Legal Education Certificate Required

Since 1975, a Legal Education Certificate is normally required in order for the LLB holder to practise law. This certificate is granted by the Council of Legal Education which was established in April 1971. Students are certified on successful completion of a two-year course of full-time training at one of the Council’s three law schools located in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and The Bahamas.

Practical Instruction

The students will be taught by a system of practical instruction designed to give training in the basic and essential skills of the practising lawyer.

Entry into Law School

Entry into one of the three law schools will normally be granted to any applicant holding the UWI, LLB degree. Students who hold law degrees from other universities are required to sit an entrance examination which is held in July of each year. The deadline for applications to the law school is January 31 of the proposed year of study.

Three Law Schools

Norman Manley Law School

UWI, Mona Campus
Kingston 7
Jamaica

Eugene Dupuch Law School

P.O. Box SS-6394
Nassau
Bahamas

Hugh Wooding Law School

P.O. Box 323
Tunapuna Post Office
Trinidad

Requirements in Addition to the Legal Education Certificate

Holders of a Legal Education Certificate will be regarded by all governments in the West Indies as having satisfied institutional and educational requirements for practise, but local
legislation may add further requirements such as nationality, which must be satisfied before the right to practise is granted in a particular territory.