Studying Law in Spain (in Spanish)

[Unregistered]

hello,

Ok, basically I have a degree in Politics from the University of Glasgow, Scotland. I am considering studying Law and thinking about doing it in Spain as I love the country.

I studied Spanish in university as well and I am (more or less) fluent. I studied in Barcelona for a year doing Erasmus so I hope I would be able to get on ok again.

How long would a law degree in Spain take?

How much would it cost at a public university?

Are there any opportunities to do a fast-track graduate course?

Finally, perhaps the most important question. Would it be easier to do my degree in Scotland and then qualify in Spain later on?

gracias!!

[Lawbird Lawyer]

Dear Sir/Madam,


Further to your query, I address the points you raise:-


How long would a law degree in Spain take?

The Law degree used to be 5 years although with the new reforms it has been reduced in many universities to a 4 years degree.

How much would it cost at a public university?

In a public university you will only have to pay the matrÃ*cula, the rest is free. The matrÃ*cula can be several hundred euros.

Are there any opportunities to do a fast-track graduate course?

Not that I am aware of.

Finally, perhaps the most important question. Would it be easier to do my degree in Scotland and then qualify in Spain later on?

The UK follows the case law system, in Spain we follow the continental system. They are both very different systems. A law degree is Glasgow will leave you ill prepared -to put it mildly- to act as a lawyer in Spain.

UK solicitors acting in Spain, unless they have a Spanish Law degree, only have very limited market nieches to work in. It's much easier for a German lawyer for example to understand and practise fully Spanish law than a UK solicitor because of the difference in systems.

[Unregistered]

ok, thanks a lot for getting back to me!

I am new to Law in general and so did not realise there was such as a difference.

However, I am considering moving to Spain in any case.

Thank you,

Peter

[Lawbird Lawyer]

You're welcome Peter.

I wish you good luck.

Regards,

[Unregistered]

Hello,

I hold a law degree from Canada (continental European law i.e., civilian system).
I would like to know how to get accredited in Spain in order to qualify there to become a 'Spanish' lawyer.

Would anyone know which administrative body I have to contact?
What are the chances of my foreign degree being recognised there?

Thank you.

Foreign Lawyer

[Lawbird Lawyer]

Dear colleague,

The best thing would be for you to contact one of the Spanish Bar Associations (Colegio de Abogados) which will explain in detail the necessary steps that you must take to homologate your degree in Law.

It would be advisable you contact the Bar Association of the province you wish to work in.

Regards,

[nswlegal]

I wish I were able to leave a link to the source, but I can't. So, it'll have to be copy/paste. How to apply for recognition? At present there are two types of recognition (which are not compatible but, can be requested either consecutively or simultaneously):

Recognition of a degree from the Catalogue of official university qualifications (recognition as a specific qualification, such as a Bachelor’s Degree in Law or a Diploma in Physiotherapy). I guess, this is the one you need.

Procedure: What documents to show

The interested party sets the procedure in motion by completing the application form and submitting it together with the following documentation (do not hand over original documents as these will not be returned):

Certified copy[1] of the document that proves the identity and nationality of the applicant.
Certified copy of the degree the applicant seeks to validate or the corresponding certificate of issue.
Certified copy of the academic certification of the studies completed by the applicant to obtain the degree and which includes the official duration of the course in academic years, the course curriculum, subjects and number of hours devoted to each, among other information.[2]
Proof of payment of the corresponding tax: certified either by machine or by an authorised signature that accredits the payment, deposit or transfer to the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport.

Documents issued abroad must fulfil the following requisites:

They must be official documents that have been issued by the authorities responsible for doing so in accordance with the legislation of the country in question.
Before being submitted, documents must be authenticated either by the applicant’s embassy or, when applicable, by the Hague Convention Apostille This will not be required for documents issued by authorities in European Union Member States or countries that have signed the European Economic Area Agreement.
Documents must be accompanied, where applicable, by an official translation into Spanish.

