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United Kingdom
This means a law degree (LLB or JD) followed by a Graduate Diploma in Law. Questions of transfer eligibility of Australian degrees to satisfy LLB/ JD requirements should be directed to the Barrister Standards Board (BSB). While LLB/ JD and GDL are prerequisites for moving onto the next stage - vocational stage - they do not guarantee admission.
The second stage of training to become a barrister is the vocational stage. This takes the form of the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC), which can either be taken over one-year full time or two years part time; the latter of which allows time for students to carry out paid work and gain useful legal experience. Prospective barristers must also pass the Bar Course Aptitude Test: https://www.barprofessionaltraining.org. uk/ s4/oa/candidates/start.asp
The final stage of training to become a barrister is a one-year pupillage. This is usually undertaken in a set of barristers’ chambers, although it can also be undertaken with certain other organisations. Being a pupil is similar to being an apprentice where you will gain practical training under the supervision of an experienced barrister or barristers. At the end of the year you will be a fully qualified barrister.
Pupillage is divided into two parts: the “first six” which is a non-practising six months and the “second six” which is a practising six months. During the first six, pupils generally shadow their pupil supervisor, do legal research, draft opinions and other court documents, read their pupil supervisor’s paperwork and observe him or her in conferences and in court. During the second six, pupils can take on some work of their own, under supervision. For more information visit this website: http:// www. barcouncil.org.uk/becoming-abarrister/ how-to-become-abarrister/
Further Information
Chambers Student UK
This website is for anyone considering a law career in the UK. There are thousands of interviews with trainees, pupils and market sources, as well as interesting and informative articles. There is also a newsletter which you can sign up to for free. http://www.chambersstudent.co.uk/
Solicitors Regulation Authority
To find out more about becoming a qualified solicitor in the United Kingdom, please contact the Solicitors Regulation Authority, which oversees the requirements for admissions. http://www.sra.org.uk/
The Law Society of the UK
The Law Society of the UK also offers support for those working towards becoming a qualified solicitor or other legal professional in the United Kingdom. http://www.lawsociety.org. uk/
Singapore is a common law jurisdiction but the legal profession is fused, meaning that lawyers can act as both a solicitor and a barrister. To qualify as a lawyer in Singapore, one must fulfil the requirements of being a ‘qualified person’ and then sit the Singapore Bar Examinations, which is divided into Part A (for overseas graduates) and Part B (a five month practical course).
Applicants must:
Have attained the age of 21 years; Be of good character; Have satisfactorily served the practice training period applicable to you; Have attended and satisfactorilycompleted such courses of instruction as the Board of Directors of the Singapore Institute of Legal Education (SILE) may prescribe; and Have passed such examinations as the Board of Directors of the Institute SILE may prescribe.
Qualifying
Under Rule 9 (1) of the Legal Profession (Qualified Persons) Rules, you are a “qualified person” if you fulfil ALL the following requirements: (a) That person is a citizen or permanent resident of Singapore;
(b) That institution of higher learning is an institution of higher learning in Australia or New Zealand specified in the First Schedule;
(c) That degree is a degree of Bachelor of Laws or degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence specified for that institution of higher learning in the First Schedule;
(d) that person — i) commenced reading on or after 1 January 1994 a course of study as a candidate for that degree, if that degree is a degree of Bachelor of Laws; or ii) is conferred that degree on or after 1 December 2017, if that degree is a degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence;
(e) that person has been ranked by that institution of higher learning as being amongst i) the highest 70%, in terms of academic performance, of the total number of graduates in the same batch who have been conferred the degree or degrees of Bachelor of Laws specified in the First Schedule in respect of that institution of higher learning; or ii) the highest 70%, in terms of academic performance, of the total number of graduates in the same batch who have been conferred the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence specified in the First Schedule in respect of that institution of higher learning;
