Common Law countries

English law degrees are recognised as satisfying part of the academic requirements for professional practice in many countries throughout the world. This is because the English legal system of Common Law is the basis of many countries' legal systems. It should be noted, however, that some of these countries require qualifications or training in addition to the LLB in order to practise law. The table below includes a complete list of Common Law countries and details their professional practice requirements.

 

Common Law country	Professional practice requirements (in addition to an LLB degree from the University of Exeter)
Australia	A year's practical training in a law firm, known as an Articled Clerkship, or an equivalent practical course.
Barbados	A six month course of training organised by the Council of Legal Education.
Brunei	Qualified as a solicitor in England. Passed the Malaysian Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP).
Canada	Canadian accreditation required. Contact the National Committee on Accreditation.
England and Wales	Aged at least 21 years. LLB to be of at least 2:2 level. Passed the Legal Practice Course. Completed a training contract.
Hong Kong	A Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL). In order to be eligible for the PCLL, transcripts must be sent to the Hong Kong Conversion Examination Board for evaluation as you may be required to pass an additional examination.
India	An LLB from the University of Exeter is not yet recognised by the Bar Council of India.
Malaysia	Passed the Malaysian Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP).
New Zealand	Aged at least 20 years. Passed a Professional Legal Studies course. Passed a university paper in Legal Ethics (if LLB completed after 2000).
Northern Ireland	In a joint degree, 160 out of 360 credits (for three-year degrees) or 160 out of 480 credits of the degree (for four-year degrees) must be law subjects. Passed the Certificate in Professional Legal Studies.
Pakistan	Aged at least 21 years. Undergone training for six months in a Chamber of an advocate of not less than ten years standing at the Bar, under intimation to the Bar Council. Passed the objective type of Written Examination in four attempts within 2.5 years.
Republic of Ireland	No additional qualifications required.
Scotland	Aged at least 21 years. Passed a Diploma in Legal Practice. Completed a Post Diploma Traning Contract.
Singapore	The University of Exeter is one of a limited number of UK universities whose degrees are recognised for entry to the qualifying Diploma in Singapore Law. For further information see the 'Recoginition of UK degrees in Singapore' British Council information sheet.
South Africa	Information currently unavailable.
Sri Lanka	Information currently unavailable.
USA	Additional legal education from an American Bar Association (ABA) law school. In most cases, this will mean being awarded an LLM degree.