bar exam in Germany


userusa

Is there a bar exam in Germany and can I sit the bar with a JD?

Is there a bar exam in Germany and can I sit the bar with a JD?
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llmadvise

Qualifying as a lawyer in Germany is a two-step system. There are two bar exams. At first a prospective lawyer studies for the first degree in law (Erste Juristische Prüfung) which takes about five years. Passed studies, he or she may sit for the first bar (e.g. erste Staatsexamen). At this stage, the graduate may work as a legal advisor in companies, but is not entitled to act as a counsel before courts and cannot become a judge.
In order to become a fully practicing lawyer (Volljurist), the candidate must pass the second state exam. For this reason an ongoing lawyer will complete a mandatory clerkship (Referendardienst) with several stages in order to obtain the necessary practical skills. It will last a year. The second state exam is comparable to the bar exam in many countries, but it qualifies the candidate not only for becoming a lawyer in a law firm, but also for becoming a judge. Passed the working period, students sit the second bar exam (e.g. zweite juristische Staatsexamen). During the year prospective lawyers undergo studies that are structured by stages (Referendardienst and Justizarbeitsgemeinschaften). To become a lawyer in Germany can be a long process that undoubtedly takes seven years or more.

Qualifying as a lawyer in Germany is a two-step system. There are two bar exams. At first a prospective lawyer studies for the first degree in law (Erste Juristische Prüfung) which takes about five years. Passed studies, he or she may sit for the first bar (e.g. erste Staatsexamen). At this stage, the graduate may work as a legal advisor in companies, but is not entitled to act as a counsel before courts and cannot become a judge.
In order to become a fully practicing lawyer (Volljurist), the candidate must pass the second state exam. For this reason an ongoing lawyer will complete a mandatory clerkship (Referendardienst) with several stages in order to obtain the necessary practical skills. It will last a year. The second state exam is comparable to the bar exam in many countries, but it qualifies the candidate not only for becoming a lawyer in a law firm, but also for becoming a judge. Passed the working period, students sit the second bar exam (e.g. zweite juristische Staatsexamen). During the year prospective lawyers undergo studies that are structured by stages (Referendardienst and Justizarbeitsgemeinschaften). To become a lawyer in Germany can be a long process that undoubtedly takes seven years or more.
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userusa

Dear llmadvice, many thanks for your in depth explanation about bar exams in Germany. Am I understanding this right - with a JD in my pocket I can undergo the first bar (e.g. erste Staatsexamen)?

Dear llmadvice, many thanks for your in depth explanation about bar exams in Germany. Am I understanding this right - with a JD in my pocket I can undergo the first bar (e.g. erste Staatsexamen)?
quote
flori

Hello userusa,
no, it seems that you cannot.

Bye
flori
P.S.
I would suggest going the "Gleichwertigkeitsprüfung"-route, just google "Gleichwertigkeitsprüfung foreign lawyers" -> the first result appears to be quite helpful.
Landesjustizprüfungsamt
Soweit für Inhaber ausländischer juristischer Abschlüsse keiner der vorgenannten Tatbestände eingreift, sie jedoch gleichwohl einen der reglementierten juristischen Berufe in Deutschland ausüben wollen, verbleibt lediglich die Möglichkeit, zunächst erfolgreich die Erste Juristische Prüfung in Deutschland abzulegen. Die Zulassung hierzu setzt ein Jura-Studium in Deutschland voraus, auf dessen Mindestdauer von dreieinhalb Jahren (vgl. § 22 Abs. 1 Satz 1 JAPO) die jeweilige juristische Fakultät in Bayern allerdings ein Auslandsstudium mit bis zu drei Semestern anrechnen kann (§ 22 Abs. 1 Satz 5 JAPO). Unter den Voraussetzungen des § 24 Abs. 1 Satz 2 JAPO kann die Universität außerdem im Ausland erworbene Leistungsnachweise als einem der für die Zulassung zur Ersten Juristischen Staatsprüfung erforderlichen Leistungsnachweise gleichwertig anerkennen; bei einem mindestens dreijährigen Auslandsstudium erstreckt sich diese Anrechnungsmöglichkeit auf zwei der drei Leistungsnachweise.

Hello userusa,
no, it seems that you cannot.

Bye
flori
P.S.
I would suggest going the "Gleichwertigkeitsprüfung"-route, just google "Gleichwertigkeitsprüfung foreign lawyers" -> the first result appears to be quite helpful.
<a href="https://www.justiz.bayern.de/landesjustizpruefungsamt/auslaendische-abschluesse/" target="_blank">Landesjustizprüfungsamt</a>
Soweit für Inhaber ausländischer juristischer Abschlüsse keiner der vorgenannten Tatbestände eingreift, sie jedoch gleichwohl einen der reglementierten juristischen Berufe in Deutschland ausüben wollen, verbleibt lediglich die Möglichkeit, zunächst erfolgreich die Erste Juristische Prüfung in Deutschland abzulegen. Die Zulassung hierzu setzt ein Jura-Studium in Deutschland voraus, auf dessen Mindestdauer von dreieinhalb Jahren (vgl. § 22 Abs. 1 Satz 1 JAPO) die jeweilige juristische Fakultät in Bayern allerdings ein Auslandsstudium mit bis zu drei Semestern anrechnen kann (§ 22 Abs. 1 Satz 5 JAPO). Unter den Voraussetzungen des § 24 Abs. 1 Satz 2 JAPO kann die Universität außerdem im Ausland erworbene Leistungsnachweise als einem der für die Zulassung zur Ersten Juristischen Staatsprüfung erforderlichen Leistungsnachweise gleichwertig anerkennen; bei einem mindestens dreijährigen Auslandsstudium erstreckt sich diese Anrechnungsmöglichkeit auf zwei der drei Leistungsnachweise.
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hannahw

Dear llmadvice, many thanks for your in depth explanation about bar exams in Germany. Am I understanding this right - with a JD in my pocket I can undergo the first bar (e.g. erste Staatsexamen)?

Hi useusa, why would you want to sit the German bar exam? Do you intend to work in germany as a lawyer? As far as I know not even the combination of a an LLB/ LL.M qualifies to sit the bar exam but as flori mentioned you can get credits for your studies beforehand and study for a German law qualification.

<blockquote>Dear llmadvice, many thanks for your in depth explanation about bar exams in Germany. Am I understanding this right - with a JD in my pocket I can undergo the first bar (e.g. erste Staatsexamen)?</blockquote>
Hi useusa, why would you want to sit the German bar exam? Do you intend to work in germany as a lawyer? As far as I know not even the combination of a an LLB/ LL.M qualifies to sit the bar exam but as flori mentioned you can get credits for your studies beforehand and study for a German law qualification.
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userusa

Hello Flori, thanks for your reply. I am a bit puzzled after your comment. If I understood this correctly, I am not allowed to undergo the bar exam in Germany at all, neither can I accredit some of my studies. It only seems to apply to law studies within Europe. I did my JD in the States. I do not hold a licence yet.

Hello Flori, thanks for your reply. I am a bit puzzled after your comment. If I understood this correctly, I am not allowed to undergo the bar exam in Germany at all, neither can I accredit some of my studies. It only seems to apply to law studies within Europe. I did my JD in the States. I do not hold a licence yet.
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