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How to Become a Lawyer in Quebec

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The practice of law can be one of the most demanding and rewarding professions. Prospective lawyers are required to undergo years of intensive education and training before they can practice in the field. In Quebec, a province of Canada, prospective lawyers must undergo an application process before becoming a member of the Quebec Bar.

Obtain an undergraduate degree in Quebec Civil Law. The degree must be completed at one of the following six universities: Laval University, Ottawa University, University of Sherbrooke, University of Montreal, McGill University, or Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM).

Complete the 4 month professional training period at the Quebec Bar School, following by a 6 month articling period. See the link in the Resources section below for further information.

Sit for an examination in both spoken and written French, set by the Office de la Langue Francaise. You must obtain a passing score of 60% before you can proceed with your application to the Quebec Bar.

Obtain a Canadian Police Certificate (certificate of good conduct). At the time of application, the certificate must be no more than 3 months old. If you do not currently reside in Canada, you must obtain a federal police certificate from your current country of residence.

Organize the appropriate fees. A non-refundable fee of $1,000 Canadian Dollars is required for your application to be processed. Payment can be in the form of a money order, cashier's check, or credit card (Visa or MasterCard), and must be made out to the Barreau de Quebec.

Submit originals of the required documentation, in addition to the required fees, to:

Equivalences Committee of the Barreau du Quebec 445 Saint-Laurent Blvd. Montreal, Quebec Canada, H2Y 3T8

Tip

Lawyers who are already a member of a bar in other provinces of Canada or other countries internationally also can become a lawyer in Quebec. In these cases it is recommended that lawyers applying to the Quebec Bar complete one of the following courses in Quebec Common Law:

Université du Québec à Montréal: Course # JUR5615 - Introduction à la Common Law Ottawa University: Course # DRC1505 - Initiation aux méthodes de la Common Law University of Montreal: Course # DRT1010 - Fondements du droit 1 McGill University: Course # CMPL 602 - Common Law Perspectives

References
Resources
Tips
  • Lawyers who are already a member of a bar in other provinces of Canada or other countries internationally also can become a lawyer in Quebec. In these cases it is recommended that lawyers applying to the Quebec Bar complete one of the following courses in Quebec Common Law:
  • Université du Québec à Montréal: Course # JUR5615 - Introduction à la Common Law
  • Ottawa University: Course # DRC1505 - Initiation aux méthodes de la Common Law
  • University of Montreal: Course # DRT1010 - Fondements du droit 1
  • McGill University: Course # CMPL 602 - Common Law Perspectives
Writer

Charlie Higgins is journalist, editor and translator based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He has written for a variety of lifestyle and niche market websites, including International Food Trader, The Olive Oil Times, microDINERO, Sounds and Colours, Connecting Worlds and The Buenos Aires Reader.