Self-assessment

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Distance (on-line) education

If you earned your law degree through distance (online) education, please see section 7. (Mode of Study) of the NCA’s Policies. This policy outlines what we require for  distance education.

If you got your law degree online through distance education, the NCA will assign you two full years of in-class study. NCA will review your education to determine if any of your studies were completed in person or through online interactive instruction. As part of your study, you must successfully complete the following NCA core subjects (in bold) and optional subjects as listed below (*indicates mandatory Canadian law courses):

• Canadian Administrative Law *
• Canadian Constitutional Law*
• Canadian Criminal Law *
• Foundations of Canadian Law *
• Canadian Professional Responsibility *
• Contracts
• Torts
• Property
• Business Organizations
• Family Law
• Remedies
• Taxation
• Evidence
• Civil Procedure
• Commercial Law
• Trust
• Real Estate

If you don't complete all eight NCA core subject assignments in class or through interactive online instruction at an approved law school, you will need to meet these requirements by writing the appropriate NCA exams.

For more details on the NCA's requirements for distance education graduates, visit the Assignments section and select “I completed a law degree through distance (on-line) education”.

Click here to learn more about the NCA Process.

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Distance (on-line) education and non-common law education

It seems you have studied in a non-common law country and that you have a distance degree. Please contact the NCA and we'll guide you through the steps you will need to complete with us.

Click here to learn more about the NCA Process.

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Mixed common law

If you earned your education and experience in a mixed jurisdiction that includes common law, we will consider the common law content of your programs and experience. We ask most graduates from a mixed jurisdiction to show they are competent in all eight core subjects.

• Canadian Administrative Law (mandatory)
• Canadian Constitutional Law (mandatory)
• Canadian Criminal Law (mandatory)
• Foundations of Canadian Law (mandatory)
• Canadian Professional Responsibility (mandatory)
• Contracts
• Torts
• Property

Click here to learn more about the process,

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Non-common law

We consider applicants from legal systems that do not have a substantial common law component, such as civil law, on a case-by-case basis. If you have no common law exposure (academic or professional), you are not likely to receive any recognition for your legal education and experience.

You can obtain common law education through an LL.M. program or by taking individual courses. Our eight core subjects are listed below. Before you enrol in a Canadian law school program of courses, make sure that the NCA approves them. To help, we invite you to read about the Canadian law school programs that offer NCA approved subjects.

• Canadian Administrative Law (mandatory)
• Canadian Constitutional Law (mandatory)
• Canadian Criminal Law (mandatory)
• Foundations of Canadian Law (mandatory)
• Canadian Professional Responsibility (mandatory)
• Contracts
• Torts
• Property

Once you have completed at least four common law subjects, we can review your file. Then we can let you know which courses you still need to show competence in for an NCA Certificate of Qualification. At that point, you can choose to take NCA exams rather than attend law school courses, if you wish.

If you get your common law training through a Canadian law school, we will not require you to take a language test (each law school has its own language test).

You may also complete a program of courses in a law school in another common law jurisdiction; for example, a Graduate Diploma in Law in England, or an LL.M. for Foreign Trained Lawyers in the United States. If you choose this option, you will need to complete the five mandatory Canadian subjects by writing NCA examinations or completing NCA approved subjects in a Canadian law school.

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Canadian Civil Law

If you hold a Canadian civil law degree – LL.B., LL.L., Diplôme d’études supérieures spécialisées en Common Law nord-américaine (DESS) program of the Université de Montréal or the Diplôme de deuxième cycle de common law et droit transnational (DDCCLDT) program of the Université de Sherbrooke – the NCA will give you full credit for the courses you completed in federal law. We will usually ask you to show competence in the following subjects:

• Contracts
• Torts
• Property
• Canadian Professional Responsibility (if not successfully completed during your Canadian civil law education)

If you completed a Canadian civil law degree and are licensed by the Barreau du Québec, the NCA will automatically issue you a Certificate of Qualification when we review your completed application.

Click here to learn more about the process

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Common law jurisdiction

Generally, the NCA assigns these five core common law subject areas to ALL applicants. Click on each subject to learn why it is mandatory:

• Canadian Administrative Law (mandatory)
• Canadian Constitutional Law (mandatory)
• Canadian Criminal Law (mandatory)
• Foundations of Canadian Law (mandatory)
• Canadian Professional Responsibility (mandatory)

NCA may also assign additional subjects as required based on your education and experience.

Click here to learn more about the process