Hi,

Is it possible nowadays to take the NY Bar with a UK GDL and LPC (equivalent of a LLB)?

I am considering taking the NY Bar, after 5 years of professional experience as a lobbyist for an international development organisation in London. I have a French Licence in Law, but I also took the GDL and LPC in London, and I did a MA in International Relations.

Is there a way to have confirmation from the NY Bar exam administration that your degrees are enough to take the Bar?

Many thanks!

Hi Fdv,
To establish eligibility for the bar examination, you must complete an online Foreign Evaluation Form and submit an official Transcript from every law school you attended, degree certificate, proof of fulfilment of the educational requirements for admission to the practice of law in France.

The GDL and LPC from the UK will not qualify you to sit for the NY bar exam. Although the UK authorities consider the combined GDL and LPC to be the equivalent of an LLB the New York Board of Law Examiners does not consider it to be equivalent to a U.S. JD, which is the standard you must meet. I understand that someone with the GDL/LPC will need to show admission in the UK and also complete a U.S. LLM degree in order to qualify to sit for the bar in NY but you should review the NYBOLE website at www.nybarexam.org for more details.

Thank you for your answer.