International Europe Most European countries require both an LLM and LLB. You must then obtain a licence or diploma in one of the European countries which would allow you to practise in another. Membership of individual bar associations are sometimes required by States to use the title of ‘lawyer’, however, you may still practise law without it. Hong Kong In Hong Kong, you are required to be a valid legal practitioner in your jurisdiction of admission and to practise in the jurisdiction for at least three years. Hopeful candidates need to pass the Barristers Qualification Examination (BQE). Singapore You are required to be a qualified person (UWA graduate in the top 70% of your class), and a permanent resident of Singapore. You are required to pass the Bar before undertaking a five month training course in Singaporean law and finally a six month training contract with a law firm. If you have over three years of experience as a lawyer, you can take the Foreign Practitioner Exam to be admitted instead. Japan An Australian law degree won’t be of much help for practising Japanese law in Japan. You would be required to get dual qualifications. It is therefore more pragmatic to practise Australian Law in Japan as a registered foreign lawyer with the Japan Federation of Bar Associations (JFBA).
New Zealand Under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 (Cth), as a registered practitioner in Australia, you are also able to practise in New Zealand. Once you are admitted in Australia, you will then need to be registered by the relevant court in New Zealand. United States The requests for admission vary in the United States from state to state. Generally speaking, either a JD or a Master of Law (LLM) is required before siting the bar examination in the relevant state. The difficulty of the bar examination varies from state to state. Canada Gaining admission in Canada is quite difficult. You are required to have your qualifications evaluated by the National Committee on Accreditation in order to get a ‘certificate of qualification’. The Committee may require you to sit exams on Canadian Law. You may also be required to complete additional courses at a Canadian Law School. In addition, there are specific requirements for each province, and you will have to undertake an articling program. You may need to do less time in this program if you are experienced as a lawyer in Australia. United Kingdom Admission in the United Kingdom requires an LLB or JD qualification. It requires you to take part in a PLT course. Lawyers who have been admitted to practise in Australia are allowed to practise in England and Wales as solicitors by transferring through the Solicitors Regulations Authority (SRA) under the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS).
Secondments A ‘secondment’ is where a lawyer or graduate joins an in-house legal team or travels to work at another location. Secondments can range from intrastate, interstate or even international. Some firms may have a national or international presence and you may have the opportunity to work in those offices for various lengths of time. Secondments are a great opportunity to experience what it is like to work in another country and jurisdiction. Usually, the firm will have processes and policies in place to make the practicing requirements more streamlined. Secondments are also a great way to travel, experience different cultures, and learn how your area of law is practised in different places.
29
