Hi guys,
Hey does any one of you know whether a US J.D. is recognized equivalent to a PhD, and thus awarded 45 points under the new Points-Based System that the UK is implementing. If it is considered equivalent to a Master's then it will be worth only 35 points. The total needed to be eligible under the Highly Skilled Workers Scheme is 75. If this is the case I think it is more value for money to just do an LLM as it is far cheaper to gain the 35 points.
Thanks. Priyanka. :-)

A JD is known as a "first professional degree" and according to the UK Border Agency equates to 30 points. I'm surprised they don't consider it on par with a Masters degree.

(Academically, a JD is certainly not a PhD!).

Obviously, you should check this directly with the UK Border Agency.

a JD is obviously nowhere near as demanding as a phd, and is an entirely different time of degree, being a taught course rather than research based, so I can't see it would be in any way comparable to a doctorate. the logic behind classifying a JD lower than an LLM is that a JD is a first law degree, and as such equivalent to an LLB here in the UK. in fact JDs used to be called LLBs, till I think the 1970s when American lawyers took a page out of American doctors' book and changed the name of the LLB to JD in order to ape MDs.

Most certainly, the JD= the LLB

Canadian immigration treats JDs the same way - they are a second bachelor's degree, not a master's or doctoral degree.

Thanx for your valuable views. So, if in the qualifications section the JD gains 30 points, I guess the only way forward to potentially obtain the 75 points will be to earn the maximum points in the "Past earnings" section.

In this regard, how much does someone with a US JD (from a top 10 US law school) can expect to make on average when working in the UK? I know its more compared to a solicitor of the same age but with an LLB.
Do you think she can make at least 40,000 GBP p.a.? If so, then the 75 points will be within reach.
Otherwise, how much likely to you think she can expect to gain sponsorship by a UK employer, especially for the moment? Is the JD currently in demand in the UK?
Thanx for everything,. :-) Priyanka.