Canadian Law Degrees and Schools

There are some challenging events that individuals must face before becoming a lawyer. Overcoming these challenges will help people embark on a rewarding career. Additionally, lawyers are in large demand in Canada today.  Prolonged litigation,  complexity and an increase in complex legislation passed by the government have improved the marketplace for Lawyers.

Getting into Law School

In order to be accepted to a Canadian law school, an applicant is required to meet the following requirements.

• Finish a four year undergraduate degree. However, some schools accept students who finish two years of study.
• A competitive grade point average
• A competitive Law School Admission Test or LSAT Score

A lot of law schools do not require particular groups of courses. However, students are advised to develop their writing and research skills. These two skills are very important in law school. Applicants are also advised to take courses that develop and enhance their skills in the following areas.

• Logical Reasoning
• Critical Analysis
• Oral Communication

The application process is a numbers game. Many schools use an applicant’s GPA and LSAT scores as their main basis for acceptance. These scores have the most influence over whether a student is accepted or not. Additionally, students must have a grade point average of 80 percent and above. Some schools do accept students who have a 77 to 79 percent average.

The admissions committee also considers undergraduate courses taken. They also analyze the academic performance trends in an applicant’s undergraduate degree. Letters of recommendation are also important. These letters must come from a person of authority. They must convince the admissions committee that an applicant will succeed in law school.

A lot of schools also require applicants to write an admissions essay or personal statement. The majority of Canadian Schools also conduct interviews. This enables the admission committee to get to know the applicant more personally. They also see if the applicant’s personality and intellect is the right fit for law school.

Law School

A law program in Canada usually takes three years to complete. During their first year, students take courses in the following introductory areas.

• Property Law
• Constitutional Law
• Criminal Law
• Contract Law

Additionally, first year students are given thorough training in writing and legal research. There are also volunteer experiences and extracurricular activities open to students. A lot of first year law students also participate in the following activities.

• Client counselling competitions
• Trial advocacy
• Volunteering at non-profit organizations and legal clinics
• Social events and student led clubs.

These activities also help students in many ways. They help them meet people with the same interests. They also find out how to apply their legal training outside of school. During the summer after their first year, many students get summer jobs. These jobs are usually related to the legal field. Students do this to gain valuable legal experience.

In their second year of law, students are allowed to pick their own courses. This selection is frequently based on their areas of interests. A lot of law schools also require students to participate in a mock trial. It means that students acts as lawyers in a given case scenario. They are also judged by professional lawyers and professors.

Their second year summer is spent doing work related to law. They also perform legal research while employed. This exposure is also a great way to learn about various legal employers. It is also a critical period to decide what kind of law they are going to specialize in . Students also go through articling interviews and apply for articling positions.

In their third and final year, students take a lot of specialized law courses. At the same time, they work on lengthy research papers that are related to their specializations. They may also join in student exchange programs as well. Upon graduation, students will receive a Juris Doctorate. This is the degree required to practice law. However, some schools like McGill University award students a bachelor’s of law or LLB.

Accredited Law Schools

Canadian law schools are accredited by the Federation of Law Societies of Canada (http://www.flsc.ca)

Licensure

To practice law in Canada, applicants must pass the bar Exam. Before taking this exam, students must meet the following requirements.

• Possess a law degree from an accredited school.
• Serve a period of apprenticeship by being an articling clerk under a professional lawyer. This apprenticeship may last from 10 months to one year.

This exam contains a variety of topics. It also puts emphasis on practical skills and knowledge. This exam is also constantly evaluated and monitored. Upon passing this exam, students have to fulfill the licensing demands of the Canadian province where they want to practice law.

Legal Practice Specializations

In Canada, there are a number of legal specializations available that include the following.

• Aboriginal Law
• Business Law
• Bankruptcy and Insolvency
• Commercial Law
• Constitutional Law
• Communications and Media Law
• Criminal Law
• Corporate Law
• Consumer Law
• Environmental Law
• Entertainment Law
• Elder Law
• Family Law
• Insurance
• Immigration
• Human Rights Law
• Intellectual Property Law
• Litigation
• Labour and Employment Law
• International Law
• Municipal Law
• Real Estate Law
• Personal Injury Law
• Taxation Law
• Sports Law
• Wills, Estates and Trusts
• Technology and Science Law