Law Degrees - LL.B. vs. J.D.

Because of the different designations of law degrees, it is important that you understand what these designations mean.

LL.B. = Bachelor Of Laws – although the degree takes three years and is overwhelmingly taken after a bachelors degree, the LL.B. is an undergraduate degree. You will find the LL.B. degree designation in many countries that are or were part of the British Commonwealth.

J.D. = Juris Doctor – this is a graduate degree and is primarily a U.S. law degree. Both Canadian (University of Toronto and Queen’s) and Australian law schools (Bond) offer a J.D. Make sure that you understand the difference between and ABA (American Bar Assocation) and non-ABA approved degree. The former will allow you to take the Bar exam in any U.S. state.

Here are some further sources of information:

For a fantastic discussion of the role of the LL.B. in the British Commonwealth and the evolution from the LL.B. to the J.D. see the following discussion by John Kelly (Canada Law From Abroad) at:

http://canadalawfromabroad.com/guide_new1.html

For the distinction between the LL.B. and J.D. degrees see:

http://www.lawschoolbound.ca/blog/_archives/2007/11/15/3356264.html

For the distinction between an ABA approved J.D. and a non-ABA approved J.D. see:

http://www.lawschoolbound.ca/blog/_archives/2007/11/20/3366492.html

Both the LL.B. (Bachelors of Laws) and the J.D. (Juris Doctor) take three years and provide the academic qualification to take the further step of becoming a licensed lawyer.