As part of the NCA Assessment Policy, all applicants are required to possess a Qualifying Law Degree ("QLD"), which refers to a degree completed at an institution or law program recognized, accredited, or accepted by the local legal regulator or its delegate. These degrees are typically designated as LLB, JD, BCL, or LLL. Additionally, applicants must fulfill certain other educational requirements. The NCA evaluates legal credentials based on public lists of approved programs or schools for most jurisdictions.
Up until now, the NCA has used the lists of qualifying degree providers from the Solicitors' Regulation Authority (SRA) when assessing graduates from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. However, starting in November 2021, the SRA will no longer mandate that applicants for solicitor licensing possess a law degree, resulting in the discontinuation of the list of approved law schools and courses.
Despite the changes to legal regulation in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the NCA's requirements remain unchanged. Graduates from England and Wales must still complete a law degree (usually an LLB) that meets the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) subject benchmark statement for law and includes the seven "Foundations of Legal Knowledge" subjects developed by the SRA and the Bar Standards Board (BSB).
Regarding graduates from Northern Ireland, the NCA will now rely on the lists of approved law schools and courses provided by the following regulators: the Law Society of Northern Ireland (LSNI) and the Honourable Society of the Inn of Court of Northern Ireland (Inns).
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