Information on Student Admissions

Admissions are subject to the Law Society Act, 1999 ("Act") and the Law Society Rules (the "Rules"),  which include regulations, by-laws and resolutions approved by the governing body of the Law Society.  It remains the responsibility of the applicant to be aware of and meet all the requirements and deadlines necessary for admission to the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador.  Should questions arise considering these requirements, these questions should be addressed directly to the Law Society.

 

Requirements in the Act

 

Admission of students is dealt with in section 35 of the Act.  Applications for admission are considered by the Education Committee. Sections 35 (1) & (2) of the Act state:

 

35 (1) The evaluation of all matters relating to the academic qualifications, character and fitness to practice of an applicant, and the evaluation of applications for enrolment as a member or for admission as a student, is under the control of an education committee which the benchers shall establish and maintain.

 

(2) The Education committee shall consider all matters relating to academic qualifications, character and fitness to practice of an applicant for enrolment as a member or for admission as a student and shall prescribe the contents of bar admission examinations and other special examinations or educational requirements.

 

The Education Committee also prescribes the period of Articles of Clerkship, generally 12 months, to be served by an applicant.

 

Requirements in the Rules

 

The Rules provide more detail regarding the requirements for an applicant  applying for admission as a student with the Society.  Rule 6.03 states:

Application for Admission As Student

 

6.03    (1) The Education Committee may approve the admission of a person as a student where that person proves to the Education Committee's satisfaction and in accordance with the rules that the person:

 

(a)       is of good character and reputation; and

 

(b)       (i)         is receiving or has received a degree in common law from a university in Canada recognized by the Education Committee; or

                       

(ii)        has received a degree in common law from a University outside of Canada and has completed such other program of education, training and study that is satisfactory to the Education Committee.

 

(c)        has completed the required application forms and provided all documentation and information required by the Education Committee;

 

(d)       has applied for admission as a student and provided the required application forms, including:

 

(i)         An application for admission as a student in form 6.03A

 

(ii)        Application for enrolment as a student (Applicant's Questionnaire) in form 6.03B

 

(iii)       Two completed sponsor's questionnaires in form 6.03C; and

 

(iv)       Executed Articles of Clerkship as required by rule 6.05A       

 

(e)       has, where required by the Act, Rules or the Education  Committee, bound himself or herself to Articles of Clerkship with a member in accordance with these Rules;

 

(f)        has paid such admission fees as may be fixed from time to time by Benchers;

(g)       has satisfied any other requirements of the Education Committee.

 

(2)       The Education Committee may approve the enrolment of a person admitted as a student under rule 6.03(1) where the person proves to the Education Committee's satisfaction and in accordance with the rules that the person:

 

(a)       continues to be of good character and reputation;

 

(b)       is 19 years of age or over;

 

(c)        has served Articles of Clerkship for a period totalling at least one  year or such other period prescribed by the Education Committee;

 

(d)       has attended and successfully completed the Bar Admission Course and the examinations as prescribed by the Education Committee; 

 

(e)       has completed the required application forms and provided all documentation and information required by the Education Committee; and

 

(f)        has satisfied any other requirements of the Education Committee.

 

(3)       An applicant for admission as a student shall, unless the education committee otherwise determines upon special circumstances, have included in his or her programme of studies as a law student the major basic courses in the following subject areas:

 

(i)         Canadian constitutional law

(ii)        civil procedure

                    (iii)       contracts

                    (iv)       administrative law

(v)        personal property

                    (vi)       real property

(vii)      torts

(viii)     criminal law

(4)       The education committee may refuse admission as a student to any applicant who has not included in his or her programme of studies any one or more courses in the following subject areas:

(i)         commercial law

(ii)        corporation law

(iii)       evidence

                    (iv)       family law

(v)         wills

(vi)       trusts

(vii)       criminal procedure

 

(5)       Except in cases where an applicant has received the approval of the education committee, all of the subjects mentioned in rules 6.03(3) and (4) shall have been studied in relation to the Canadian federal and provincial systems of law.

 

(6)            Where an applicant has received a degree in law but has not completed one or more of the subjects mentioned in rules 6.03(3) or (4) or who has not complied with rule 6.03(5), the applicant, before being admitted as a student:

 

(a)       shall, in case of non-compliance with any part of rules 6.03(3) or 6.03(5) in relation thereto; or

 

(b)       may, in case of non-compliance with rules 6.03(4) or 6.03(5) in relation thereto;

 

be required to make arrangements with a university in Canada recognized by the education committee to study, and write and pass examinations in the subject areas in which the student is otherwise deficient.

 

Documents to be submitted for Student Admission

 

All of the following documents must be submitted by an applicant  applying for admission to the Society as a student before the application is considered by the Education Committee.

 

Please note: The forms noted below can be found on the Law Society website by clicking on Members Services, and then clicking on Law Society Rules.  The forms are found at the end of the Rules.

 

-                   Form 6.03A - Application for Admission as Student and affidavit

-                   Form 6.03B - Application for Enrollment as Student (Applicant=s Questionnaire), including Declaration of Applicant

 

-                   Form 6.03C - Two Sponsor=s Questionnaires, one of which is to be completed by each of the applicant=s two sponsors

 

-                   Form 6.05A - Articles of Clerkship  

 

-                   A transcript from the Law School which the applicant is attending.  In the case of an applicant who has already graduated from Law School, a photocopy of the Law Degree and a transcript from the Law School is required.  (Please note that those applicants who are admitted as students before graduating from Law School will need to submit a photocopy of their Law Degree when it is obtained.) 

 

-                   A cheque or money order in the amount of the $339.00 ($39.00 HST included) payable to the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador for the student application fee.

 

 

As noted in Rule 6.03(3), set out above, the following are required courses:

i)   Canadian Constitutional Law

                        ii)  Civil Procedure

                        iii) Contracts

                        iv) Administrative Law

v)   Personal Property

                        vi)  Real Property

                        vii) Torts

viii) Criminal Law

 

As noted in Rule 6.03(4), set out above, the following are recommended courses:

i)   Commercial Law

                        ii)  Corporation Law

                        iii) Evidence

                        iv)  Family Law

v)   Wills

                        vi)  Trusts

                        vii) Criminal Procedure

Student Fees

 

The following fees are payable at various stages in the admissions process.  Please make cheque or money order payable to the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador.    

 

Please Note:

Fees are subject to change and applicants should contact the Law Society to determine current fees.

 

 

(i)       Student Application Fee -  $339.00 (HST $39.00 included).

The Student Fee must accompany the Application for Admission as a Student.

 

(ii)      Bar Admission Course - $2,429.50 (HST $279.50 included).

The Bar Admission Course fee must be paid at least fourteen (14) days before the Course commences. 

 

(iii)     Call to the Bar Fee  - $649.75 (HST $74.75 included).

           The Call to the Bar fee must be paid at least fourteen days before the date of the Call to the Bar.

 

Please note:

A student must be admitted as a Student-at-Law with the Law Society before any articling time can count.

 

Further details on student admissions are included in the Law Society's Information Package on Admissions. If you would like to receive a copy of this Information Package please contact the Law Society.

Further Information:

 

Should you require further information or have specific questions please contact the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador at the following address:

 

Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador

P.O. Box 1028

4^th Floor, 196-198 Water Street

St. John's, NL

A1C 5M3

 

Attention:      Francis P. O'Brien

Director of Legal Education

 

Telephone:    (709) 722-4740

Fax:                (709) 722-8902