Status and Requirements of Students-at-Law < Admission Information

The following statutory and regulatory provisions relating to students-at-law will provide you with information relating to the position of students-at-law within the Law Society of New Brunswick. It is noteworthy that students-at-law are essentially "student members" of the Society with certain attendant rights and obligations.

22(1) In this section, "university" means an institution of higher learning, including a college, which awards degrees at the baccalaureate level acceptable to the Society.

(a) have successfully completed at least two years of university studies in a program approved by Council leading to a degree in a field other than law, and

(b) be enrolled in or have successfully completed a program approved by Council of studies leading to a degree in common law.

22(3) To qualify for admission as a barrister and solicitor, every person applying must have successfully completed:

(a) at least two years of university studies in a program approved by Council leading to a degree in a field other than law, and

22(4) Notwithstanding clauses (2)(a) and (3)(a), Council may admit as a barrister and solicitor or student-at-law any person who has not successfully completed at least two years of studies at a university in a program approved by Council leading to a degree in a field other than law where Council finds, on the basis of the person's experience, maturity and outstanding qualities that the person merits an opportunity to practise or study law.

22(5) Notwithstanding clauses (2)(b) and (3)(b), Council may admit as a barrister or solicitor or student-at-law, any person who has successfully completed a program of studies leading to a degree in law other than a program approved by Council leading to a degree in common law if the person,

(a) in the case of an applicant for admission as a barrister and solicitor, has successfully completed, or

(b) in the case of an applicant for admission as a student-at-law, is enrolled in or has successfully completed,

a program of studies approved by Council to make the applicant’s legal education equivalent to a degree in common law and, in the case of an applicant for admission as a barrister and solicitor, has passed such subjects in the program as are prescribed by Council.

22(6) Notwithstanding subsection (2) and (3), in the case of an application for admission as a student-at-law or a barrister and solicitor by a person who was admitted to practise law in another jurisdiction, the Council may admit a person who has educational qualifications equivalent to those required by subsection (2).

Next: Procedure for Admission of Student at Law