NCA REVIEW THE INTERNATIONALLY TRAINED LAWYERS
NCA REVIEW ITLP NCA Review Program Helping you succeed in writing NCA Challenge Exams As an internationally trained lawyer or international law graduate who wants to practise law in Canada, your first challenge is to obtain a Certificate of Qualification from the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA). The NCA was established by Canadian law societies to assess the credentials of lawyers who completed their law studies outside Canada. To receive this certificate, most applicants will have to successfully complete at least five NCA Challenge Exams - examinations that ensure your legal knowledge is comparable to that of a graduate from a Canadian law school. But for many lawyers and law graduates, these exams are a significant hurdle. Self-study can be a timeconsuming and overwhelming process that, for many, ends in failure to complete the NCA requirements. The NCA Review Program (NCAR), developed by the Internationally Trained Lawyers Program (ITLP), fills this gap: It provides you with the academic support, training and tools to effectively write NCA Challenge Exams. This is an intensive, part-time program that addresses the needs of lawyers and law graduates who plan to write one or more NCA exams but cannot commit to full-time study. hat to expect What to expect in and outside the classroom The ability to continue working while you learn The NCA Review Program schedule allows you to continue working while you study. All NCAR subjects are taught during weekends and evenings for your convenience. 1 NCA Review Program
options The option to attend in person or participate online Flexibility is one of the features of this ITLP program: for example, you can choose to participate and learn in class or access the content online, via live webcast. Once you have registered for a NCAR course, you will be provided with login information which allows you to participate virtually via live webcast if you cannot attend in person. As well, you will have access to video recordings of that course up to the date of the NCA Challenge Exam for that subject. Your login also gives you access to downloadable course materials, including PowerPoint presentations and supplementary exam preparation materials, where available. In some cases, archived online copies from previous NCA Review Program sessions are available for purchase. If you choose to prepare for your NCA exams by purchasing archived NCAR courses, you will be able to access these online archives up to the date of the NCA exam for that subject. intensive An intensive learning experience The NCA Review Program offers sessions in the most-required NCA subjects: Foundations of Canadian Law, Canadian Administrative Law, Canadian Constitutional Law, Canadian Criminal Law, and Canadian Professional Responsibility. Instruction is also offered, on a rotating basis, in other NCA subjects such as Evidence, Property, Torts and Corporate Law. You can enrol in as many courses as you need, based on your specific NCA-determined requirements. In the 21 hours it takes to complete each course, instructors will guide you through an intensive but high-level examination review process. Because of the concentrated time period, you will need to familiarize yourself with the NCA Syllabus and materials for that specific NCA subject before each course starts. These NCAR sessions are offered three times a year, in the spring, summer and fall in the lead-up to NCA Challenge Exams usually scheduled for January, May, August and October. experts Professional instruction by legal experts You will receive guided, professional instruction based on the NCA Syllabus and will be taught by leading members of the profession including judges, academics and local practitioners with recognized expertise in the various NCA subjects. Your instructors will also help prepare you to write and pass your NCA exams. And your instructor will walk you through sample questions using practice exams on the NCA website. The ITLP NCAR program boosted my confidence in my ability to prepare for and write the NCA accreditation exams. Self-study is good but might be inadequate in overcoming the challenges of such an important examination. No matter how hard you have prepared, there is always the feeling that one is not ready. However, the ITLP gave me such self-confidence that I went into the exam hall confident that I had prepared well to be successful. The instructors did a great job of keeping me on track. I strongly recommend the ITLP to all students. Folasade Dejifasanya Called to the Bar in Ontario and Nigeria ITLP 2010 How to apply Complete the online form available at itlp.utoronto.ca/ application Your application must be completed at least seven (7) days before the first class. There is no registration deadline for NCAR archives. NCA Review Program 2
NCA REVIEW Is this the right program for you? The NCA Review Program has a very specific focus: To provide academic support to internationally trained lawyers and international law graduates who want to obtain their NCA Certificate of Qualification and need help in preparing and writing their NCA Challenge Exams. As a part-time program taught on weekends and evenings, it is particularly suitable for students who cannot commit to the full-time, year-long ITLP Comprehensive Program but want instruction on the material covered in the NCA Syllabus for a specific subject. ligibility Eligibility criteria You can apply for entry to the ITLP NCA Review Program if you: have a valid NCA Assessment Result Report are familiar with the NCA Syllabus and materials, and are engaged in individual exam preparation and study. All applicants should have a good command of the English language. Important website links For more information on the NCA Review Program, go to: itlp.utoronto.ca/programs/ nca-review-program Information on other ITLP programs, as well as links to information on admissions, financial aid and tuition can be found at itlp.utoronto.ca 3 NCA Review Program
