Admission to practice law, or being licensed to practice law, as a lawyer is a widely varied process across the world. Common to all the jurisdictions are requirements of age, competence, honesty and sometimes citizenship. However, the most varied requirements are those surrounding the preparation for the license, whether it includes obtaining a law degree, passing an exam, or serving in an apprenticeship. In English, admission is also
[1] called a
law license.
In the People's Republic of China, to become a lawyer one must first obtain an undergraduate law degree (B.A. which lasts four years), pass the National Judicial Examination, and complete a one year apprenticeship.[2]
All that is required for the practice of law in Fiji is a Bachelor of Law degree (which lasts four years), although that requirement may also be waived upon petition with another degree and/or sufficient legal experience.[3]
Hong Kong makes a distinction between barristers and solicitors. Admission to both professions require a law degree (either the LL.B. which lasts four years, or the Juris Doctor which is a second entry program and lasts two years) and the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (which requires nine months), however the apprenticeship requirement to become a barrister is only one year, while a solicitor must apprentice for two years.[4]
