International Career info

[rvh]

Hello,

I was wondering whether anyone could provide me with some information about how international a lawyers career can be when receiving a bachelor's degree from Spain. Soon I'll be starting my bachelor's degree in law at a public Spanish university in Madrid.

Before becoming a practicing solicitor you have to have completed a LLB and LLM + 1 year internship, is that right?

and,

After receiving my degrees, will it be possible to practice law abroad in other countries?

Information of how everything works will be much appreciated.

Thank you,

Rainer

[Lawbird Lawyer]

Hi Rainer

Surely you must be referring to the UK Legal System.

Currently in Spain, unlike other European countries, you do not need to pass a training period to qualify as a lawyer. You can attain a Law degree (LL.B in Law) and immediately request to join one of Spain's regional Bar Associations to practice Law.

However, serious law students join Law Practice Schools after attaining their Law degree which is an equivalent to a Master's degree (LL.M. in Law).

However, this is set to change in the near future as a new law, "Ley de Acceso a la AbogacÃ*a", is bound to be passed requiring an exam to be taken to qualify as a lawyer. It is still uncertain what this exam will consist on, as negotiations are ongoing. It has generated great controversy. But it seems it will consist on both multiple choice questions besides two practical cases. A Law graduate will be required to study additionally 100 credits in a period spaning two years before being able to take this exam.

The introduction of this new law will bring an unexpected consequence to the Labor market. Between 2012 and 2013 there will be no Law graduates available in Spain to be recruited as they will all be studying the compulsory 2 year Master to take the Bar exam.

More on this new law:

http://www.expansion.com/2010/05/11/...273571937.html

You may want to check our Immigration sub-forum (http://belegal.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=9) which is awash with similar queries.

Sincerely
Raymundo LarraÃ*n Nesbitt