Lawyers
As a Lawyer, you already know that every country has its own laws and judicial system. The challenges you will face in qualifying to practice in Canada will depend on whether the legal system of your first country is Common Law, Civil Law, religious law or a combination. Except for the province of Quebec, Canada’s legal system is based in Common Law.
In the province of Nova Scotia, the best place to start the process is at the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society. The Pathway to Licensure diagram will help point out your options. An Employment Specialist at ISIS can help you figure out the pathway(s) that can work for you.
ISIS offers:
ISIS Professional Self-Assessment Tool
Once you have made the decision to search for work in Canada, recognizing your valuable skills and experience is essential. Self-assessment is an important process in helping you as a newcomer identify these skills and experiences. You can then relate them to how your own profession in Canada is practiced. The purpose of this tool is to make this process as easy as possible by giving you a list of skills and competencies to choose from.
Visit the Self-Assessment Tool
Observer-ship Program for Internationally Trained Lawyers
This program is in development. If you are interested, please let your Employment Specialist know.
Other Useful Websites for Internationally Trained Lawyers
Nova Scotia Barristers Society
Federation of Law Societies of Canada
National Committee on Accreditation
Canadian Bar Association – Nova Scotia
Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University
Masters of Law (LLM) Common Law Program, University of British Columbia
Helpful Hints & Resources
Tips for Lawyers Re-qualifying in Canada – by Alice Toal
Information for Internationally Trained Lawyers – by Janet Kravetz
Alternative Careers for Lawyers
Alternative Careers for Lawyers – By Janice Mucalov, LL.B., September 2009
Internationally Trained Lawyers Multi-stakeholder Work Group
For several years now, the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society has been leading an effort to make changes and improve the licensure processes for IMGs. ISIS and other key stakeholders participate actively on this Work Group to identify barriers and develop solutions. Read more…
Get Started at ISIS
Intake and Registration