Can an Indian become a judge in Canada?
Asked by: Prof. Devin Jones | Last update: February 12, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (29 votes)
Yes, an Indian citizen can become a judge in Canada, provided they meet the rigorous qualifications, which usually involves being a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, having extensive legal experience in Canada (often requiring accreditation of foreign law credentials via the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA)), demonstrating excellent legal skills, integrity, and being appointed through the Canadian judicial appointment process. Several individuals of Indian origin, including those born in India, have successfully become Canadian judges, highlighting the path for internationally trained legal professionals.
Who can become a judge in Canada?
Once you become a lawyer, you practice law for at least five years before you can become a judge. To work in a superior provincial court or Supreme Court, you need a minimum of 10 years of experience as a lawyer. Becoming a judge is highly competitive, so it typically takes more than 10 years before being appointed.
Can an Indian become a lawyer in Canada?
You have to get evaluated your current qualifications before commencing your law practice in Canada and submit an application for conversion through a suitable authority. In this case, it is the National Committee on Accreditation that works in collaboration with the National Lawyers Association.
Who is the Indian origin judge in Canada?
Mahmud Jamal (born July 20, 1967) is a Canadian jurist serving as a puisne justice of the Supreme Court of Canada since 2021.
Can a non-US citizen be a judge?
NOTE: A lawful permanent resident who is not yet eligible to apply for citizenship at the start of judicial employment may lawfully be employed by the judiciary, if the person submits an affidavit indicating the intent to apply for citizenship when eligible to do so.
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Can an immigration judge grant a green card?
In most cases, we will create and mail your Permanent Residence Card (also known as a Green Card) or documentation of asylum to you after the decision by an immigration judge or the BIA granting you lawful permanent resident status or asylum becomes final.
Is John Roberts a US citizen?
Divorced in 2008 from his high school sweetheart with whom he shares two children, John Roberts announced his engagement to Kyra Phillips on April 25, 2010. They have twin children named Sage Ann and Kellan Clay. As of 2018, the couple are married. Roberts is a dual Canadian and American citizen.
Who is the richest Indian in Canada?
Prem Watsa. V. Prem Watsa CM (born 5 August 1950) is an Indian-Canadian billionaire businessman who is the founder, chairman, and chief executive of Fairfax Financial Holdings, based in Toronto.
Who is the only Indian judge in ICJ?
Dalveer Bhandari (born 1 October 1947) is an Indian jurist. He is currently one of the judges of the International Court of Justice. He is a former judge of the Supreme Court of India and former chief justice of the Bombay High Court. Bhandari was also a judge of the Delhi High Court.
Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?
Yes, many lawyers earn $500,000 or more annually, especially Big Law partners, senior corporate counsel, specialized litigators, and successful solo practitioners in high-value fields like IP or medical malpractice, though this is not the norm for all attorneys, with median salaries being much lower. Reaching this income level requires specialization, strategic business growth, marketing, and often working in major markets, with top-tier law firms (Big Law) offering high starting salaries and significant bonuses that can push senior associates past the $500K mark.
Which country is best for Indian lawyers?
The top countries which offer the highest average Lawyer's salary are the USA, Germany, Canada, the UK, France, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Switzerland. The legal field presents numerous opportunities for skilled professionals to create significant impacts locally and globally.
Is a 3.7 GPA good for law school in Canada?
Yes. Some law schools have no minimum GPA requirement. For example, Queen's University – Faculty of Law requires a 3.7 GPA while others are less strict. Some consider the totality of a student's profile and does not put much weight on the GPA.
How old is the youngest judge in Canada?
She practised civil and criminal litigation until 1976, when, at the age of 29, she was appointed to the Ontario Family Court (which is now part of the Ontario Court of Justice) by then–attorney general Roy McMurtry, becoming both the youngest and first pregnant judge in Canadian history.
Do you have to be bilingual to be a judge in Canada?
Functional bilingualism
The Government has committed to only appoint judges who are functionally bilingual. The Supreme Court hears appeals in both English and French. Written materials may be submitted in either official language and counsel may present oral argument in the official language of their choice.
Can I be a judge without a law degree?
Yes, you can be a judge without a law degree, especially in lower courts (like traffic, small claims, or municipal courts) in many U.S. states where non-lawyer judges handle less complex cases after minimal training, and even federal judges aren't constitutionally required to have one, though most do; however, higher courts generally require extensive legal experience or a JD. Requirements vary significantly by jurisdiction, with some states allowing non-lawyers for specific roles like Justice of the Peace or Magistrate, while higher courts almost always demand a law degree.
Where do most Indians live in Canada?
First generation Indians and Canadians of Indian descent can be found in every city and province in the country, but some destinations prove more popular. The majority settle in Ontario and British Columbia, but that doesn't mean that there you're confined to these two provinces.
Who is the richest Indian on earth?
Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani (born 19 April 1957) is an Indian billionaire businessman, the chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries. As of December 2025, he is the richest person in Asia and the 16th richest in the world, with a net worth of US$112.8 billion. Institute of Chemical Technology (B.E.)
Which ethnicity is richest in Canada?
The visible minorities with the highest average total income that year were people of Chinese, Latin American and Arab origin. Conversely, those with the lowest incomes were other visible minorities and the Native population.
Is it hard to become a judge in Canada?
The appointment of judges in a superior court in any province is governed by the federal Judges Act. It outlines the following qualifications: the candidate should be a member of good standing of a bar of any province or territory for at least 10 years, or for an aggregate of at least 10 years.
What country pays judges the most?
Scotland, then England and Wales, come out top. In England and Wales, the top judges earn 8.1 times the average national salary; in Frances 3.4 times; in Italy 5.8 times; in Spain 4.7 times; and in Scotland 8.5 times.
How many hours a week do judges work?
Most judges and hearing officers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Some courthouses have evening and weekend hours. In addition, judges have to be on call during nights or weekends to issue emergency orders, such as search warrants and restraining orders.
Who is the most powerful judge in the United States?
The most powerful judge in the United States is generally considered to be the Chief Justice of the United States, currently John G. Roberts, Jr., because he leads the Supreme Court, heads the entire federal judiciary, and holds significant influence in shaping legal precedent and the Court's direction, even if his vote is just one of nine. His power comes from judicial leadership, managing close cases, and influencing the institutional reputation of the Supreme Court.
What is John Roberts religion?
In 2005, John Roberts became the third Catholic Chief Justice and the fourth Catholic on the court. Shortly thereafter, Samuel Alito became the fifth on the court, and the eleventh in the history of the court. Alito's appointment gave the court a Catholic majority for the first time in its history.
What is the salary of Chief John Roberts?
Chief Justice John G. Roberts' base salary for 2023 was around $286,700, with reports indicating it was approximately $298,500 as of late 2023/early 2024, a higher figure than Associate Justices, reflecting his administrative duties; this is his fixed income, though he can earn more through other means like renting property.