non-bar JD

Why earn a non-bar JD? Does a non-accredited non-bar JD help you in business or any other field?

 

I have a hard time understanding it. However, from other posts on this forum I have learned:

1) A non Bar JD does not qualify the student for a new profession. This means the expense may be tax deductible; and

2) Employers are more likely to pay for a non Bar program because their employee can't then run away and practice law.

Note that ONLY D/L schools even offer the beast, but the BEST California correspondence law schools, like Taft, Northwestern Cal, and Concord offer it. Well, one of the best, Oakbrok, does not. Anyway these schools' Bar programs routinely create California lawyers.

 

My understanding is that you can, without having passed the Bar exams, practice law but not represent a client in court (appear before the Bar). What other limitations might apply to a graduate of a non-Bar school probably depends on venue.

Course, I could be wrong.

 

In the United States, even giving legal advice to a client without being admitted to the Bar can be Unauthorized Practice of Law, a minor crime and contempt of court.

In the UK, one needn't be a barrister or solicitor except to represent a client in court, draft a will, or convey real estate on behalf of a third party, or something like that.

 

I think it's only the first one now. Nothing stopping one, as far as I'm aware from doing your Dad's conveyencing or drafting a will for your neighbour, especially as you can pick up a do-it-yourself will or conveyencing pack in any bookshop.

Angela

 

Can a non-solicitor offer legal advice to the general public for compensation in the UK?

 

Returning to the original question, though, since the JD is primarily designed to prepare the student to practice law, it would be frustrating, to say the least, to sink thousands of dollars and years of effort into the degree then not be able to perform the function for which one was trained...

 

In my jurisdiction there are totally unlicensed agents, mostly ex-police who represent people in court for things like traffic offences. I think the battles were fought in court and the agents won. I am not sure why but the choice between no representation because of lawyer's fees or some representation in minor cases is obvious.

 

Um. Good point, given that the Citizen's Advice Bureau is free.

However, the CAB themselves came up with the answer the their FAQs about the law.

"Solicitors are not the only people who can provide legal advice. Legal help may be available from other professionals, for example, an accountant who can give advice on tax and company law. Legal help can be obtained from advice centres, such as Citizens Advice Bureaux, housing advice centres, money advice centres, law centres and from other organisations such as trade unions and motoring organisations. You can also represent yourself in court proceedings and you may have a friend or a representative who is not a solicitor to assist you in court. If you think that you need a solicitor, you should choose one who has experience in the appropriate area of law. For example, if you are seeking custody of children you should go to a family law specialist."

Angela

 

Another argument against the non Bar JD is this: Since these degrees are either unaccredited or at best DETC, they have limited utility in academia as well as professionally. However, a law license is a law license and is a credential in its own right. It's speculation on my part, but I think that Bar membership would go a long way toward "shoring up" a doubtful JD in the eyes of the academy and the public.

 

nosborne,

Pilfering the Bears' Guide:

This may be a matter of semantics or of legal jurisdictions but it seems that there are careers in the law not requiring the passing of Bar exams.

And this is not to argue but an honest seeking of insight into what careers might be available in the legal field.

 

Perfectly true.

The State Bar of New Mexico even has a division for legal assistants.

However, why go to all the trouble of getting a non-Bar JD when, with just a bit more time and effort, one can qualify for the Bar?

 

Non-Bar JD In Canada

You can use a non-bar JD to work in the Public Service in various Depts such as Contract compliance, Contracting out, in Property Management, in Small claims court; it is useful to add it to your qualifications as a Social Worker.

why go to such time and expenses when you can get an RA Law degree ? well, being able to keep your full-time job and still get a law education without the trouble of travelling time to campus, paying parking fees, and the trouble of a fixed schedule.

You can also use it to do good money as an Immigration Consultant in Canada.

 

The standard professional law degree in Canada is the LL.B. As I understand it, most but by no means all law school applicants have a B.A when they apply. All applicants must have at least 60 s.h. pre professional education.

I DO remember noting that at least one Canadian law school (Osgoode??) now offers the J.D., reflecting the fact, I suppose, that legal education in Canada more closely resembles the U.S. system that it does the systems in the remainder of the Commonwealth.

I know of no Canadian D/L LL.B. programs. You CAN get some advanced standing with the London degree.

 

Sorry. It's the University of Toronto that now offers the J.D.

 

You were right both times - Osgood Hall is the law school at the U of T. They understand themselves to be pretty good.

 

No it is not!!! Osgoode Hall is the law school at York University.