Where else can UK lawyers practice?

Asked by: Dr. Kurtis Torp  |  Last update: July 1, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (63 votes)

Destinations you can work in with a UK law degree
  • Canada: Canada is an attractive destination for UK law graduates due to its robust legal system and diverse opportunities. ...
  • Australia: Australia offers UK law graduates a sunny climate, outdoor social lifestyle, and a familiar legal system. ...
  • United States: ...
  • Hong Kong:

Can an UK lawyer practice in other countries?

Where is a UK law degree recognised? British lawyers can practise law in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway using their UK qualifications and professional titles in accordance with the particular rules of each country.

Is a UK law degree valid in the USA?

Yes. However, most jurisdictions require holders of foreign law degrees to have an additional legal degree, such as a J.D. or LL. M., from an ABA-accredited law school in the United States.

Can a lawyer in the UK work in the US?

Yes. UK lawyers can register as an FLC if they meet the New York eligibility requirements. UK lawyers can sit the New York State bar exam if they hold a law degree equivalent in duration to a US law degree or have at least two years of legal education and obtain a master's in law from an ABA-approved university.

Can a UK lawyer Practise in Canada?

Can you practice and return to Canada with an LLB from the UK? Yes. In order to practise law upon returning to Canada, students with LLB degrees from overseas will need to assess their qualifications with the National Committee on Accreditation (the NCA). Click this link to learn more about accreditation in Canada.

How to become a lawyer in the UK (4 different ways)

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What countries accept the UK law degree?

Destinations you can work in with a UK law degree
  • Canada: Canada is an attractive destination for UK law graduates due to its robust legal system and diverse opportunities. ...
  • Australia: Australia offers UK law graduates a sunny climate, outdoor social lifestyle, and a familiar legal system. ...
  • United States: ...
  • Hong Kong:

Where can I use a UK law degree?

If you've completed your law degree or graduate diploma in law, there are other professions that would value your qualifications.
  • Barrister.
  • Chartered legal executive.
  • Conveyancer.
  • Judicial assistant.
  • Law costs lawyer.
  • Legal cashier.
  • Legal secretary.
  • Paralegal.

Do lawyers earn more in the UK or US?

At a glance. Trainees in London earn more than those working outside the capital. You'll earn less in smaller firms but will likely rise up the ladder quicker. USA based firms pay the highest trainee and newly-qualified salaries, followed by Magic Circle then City firms.

Which states accept foreign law degrees?

Most states do require a J.D. degree for a US law school in order to sit for the bar exam. There are some states which do allow foreign law graduates to sit for the bar exam, including New York, California, New Hampshire, Alabama, and Virginia.

Can an UK lawyer work in Australia?

Foreign lawyers can come to Australia, act for their clients, and provide legal services for a maximum period of 90 days in any 12-month period without registration with an Australian legal profession regulatory body.

What is the hardest bar exam in the US?

Which bar exam is hardest? California is considered by many to be the most difficult bar exam. It has a relatively low pass rate and a relatively high minimum passing score and covers a lot of state law.

Does the US recognize UK degrees?

In any event, in most fields a 3-year UK degree will be considered fine, or better, for a US masters or PhD program. However, there are some professional tracks that just work very differently, including in law and health fields. In those it can be much more difficult to jump tracks.

Which is better for LLM USA or UK?

LLM in USA vs the UK

The United States of America is one of the best choices for LLM as it is home to prestigious institutions in the world for law. LLM in the USA is highly preferable as it helps in improving communication skills, making strategies, and making you patient enough to tackle changing legal problems.

Can I use my UK law degree in America?

UK lawyers can typically transfer their education to the US if they have completed a program of education focused on English common law for at least three years. If successful, you will then receive an Advanced Evaluation of Eligibility from the New York Board of Law Examiners and can then sit for the bar examination.

What is the US equivalent of a barrister?

Barristers are involved in and litigation , similar to “trial lawyers” or “ litigators ” in the United States, except such lawyers in America may perform tasks beyond courtroom advocacy, unlike barristers.

Can English lawyers practice in Germany?

UK residents who are either qualified or dual qualified as an EU/Swiss/EEA lawyer can register as a European lawyer in Germany. Following this, as permitted by the EU Lawyers Establishment Directive, you can requalify after three years practice.

Which state has the easiest bar exam?

Overall, Utah is the easiest bar exam to pass. This is true whether you are a first-time taker or repeat taker! In July 2023, Utah had a 94% pass rate for first time takers and a 73% pass rate for repeat takers. It also has the lowest UBE cut score of 260.

Can I work anywhere with an international law degree?

International lawyers practice all over the globe. American lawyers can be assigned to an overseas office of a particular firm or corporation, a foreign office of an international organization or a US consulate or embassy in a foreign country.

What is the easiest state to become a lawyer in?

Going by the 2021 bar exam passing rates, Wyoming has the easiest bar exam to pass. However, we don't really get the full picture by just looking at the passing rates. Each state's bar exam can differ in difficulty and content.

What country pays lawyer the most?

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.

What is the highest-paid type of lawyer in the UK?

The most profitable legal area is commercial and corporate law, where solicitors can easily earn over £100,000 a year. Commercial lawyers provide business-related advice to companies, making sure that they comply with regulation and a particular country's legal system.

Can a US lawyer work in UK?

From September 2021, lawyers from abroad and overseas students who wish to qualify in England and Wales can sit the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). The SQE allows you to qualify as a solicitor by taking the same exam as domestic candidates.

Can I get a job in the US with an UK degree?

Employers normally recognise UK qualifications. This is highlighted by the fact some US nationals travel to the UK to study before returning home to work. However, it's worth checking that a UK degree will be accepted before you apply for a job. You can learn more at ENIC-NARIC.

Is studying law in the UK worth it?

Law qualifications from UK universities are commonly recognised as some of the best in the world. High standard of teaching, research led programmes and emphasis on practical law skills are among some of the reasons why a UK law degree is so valued.

What is the highest paying job with a law degree?

Highest-Paid Types of Lawyers
  • Patent attorney: $180,000.
  • Intellectual property (IP) attorney: $162,000.
  • Trial lawyer: $134,000.
  • Tax attorney: $122,000.
  • Corporate lawyer: $115,000.
  • Medical lawyer: $113,000.
  • Real estate lawyer: $98,000.
  • Family lawyer: $93,000.