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Saturday 1 May 2010

Becoming a Lawyer in Trinidad and Tobago

Q: I've been considering becoming a Lawyer in Trinidad, but it seems so hard and it looks like it will take me FOREVER!



A: Deciding to become an Attorney/Lawyer is a great choice! Although it may seem like a saturated field, everyday many people sign up to pursue the career. Don't think negatively!

Here's what you need to do after you browse the Legal Profession Act 1986

A. Majority of Entrants

1. Law degree from the University of the West Indies (LLB) plus, legal education certificate obtained after a two-year course at the law schools. Such persons are automatically accepted for entry as UWI LLB graduates.

or

2. Law degree from other recognised universities
(including an external University of London degree) plus the Legal Education Certificate (LEC). Affected persons are required to compete by examination for limited available places.

B. Others

1. Overseas qualification as a practitioner
(barrister, solicitor, attorney, etc.) plus legal education certificate (lec) obtained after a six-month course at the law schools. (no examinations for entry or to obtain lec- places have been available)

or

2. Admission of commonwealth attorneys of at least ten years call by order of the attorney general and minister of legal affairs. (Always for limited purpose of a specific court matter so far).A person applying to the High Court for admission to the bar is required to satisfy the court that he/she:

(a) is a Commonwealth citizen,
(b) is of good character, and either
(c) holds the qualifications prescribed by law, or
(d) is a person in respect of whom an Order has been
made under Section 15A.

By virtue of Section 15 (1A), a national of Trinidad & Tobago who-
(a) has passed the Bar Finals or the Bar Vocational Course at an institution validated by the General Council of the Bar of England and Wales, has been called to the Bar of England and Wales and has completed pupillage of at least six (6) months and is certified as such;

(b) has passed the Law Society Finals or the Legal Practice Course at an institution validated by the Law Society of England and Wales and having undertaken articles or a training contract in accordance with the Training Regulations of the Law Society of England and Wales, has been admitted to the roll of solicitors of the Supreme Court of England and Wales;

(c) has passed the Bar Vocational Course at an institution validated by the General Council of the Bar of England and Wales; or

(d) has passed the Legal Practice Course at an institution validated by the Law Society of England and Wales; and

(e) in the case of persons referred to in paragraphs (c) and (d) has obtained a certificate from the head of chambers of an attorney-at-law of not less than ten years standing, practising in Trinidad and Tobago to the effect that the national has undergone an attachment at those chambers for a continuous period of not less than six months doing work relating to the practice of Law, is deemed to hold the qualification prescribed by Law and is entitled, subject to the payment of the prescribed fees, to practise as an attorney-at-law in Trinidad and Tobago.

By virtue of Section 15A, which deals with special cases of admission, the Minister of Legal Affairs, where he considers it necessary or expedient after consultation with the Chief Justice, may by Order provide that a Commonwealth citizen who has been admitted to practise in a Commonwealth country for at least ten years, is eligible to be admitted to practise law in Trinidad and Tobago on such terms and conditions, including but not limited to the duration of the admission, as the Minister may specify in the Order.

240 comments:

  1. That's a question for U.W.I. admissions, but honestly, I do not think that is a possibility.

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  2. HI umm IAM IN FORM SIX AND I AM CURRENTLY DOING HIST, LIT AND SOS and i would like to become a CORPOATE LAWYER ..CAN YOU TELL ME THE NECESSAY STEPS I CAN TAKE TO BECOME THIS TYPE OF LAWYER AND CAN I WORK IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD? PLEASE HELP ME THANK YOU

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  3. ok googd night i am 18 years old i do cape A level and i would love to pursue a career in law.....what time you said Coporate now from cape what do you suggest i do to get to me dream career..what measures can i take to practice outside of tnt ...what schools should i aateend.....bearing in mind i ammm poorr...but i have a bit of intuition and some analytical skills.please advise me ...what about the saturation of the profession. Is it even in demand in Trinidad!//helppppppppppp what to do after cape!!!

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  4. HI ok so i am a young girl and im 18 years of age who is about to finish cape and my parents and i are migrating to the USA TO LIVE is it possible for me to become a corporate lawyer ..and if so what steps do you suggest i take ...also do you have to take a bar exam like for ever state ..i would like to do this in NewYork..please help me law was a a passion of mine since primary school! I want to do it ans get into the field considering CAPE should i do SAT .please advise me none is guiding me!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 1. SAT
      2. Complete Bachelor's degree
      3. Law School for Juris Doctor
      4. NYS Bar Exam

      Good luck.

