Barrister at Law Degree

maithanfear

Just wondering whether the Kings Inn Barrister at Law degree is recognised in foreign jurisdictions? If I am trained as a barrister in Ireland can I practice as a lawyer in any of the common law countries such as Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Canada or the United States?

johnnyskeleton

maithanfear wrote: »

Just wondering whether the Kings Inn Barrister at Law degree is recognised in foreign jurisdictions? If I am trained as a barrister in Ireland can I practice as a lawyer in any of the common law countries such as Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Canada or the United States?

It is usually recognised as a law degree, but it doesn't entitle you to practise in any of those countries. You would need to qualify under their own qualification schemes.

hullaballoo

It's recognised in the sense that you're considered a foreign-trained lawyer. Depending on the country you want to work in, there are things called conversion degrees/courses which are usually short and have exams at the end. (The above is true for some of the common law/former commonwealth jurisdictions.)

The US operates on a codified law basis and although the legal system there has historic similarities with the common law system, qualifying and working in the US is very different.

I know absolutely nothing about Hong Kong other than that it's legal system is still similar to E&W and that it now belongs to PRC but hasn't adopted all of PRC's laws.

NoQuarter

I'm sure you could work as an in-house lawyer but to practice at their bar (if they have one), as the others have said, you may need to do a conversion course. You need to check the specific jurisdictions.

For example, after 3 years you can automatically practice at the UK bar (you just need to fill out some paperwork). For the US, specifically NY and CA, you just need to sit the bar exams and pass.

Tom Young

Pupilage being complete is a major plus ... the Bosman rule usually operates in most Common Law jurisdictions.