The Year Ahead: Advice for Graduating International Law Students Returning to Canada

Attention all law graduates and soon-to-be-graduates! First and foremost, congratulations on completing or nearing the end of your law degree. It's a significant achievement, and you should take a moment to celebrate, perhaps with a short vacation!

Now, let's get to the next phase. While I hate to be the bearer of bad news, the hard work is far from over. You probably already knew that, right?

If you are studying law in the UK or any other country outside Canada, you might feel slightly disconnected from the recruitment process happening back home. Unlike Canadian law students, who receive assistance from their school's career centers in navigating articling deadlines and qualification requirements, international law students often have to navigate these waters on their own. There's a lot to figure out, and I can personally relate—I missed articling application deadlines by just a few days last summer, which was very disappointing.

But fear not! Nearly one year after graduation, I've compiled a comprehensive calendar of deadlines and essential tasks that you need to be aware of and start preparing for right after your final exam. However, let me suggest you take a week on a Spanish beach if possible before hitting the ground running when you return. Maintaining balance is crucial.

Now, let's go over some terms and acronyms you'll encounter during your journey toward Canadian Qualification:

NCA Exams: These are the National Committee on Accreditation Exams, which are your first step to qualifying in Canada. These open-book, pass-fail exams (50% is the passing mark) grant you the right to article and write the Bar exam in your province. Depending on your program and country of study, you may be assigned either the five core exams or seven exams.

Summer Associate: Similar to Vacation Schemes in the UK, these are mini-articling jobs that Canadian students can apply for in their second year. While it might be more challenging to secure these positions after graduation, it's worth a try as some firms hire articling students from their summer associate pools.

Articling Student/Position: The Canadian equivalent of a UK Training Contract, typically lasting 10 months, depending on the jurisdiction. Obtaining an articling position is a requirement to becoming a fully qualified lawyer, and you can do it either before or after writing the provincial Bar exam.

Court Clerkships: Opportunities to assist judges at various Canadian courts. In Ontario, a clerkship fulfills the articling requirement, while in other provinces, it only partially fulfills it.

ViLaw Portal: The central database for finding and applying to Summer Associate, Articling, and Clerkship Positions. Many opportunities are posted here, but not all firms and courts utilize it exclusively.

LSO / Licensing Process: Refers to the Law Society of Ontario, formerly known as the Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC). If you aim to qualify in a different province, consult the relevant provincial law society for advice.

I hope this overview helps you kickstart the next phase of your legal career. Along with the calendar of deadlines and key task list, you'll find a compilation of helpful online resources. The next few months will be busy, but remember, you've already come this far, and you are fully capable of accomplishing this next step. Stay organized and focused, and you'll do great!

- Tiffany Sillanpää