US), but check whether the California Bar will allow you to sit their exams - they normally do not require an LLM