The application form can be submitted and printed in two ways:

Electronic office Processes and Services[1]
By downloading the corresponding form from the web page of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport.

Now the important part.
The purpose of professional recognition of qualifications is to overcome the obstacles that nationals from a State may encounter when attempting to start work in a given profession and lead to an authorisation to exercise a specific profession in the new State of residence. This is intended to support professionals rather than students. This legislation[1] applies exclusively to nationals of the 27 Member States of the European Union, the non-EU States that have signed the European Economic Area Agreement (Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) and Switzerland.
Unfortunately, I think, being a Canadian, you might have a problem.

Good luck with it anyway. I hope I was of assistance. Appology for going at length.

[Unregistered]

Hola,

Please can you tell me the steps in order for a dual qualified barrister (UK common-law and another non-European mixed civil jurisdiction) to become qualified to work as a lawyer in Spain? Is there a particular European route?

What if your Spanish language skills are elementary?

How much does qualifying cost; How long does it take and what is the best/quickest method?

Is Law School in Madrid obligatory? Is there a Law School in Barcelona?

Muchas Gracias

[Lawbird Lawyer]

Dear colleague,

Please can you tell me the steps in order for a dual qualified barrister (UK common-law and another non-European mixed civil jurisdiction) to become qualified to work as a lawyer in Spain? Is there a particular European route?

Once you've decided in which part of Spain you want to settle and work in you must contact the local Bar Association to have your law degree homologated. You will not have to pass any exams.

It takes on average 12 months. After that you will be able to join your local Bar Association as become a practising solicitor.


What if your Spanish language skills are elementary?

That will be a major setback as you can imagine all laws are passed in Spanish and very few are actually available in English language.

But don't let this deter you, there are many practising UK barristers working in Spain beside all the dually qualified lawyers allowed to practise both in the UK and in Spain.

How much does qualifying cost; How long does it take and what is the best/quickest method?

It takes on average 12 months. As explained above, you should contact the Bar association where you plan to settle and work in. Spain is a diverse country compromised of 17 autonomous regions and each of them have thier own rules besides the common laws.

Is Law School in Madrid obligatory? Is there a Law School in Barcelona?

No it isn't but it will be in a few years time. All lawyers will be requires to pass an exam to become practising lawyers. A Law school (Escuela de Práctica JurÃ*dica) which compements the five year law degree is advisable albeit not mandatory.

Muchas Gracias

¡De nada!

[Unregistered]

Thank you. This is the most helpful forum I've seen so far on this subject. How can I contact a local Bar Association in Spain. Cant seem to find anything on the net. Any help would be great.

Dear colleague,

Please can you tell me the steps in order for a dual qualified barrister (UK common-law and another non-European mixed civil jurisdiction) to become qualified to work as a lawyer in Spain? Is there a particular European route?

Once you've decided in which part of Spain you want to settle and work in you must contact the local Bar Association to have your law degree homologated. You will not have to pass any exams.

It takes on average 12 months. After that you will be able to join your local Bar Association as become a practising solicitor.


What if your Spanish language skills are elementary?

That will be a major setback as you can imagine all laws are passed in Spanish and very few are actually available in English language.

But don't let this deter you, there are many practising UK barristers working in Spain beside all the dually qualified lawyers allowed to practise both in the UK and in Spain.

How much does qualifying cost; How long does it take and what is the best/quickest method?

It takes on average 12 months. As explained above, you should contact the Bar association where you plan to settle and work in. Spain is a diverse country compromised of 17 autonomous regions and each of them have thier own rules besides the common laws.

Is Law School in Madrid obligatory? Is there a Law School in Barcelona?

No it isn't but it will be in a few years time. All lawyers will be requires to pass an exam to become practising lawyers. A Law school (Escuela de Práctica JurÃ*dica) which compements the five year law degree is advisable albeit not mandatory.

Muchas Gracias

¡De nada!