Canada’s legal system is based on a combination of common law and civil law. The common law is law that is not written down as legislation. Common law evolved into a system of rules based on precedent.
Common law originated in the United Kingdom and its foundations were developed over a thousand years of legal practice. The principles that enable members of the legal profession to analyze and solve legal issues are taught in the core law school curriculum which is comprised of:
- Contract Law
- Corporate Law
- Property Law
- Tort Law
- Law of Evidence
- Equity and Trusts
- Remedies
This is the core law school curriculum which is taught in all Commonwealth countries including Canada, United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia.
In the United Kingdom, this curriculum is taught in a variety of programs which you can choose from:
- 3 Year LL.B. Degree Program
- Specialized 2 Year LL.B and 1 year LLM Masters Program
- 2 Year Accelerated LL.B. Degree
- 1 Year Standalone LLM Masters Program
The 3 Year LL.B. Degree Program:
This option is most preferable if you are planning on applying to law school directly from a Canadian high school. However, you can also apply to this program with any level of post-secondary college or university education.
Being enrolled in this program is equivalent to the Canadian law school experience, the first two years are comprised of the core law school curriculum and the third is compromised of elective courses.
The advantage with attending this program in the United Kingdom is that you would not need to study in a 4 year undergraduate program in Canada, and can attend law school straight from high school. Whereas in Canada, a mandatory prerequisite to law school is an undergraduate degree program.
Pursuing this option saves both time and money and is a great option if you have decided to practice law at an earlier age without having to explore alternative options.
The Specialized 2 Year LL.B and 1 Year LLM Masters Program
Since the legal field is becoming increasingly competitive, this route gives Canadian’s a competitive advantage when they return to Canada upon the completion of their legal studies.
By completing the LL.B. and a Masters program in the United Kingdom, you’ll have a higher designation than Canadian law school students who only obtain one degree in the same three year period.
Another advantage to taking this route is that upon your return to Canada, the accreditation process is much faster to complete as you’ll be required to write fewer examinations to convert your credentials.
The 2 Year Accelerated LL.B Degree
This option is most preferable if you have completed an undergraduate degree in Canada and wish to apply to law school in the United Kingdom. This program is similar to the program offered in Canadian law schools, but is a fast tracked version for Canadian students who have already completed an undergraduate degree.
In Canada, the first two years of law school is comprised of the core law school curriculum, whereas the third year of study is elective courses. This accelerated program is the same as the program offered in Canada, however it is only comprised of the core law school curriculum. It is fast tracked and omits the need for an extra year of study with elective courses.
The law schools in the United Kingdom understand that you have already completed an undergraduate degree and have acquired the essential writing and communication skills that are developed through taking elective courses, and thus they allow you to fast track your legal education. This option is not available in Canada.
The 1 Year Standalone LLM Masters Program
The LLM is a 12 month Masters program which allows you to specialize in your selected area of law. It qualifies you as a specialist in the legal field of your study.
The advantage of taking this program in the United Kingdom is that you can apply to it directly after completing an undergraduate degree in Canada. Whereas, in Canada in order to obtain a Masters you need to have completed the mandatory prerequisite of a law degree.
If you still need help deciding which program to apply to, our Professional Student Advisors can simplify your decision and help you choose.