      Delete
  5. Hello, I'm in the process of reading your comments. Here is my scenario, after csec, I'm thinking about pursuing an associate degree in paralegal studies in COSTAATT then attend uwi to obtain the llb. In comparison with the more costly uol programmes, where I can do the do the common law programme without a levels passes then straight into year two of the three year programme after completion. Do you think the cost is worth it? Id like to know the difference since costaatt and uwi is noticed internationally now. Please answer.

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  6. Okay nvm I got the answer wayyyy up there ^

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  7. Hi Greetings, I am struggling between making a decision to study at Hugh Wooding Law School or to do the BVPC or LPC in England then do the 6 month conversion course. I am currently doing the LLB at the UWI Cavehill Campus and I have a National Exhibition Scholarship. I really need help on this next journey in my life,can you help me please? Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Why is that a struggle?

      The LPC/BPTC is superior in all aspects. This is especially true for the practical training; at HWLS the 10-week in-service training requirement is unregulated, so there's no guarantee that a newly called lawyer is capable... then we wonder why the legal system is in shambles.

      Law isn't OJT.

      Delete
  8. Greetings, I love the fact that you take the time to reply to the queries which prospective lawyers have. I would like to ask you a question. When I called Hugh Wooding Law School, it was brought to my attention that those who do an LPC cannot do the 6 months programme, they must do over the full LEC. Those who have completed a BPTC can practice is certain countries but in others you need to do the 6 Month Transitional Programme. I have read all your comments and saw your responses, I see you have told people that you can practice law in the Caribbean with just an LPC but this does not appear so. Has the policies therefore been changed? What would you say?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Jeshau, can you say if pupillage is required with the bptc for the Transnational Programme at Hugh Wooding?

      Delete
  9. So I am currently pursuing a Political Science Major with an emphasis in Pre-Law at an American University. I am strongly thinking about returning home to practice law, therefore Hugh Wooding Law school is now a serious option for me to consider as I will eventually take the road of studying law at the graduate level. I have reviewed the requirements but still somewhat confused, as it says University of London and UWI Universities graduates can apply to Hugh Wooding once they have a law degree at the undergraduate level. However, most American Universities do not have a standard law degree at the undergraduate level (some have the pre-law option under Political Science or Social Sciences as I am currently enrolled but no Bachelor of Science in Law at the undergraduate level). So where does this leave me in terms of my options to apply for Hugh Wooding? Also once graduated from Hugh Wooding what are the further requirements to sit the bar exam in Trinidad and Tobago?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pre-law is not a law degree... you will have to do the JD first if you insist on practising in T&T...

      Delete
  10. Hi,
    I'm in form three and I would love to become a lawyer in the future. I would like to know what are the subjects required to become a lawyer. Hoping to get a reply. Thanks😊

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi! I am an aIndian Citizen currently living in Port of Spain. I have completed my law degree from India this year and would like to commence ans establish my practice here in T & T. Is there any way i can do that? Please assist>

    ReplyDelete
  12. Unfortunately it wouldnt since the Faculty of law at uwi only recognises UWI degrees.

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  13. After completion of the GDL and LPC can the 6mth attachment be done in - house or must it be done with a firm?

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  14. I know this an old thread. Does the class of your UOL - llb really matter? As I'm on the border of a 2:2 /3...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It doesn't, but if you're doing that poorly, I am actually concerned about you being an Attorney.

      Delete
  15. I agree a 3rd isn't good but it was just a question. For clarity the most common class of degree received by UOL is a 2:2. Its nothing like UWI, there is no coursework in any of the modules. I assumed that all UK llb"s used this 100% assessment method but that's not the case.

    I didn't do so well in my 2nd year exams for personal reasons and I also work full time. ( which I will never recommend to anyone).
    But I'm pushing on to ensure I don't get a 3rd!!! I'm sure I'm not the only one in this situation.
    Not everyone has the financial ability /support to give up their job and study abroad,some have no choice but to juggle, it doesn't mean I'm an overall "poor" student that will go on to be a "poor" lawyer.

