I was wondering if the following is possible and if this is in any way convenient.

I am a 22 year old law student from Buenos Aires, Argentina. I will be getting my Law Degree here by May this year. I have been offered a scholarship for an LLM in Boston College (USA) starting this fall.

After this degree, I was planning on moving to Canada to become an attorney. I was told by the NCA the following:

"The LL.M. is usually not part of our evaluation process and very little, if any, course credit is given for it basically, you cannot transfer course credits from one distinct degree to another and the LL.M. is not a requirement for entering the bar admission program in Canada. If you completed an LL.M. based on core, fundamental common law subjects (i.e. listed in Section B part 2 of our guidelines Admin, Const., etc.), then the Committee will apply this as exposure to common law and you could get 2-3 course credit exemption and could be required to complete only 2 years of the LL.B. program including the entire first year of the LL.B. program. If you do not have an LL.M. it would be more feasible to just apply and complete the entire 3 year LL.B. this way you would actually earn an LL.B. and not just a Certificate for two years of law school plus a graduate program."

Is it really better for me to take the additional year (3 in total) after doing my LLM in the US, so I can get the LL.B in Canada, instead of getting the Certificate? Are there any practical differences between LLB / Certificate?

Another question: If I am called to the Bar in NY after my LLM, would the NCA be more lenient with the requirements?

Regards,
Roberto

I am exactly in the same boat!!!! they usually say that if you begin to practice you can get 'advanced standing' and apply as a transfer student in a canadian law school (cf canadian law schools "transfer" or "transfer in 2nd year" section. Good luck!

As you are from the NCA please advise as to what grounds an applicant can appeal the decision of the NCA requirements.

Also is it true that the committee does not see an applicants application unless they appeal a decision and that all decisions are made by the executive director. There is so much flaky information regarding this matter on the various websites. I would be grateful for some useful and accurate feedback.

Thanks in advance.