Thread: UK student taking NY bar exam

Hi all, I am a UK law graduate, and I was wondering:
1) if I am eligible on the basis of my 3 yr degree?
2) Can I study for the exam at home without attending a Course?
3) How long would it take to prepare properly?

Good Luck Jeffy~~

1) I applied on the basis of my 3 year law degree to the New York State Board of Law Examiners and I received letter stating that I could sit for the Exams. Unlike in England, you are not required to study a particular course prior to taking the bar exam. It is my experience that a three year degree (or 4 year part time) in English law will qualify a candidate to take the NY bar exam, although one should always check with the NY Bar examiners.
2) If you buy the Barbri books online, I would just follow the outline. the only thing you'd be missing is the lectures, which review the material in the BIG books.
3) I attended the course lectures from 9am-1pm everyday and then studied (did the homework assignemnts) from 2 or 3pm until 8 or 9pm everyday. I passed on the first try, but I am sure everyone is different.

Source: nylawyer.com

Dear Student,

If you have graduated from a UK University with an honours degree in Law and studied on the campus (ie not as a distant student) for 3 years, there should be no problem of getting the eligiblity to sit for the New York Bar exams.

If you want to study for a "home study" course, Celebration Bar Review, the Study Group, and Holborn College run these courses. I think the Barbri also run a "home study" course. The New York Exams are tough, so it is recommended that you have access to a supporting mentor.

In order to prepare for the exams, you can prepare for them in 6 months if you study continously for 6-8 hours per day. But I have known students who have sat for the exams more once and had to rectify their mistakes over a longer peroid of time.

I hope what I have advised is useful. Good luck with the exams. You will find that to study for the exams, it is one of the most challenging and exciting time in your legal career.

Originally Posted by ghazala

If you have graduated from a UK University with an honours degree in Law and studied on the campus (ie not as a distant student) for 3 years, there should be no problem of getting the eligiblity to sit for the New York Bar exams.

would that include any UK university? there's any difference for who had studied in Scotland?

Scotland is civil. You have to have a degree from a common law jurisdiction. My Irish degree was accepted. Themis is another option for distance study

yep, that's why I was asking about Scotland. But, for those who have done a dual qualifying degree in Scots and English law or have converted to English law? they have the same opportunities, right?

hI, im appearing for ccalifornia bar in feb 2012 any advice coz i guess u hav a lot of knowledge about this,

thanks