Legal Practice in BC

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Subject: Legal Practice in BC
  Apologies if this has been asked before. I am attorney licensed in two states in the United States. If I wished to immigrate to BC and practice law there, would I have to first achieve PR status, or could I seek and obtain a job and then apply? I am guessing that PR status would certainly help in a job search. (Naturally, a related issue is bar qualification in BC -- can I do that now, or do I need to already have a job, given the need to do an articling period in Canada with a principal.)

Totally unrelated question -- I am a dual British and American citizen. Is one of these better than the other in an application? Given I would be applying from the US, I am guessing US makes a whole lot more sense, unless there is a compelling reason otherwise.

Last question! When you get PR clearance . . . how long can you wait till you actually move to Cananda?

Thanks.


[02-05-2005,17:45]
[**.242.137.170]
markh
(in reply to: Legal Practice in BC)
http://www.cba.org/bc/home/main/default.aspx
[02-05-2005,17:49]
[***.20.170.23]
sharon
(in reply to: Legal Practice in BC)
Thanks, but that site doesn´t have anything really on point (the law society page has a lot about qualifying, but nothing about any immigration issues -- not that I would expect it to). Anyway, thanks for the response.

Sorry for the prior duplicate post, by the way.

[02-05-2005,18:00]
[**.242.137.170]
markh
(in reply to: Legal Practice in BC)
you must be a citizen or permanent resident in order to be admitted to practice in BC (and almost anywhere else in Canada)

I believe an exception is made for "foreign legal consultants" The BC Law Society homepage should have information about it.

You can start the admission process prior to getting your PR -- first you have to get your credentials evaluated by the Committee on Accreditation of Foreign Lawyers (or some such name) Then once you have your Certificate of Qualification, you apply to a provincial law society for admission. be wared though almost every province requires a period of apprenticeship before admission -- even for lawyers who have extensive experience elsewhere. I think you will have to have your PR before beginning the apprenticeship ("articling")

The website for the National Committee on Accreditation is http://www.flsc.ca/en/foreignLawyers/foreignLawyers.asp

[02-05-2005,18:10]
[**.90.75.12]
grendel
(in reply to: Legal Practice in BC)
Thank you, Grendel.

[03-05-2005,13:43]
[**.242.137.170]
markh
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