Process for foreign-trained lawyers to qualify to practice law in any Canadian province

Foreign-trained lawyers can qualify to practice law in any Canadian province. In Ontario, almost 30% of lawyers admitted to the bar in 2015 received their legal education outside of Canada. Generally, a candidate must:
• They have attained education equivalent of a Canadian Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.
• Complete the licensing process.
• Be called to the bar in the province in which they plan to practice.

Educational equivalency is determined by the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA). The NCA is a standing committee of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. It is made up of representatives from the Committee of Canadian Law Deans, members of the practising bar, and members involved with the administration of provincial law societies. The Committee evaluates the legal training and professional experience of persons with foreign or non-common law legal credentials and who seek admission to a Bar in Canada. Once a file is assessed by the NCA, an applicant may be asked to complete one or more exams and/or attend and complete specific law school courses within a prescribed time frame. On successful completion of these requirements, the NCA issues a certificate of qualification.

Once a foreign-trained lawyer has obtained a certificate of qualification, the requirements for becoming licensed to practice are generally the same as a Canadian-trained lawyer. Licensing requirements vary by province. In all provinces, candidates must obtain a law degree from a law school that is accredited by the provincial law society or the National Committee on Accreditation.
Once that requirement has been met, candidates must typically pass an exam and complete articles with a law firm. Candidates must also complete ten months of articles under the supervision of a practising lawyer principal, or an alternative such as the eight-month Law Practice Program. Other provinces have similar, but not identical, examination and experiential training requirements. All provinces also have character and fitness requirements that must be met. All lawyers can conduct litigation in court. They are licensed as both barristers and solicitors in the common law provinces, or as advocates in Québec. Typically, however, only lawyers who focus their practice on litigation will conduct litigation in court.