Hi,

I wish to enquire whether somebody with an external LLB degree (University of London) who has also successfully completed the Bar Vocational Course in England (and has duly qualified as a barrister), needs an American LLM degree in order take the New York Bar exam?

Alternatively expressed, is the external LLB combined with the BVC good enough to directly take the NY bar exam?

NY accepts a regular (non-external) 3 year LLB from England; does the BVC make up the deficiency for those with an external 3 year LLB?

Thanks.

P.S: All the previous threads on the NY bar exam do not directly answer this question.

http://www.nybarexam.org/foreign.htm

The entire information is available on the said website.
I understand that at least 20 credits hours study in an ABA approved law school is required to make one eligible for appearing in the NY Bar Exam.

Because your are a licensed UK attorney you are eligible to take the California bar exam without an LL.M.

Thanks to both of you for your replies.

Should I make the following conclusions:

NY Bar ---> Get an American LLM first.

California Bar ---> Simply register.

Would this be accurate?

For the record, the NY Bar Examiners website does not CLEARLY lay out their positions on the various forms of foreign legal education. A lot of time and effort on this discussion board and otherwsie could be saved if they came up with a FAQ section.

I think that is generally accurate, although I am not certain how New York would look at an external LL.B degree. Because you are a licensed attorney, I am definitely certain you are eligible to take the Cal bar without having to waste the time and money to obtain an LL.M degree.

Did you also do your pupillage post BVC - with the BVC you are called to the bar but cannot practice without the pupillage. The NY rules are unclear on this - let me know how it goes I am in the same boat, LLB + BVC but not sure if I want to do a pupillage now as I may relocate back to the US for work.