目前CUHK JD在读,拟于2020读llm并在2021考CA bar。已知悉CA bar需要first law degree+ABA-approved法学院的LLM。目前对香港JD在无PCLL的前提下加读一个ABA的LLM能不能考CA bar存在疑问。
根据CA bar asso官网给出的
A general applicant who has a first degree in law from a law school located in a foreign state or country must:
1. Obtain from a credential evaluation service approved by the Committee of Bar Examiners a certificate that the applicant’s first degree in law is substantially equivalent to a Juris Doctor degree awarded by a law school approved by the American Bar Association or accredited by the Committee or
2. Obtain from a credential evaluation service approved by the committee a certificate that the applicant’s first degree in law meets the educational requirements for admission to practice law in the foreign state or country in which it was obtained.
在审核香港JD时我初步推测可能会存在几个问题。首先按第一条来说,多substantial算substantially equivalent?香港JD2年,美国3年,这就完全可以作为第一条不适用的理由。按第二条来讲,如果硬抠字眼,不带PCLL的JD并不能满足“educational req for admission to practice". 但JD这个degree是符合 (one of the) requirement for admission to practice的。其次这个CUHK的JD的课程其实要上principle of xxx(必修)+issues in xxx (选修)才等同于同内容LLB的课 (eg. Torts I + II),如果这个credential evaluation service神通广大,搞明白了个中奥秘,以课程不符合要求为由拒绝,也就凉凉。