    ReplyDelete
  16. apologies if this has been previously covered but I am compling a LLM (Legal Practice) in the UK and have been told that by doing so I will need to have my university provide me with a separate certificate stating I have completed a LPC - does the TT bar not accept a UK LLM? Also by being a qualified solicitor in TT, is there an Caribbean wide acceptance? Can I be qualified in TT and practice in say St Kitts or the Bahamas?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Staffs offer the LLM (Legal Practice) as the LPC with a Masters 'upgrade' - its recognised in the UK as equal (if not higher) to the LPC qualification

      Delete
    2. You are probably confused by that course. Here's how the LLM (Legal Practice) works. You first complete your LPC and then you do a "top-up" where you complete additional modules towards a Masters. Therefore, having your LPC, would not be an issue because you would've completed it.

      the LLM is not a Qualifying Law Degree towards entry to legal practice... only the LLB, GDL, LPC, BVC (BPTC) are.

      Good luck, so to assume that the LLM is "equal" is incorrect.

      Delete
  17. the issue with the course is that we are not issued an LPC certificate separate to the LLM certificate and from what other students have told me the law association in TT do not accept the LLM (Legal Practice) as equivalent to the LPC

    So after all that, do I need to request for my university to provide me with a separate LPC certificate to provide to the law association?

    Also once qualified in TT can I work across the Caribbean without having to do additional training for say the Bahamas?

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  18. I have a BSc in occupational safety health and the environment I would like to become a lawyer what step I should take

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  19. Hello, I alsohave an LLB and LPC and wish to do the 6 month transitional program to practice in the Caribbean( not only Trinidad), is a UK training contract still required prior to entry on the 6 month program?

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  20. I am a lawyer in India with an B.A. LLB degree and has my bar council license of India. I am married to a Trinidadian and will like to practice law in Trinidad. What is the process ? Please guide me. Thanks

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  21. Hello, I am 21 and I want to be a corporate lawyer.
    I am confined to two options as of now. Go to UWI and do their LLB or Do a degree via a UK university. There isn’t much that Trinidad offers in terms of a UK university’s llb which is the University. Problem is I have previously done year one in the llb with The UOL but I didn’t meet the required GPA. Now the university is refusing to accept me back into their institution. Which leaves me with uwi as my other option. I don’t have the Alevels requirement to get into the llb with UWI. And I am seeing here that you recommend the UK which also goes with what I want to do. I’ve always dreamt about studying in the UK. However now I will have to find another UK university to pursue the LLb , is there any that you can recommend? I will have to do this either online or go to London..which I know will be a lot of money. If not this option, then I will have to go back and do the alevels to meet the requirements. I’m so frustrated right now.. can you advise me?

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  22. Do I have to go to form 6 to become a lawyer?

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  23. I am currently in my last year of form 6, and I would like to pursue a career in cooperate law. Can I study in Canada if I want to practice in Trinidad? If yes what are the steps that you recommend I should take?

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  24. Hi,

    I am currently a practicing attorney at law in Suriname for almost 10 years now. I am also studying in the UK to obtain an LLM in common Law. I am in my final stages. My aim is to become a licensed Attorney in the Caricom (with focus in Trinidad). Could you provide me with some insights how I should continue this pursuit and what relevant requirements I should meet?

    Thanks in advance.

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  25. How do I become a lawyer if I have a criminal record

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  26. Is the GDL still being recognised as a QLD in Trinidad? Would I be able to be called to the bar with a GDL, LPC and a 6 month attachment?

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi, I will be an (UK) LLB Law graduate soon.
    I aspire to become a Intellectual Property Attorney. To become an IP attorney in the UK, you must complete a training contract. Do you have any suggestions of how to access a similar training role in Trinidad or Tabago or just generally what steps need to be taken to become an IP attorney.

    Thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. To practice in any field, you will need experience. When doing your training contract either in the UK or T&T, do it at a law firm that has IP Attorneys to give you that specialized training.

      After that, you can look into doing a Masters in the field.

      Delete
  28. Hello do you know any gdl online programmes? Also there has been a court case concerning law students being able to attain their law degree outside of UWI and Hughwooding. Do you recommend I still try to attain my qualification through England?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I studied in England, so I'll always be biased towards British education.

      Delete

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