LAWYER (LEGAL PRACTIONER)

Legal Practitioners possess university qualifications, usually a law degree, requiring four or five years of study and a course of practical legal training.  Combined degrees such as Arts/Law or Economics/Law are also acceptable.

Admission to the Supreme Court of NSW as a Legal Practitioner is essential to practise in NSW.

Before being admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW as a Legal Practitioner, applicants must have their qualifications assessed.  Applications for assessment of academic qualifications should be made to the Legal Profession Admission Board (LPAB).  All applicants for admission as a Legal Practitioner are required to have completed academic and practical legal training.  Some applicants may apply to the Board for an exemption to complete the academic and practical legal training. More information can be found on the website of the LPAB, click here to go to the relevant webpage.

Legal Practitioners may choose to practise as a barrister or as solicitor.  Legal Practitioners wishing to practise as a barrister need to apply to the NSW Bar Association to be issued with a practising certificate as a barrister. Legal Practitioners wishing to practice as a solicitor need to apply to the Law Society to be issued with a practising certificate.

Upon successful completion of these requirements, the Board will recommend to the Supreme Court of NSW admittance as a Legal Practitioner.  All Legal Practitioners are sworn in by the Court before being able to practise.

All overseas-trained Legal Practitioners are required to undertake additional study to fulfil the academic and legal training requirements before they can be admitted as Legal Practitioners. The Legal Profession Admission Board will assess what additional academic and practical legal studies are required. 

RECOGNITION PROCEDURES

Apply to the Legal Profession Admission Board for assessment of academic qualifications.

Undertake additional study if required.

Complete Academic and Practical Legal Training if required.

Solicitors - Apply to the Law Society of NSW for a Practising Certificate.

Barristers - Apply to the NSW Bar Association for a Practising Certificate.

                    

ASSESSING / REGISTERING AUTHORITY

Legal Profession Admission Board  
Level 4      
37 Bligh St
SYDNEY NSW 2000
or
GPO Box 3980
SYDNEY NSW 2001
Ph: (02) 9338 3500
Fax: (02) 9338 3555
Email: ag_lpab@agd.nsw.gov.au
Web: www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lpab

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

The Law Society of New South Wales
170 Phillip St
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Ph: (02) 9926 0333
Fax: (02) 9231 5809
Email: lawsociety@lawsocnsw.asn.au
Web: www.lawsociety.com.au

The New South Wales Bar Association
174 Phillip St
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Ph: (02) 9232 4055
Fax: (02) 9221 1149
Email: administration@nswbar.asn.au
Web: www.nswbar.asn.au

OTHER INFORMATION

All migrants are required to undertake some form of additional study and examination before they can be admitted as a legal practitioner.  The Legal Profession Admission Board's assessment will indicate what additional studies and examinations are required.

reviewed Jan 2007