The NCA and your legal future What is the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA)? The NCA is a committee created by all of the law societies within the Federation of Law Societies of Canada to help them assess the legal education and professional experience of internationally trained lawyers and law students who would like to practise law in Canada. This assessment is designed to determine if your understanding and knowledge of Canadian law is equivalent to that of a graduate of a Canadian common law degree program. Why do I need to deal with the NCA? You cannot apply to a Canadian law society for a licence to practise law without having your credentials assessed by the NCA and obtaining the NCA Certificate of Qualification. In other words, the NCA is the key to your legal future. After reviewing your education and legal experience, the NCA will send you a letter outlining what steps, if any, you need to take to ensure that your legal education and training are comparable to that provided by an approved Canadian common law faculty. If you studied or practised in a common law jurisdiction, the NCA may indicate that you need to demonstrate competence in specific subject areas. One way to do that is to successfully write NCA Challenge Exams in those specific subjects. NCA Challenge Exams generally are held four times a year - January, May, August and October - at locations determined by the National Committee on Accreditation. Exam evaluation is also the sole responsibility of the NCA. In other situations, the NCA will require that you take courses at a Canadian law school, or that you complete a Canadian common law degree program. Once you have successfully completed the assigned requirements, the NCA will provide you with a Certificate of Qualification. All Canadian law societies require that you provide them with this certificate before you can apply to be admitted to the licensing process in a specific jurisdiction. How do I get the NCA to review my legal credentials? You must apply to the NCA using its application form. You will also have to provide additional documentation as required by the NCA. This may include university transcripts, a resume, proof from the legal regulatory authority in your home jurisdiction that you are/ were a member in good standing, as well as the required fees. You can complete this process at any time and from anywhere in the world. Citizenship, nationality and residency are not factors in the NCA assessment process. Expect it to take about six weeks for the NCA to assess your application and credentials, and advise you what additional requirements you must complete before you qualify for the NCA Certificate of Qualification. To download the form and for more information on the NCA assessment process, go to: flsc.ca/nationalcommittee-on-accreditation-nca. Does the NCA offer courses to help me prepare for these Challenge Exams? No, the NCA does not offer any tutoring, consultation or other hands-on learning supports. It does provide a syllabus and sample exam for each subject area; as well, once you have registered and paid for a specific exam, the NCA provides you with free access to Quicklaw (Lexis Nexis), an online legal research tool. How can the NCA Review Program help? The NCA Review Program was created by the ITLP specifically to help students prepare to write the NCA Challenge Exams. This part-time program provides intensive, high-level examination review instruction in the specific subjects in which you have to write NCA Challenge Exams. You will learn what these exams look like and how to write them successfully. Your instructors will be leading legal practitioners and members of the judiciary in Canada who are committed to helping you realize your legal career aspirations. Moreover, because the NCAR courses are offered in the evenings and weekends, this program enables you to work while you study. NCA Review Program 4
NCA REVIEW The Internationally Trained Lawyers Program: An Overview A unique program tailored to your unique needs If you are a foreign-trained lawyer or an international law graduate who wants to practise law in Canada - but are unsure of where to start - the Internationally Trained Lawyers Program (ITLP) at the University of Toronto is tailor-made for you. The ITLP is designed to bridge your past to your future - and to help you prepare for the two major steps you need to take to get there: becoming accredited; and becoming licensed, a multi-step process that can take from two to four years to complete. And because no two lawyers or law graduates have the same needs, goals and backgrounds, the ITLP offers you a choice of four different full- or part-time programs, each designed to help you transition successfully into a legal career in Canada. ecoming a lawyer Steps to becoming a licensed lawyer 1 Accreditation - Obtain a Certificate of Qualification (1-2 years) You must apply to the National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) to have your credentials and experience (academic and professional) assessed. The NCA will determine what you must do to obtain a Certificate of Qualification, including the areas in which you need to demonstrate competence (through challenge exams or law school courses). Once you have completed those steps, you can apply for your NCA Certificate of Qualification which in turn will allow you to move to the next step: applying to the Bar admission/licensing process in the Canadian province or territory of your choice. ITLP programs to consider The Comprehensive Program is a one-year full-time immersion in Canadian law, legal technology, career skills, workplace culture and communication. It also provides an opportunity to apply for on-the-job experience through a three-month unpaid internship in a law-related workplace. The academic component is built around the five NCA core subjects, as well as other areas of law, ensuring you are well prepared to write the required NCA exams. This program is suitable for internationally trained lawyers and international law graduates and includes elements of many of the part-time programs also offered by the ITLP. OR The NCA Review Program (NCAR) focuses on helping students prepare for and write the NCA Challenge Exams in specific areas of law. Students can choose which NCA subjects they wish to take. The NCAR is a part-time program that complements the timing of the NCA exam schedule, and is also available on-line for distance learners. 5 NCA Review Program
The ITLP helped me, a Mexican-trained lawyer, develop a new set of skills; the BEPC and NCAR programs also provided me with a unique insight into how to complete my accreditation/ licensing process as a Canadian lawyer. In my view, anyone with legal credentials from abroad who wants to practise law in Ontario would benefit from this program. Luis Guillermo Cruz Rico Called to the Bar in Ontario and Mexico ITLP 2011, 2013 Principal, MC Law Office, Toronto & Mexico 2 Obtain a license to practise law from the Law Society (1-2 years) To become an Ontario-licensed lawyer, you must complete a set of licensing exams (Bar exams) and a Professional Responsibility online course set by the Law Society of Upper Canada (the governing body for lawyers in Ontario). As well you must article, that is, work as an intern for 10 months for a Law Society-approved employer or complete the Law Society s Law Practice Program (LPP). Some students qualify for an articling abridgement or exemption. Only then can you apply to the Law Society to be called to the Bar and become a licensed Ontario lawyer. ITLP programs to consider The Bar Exam Prep Course (BEPC) is an intensive, two-week course that prepares you to write the Barrister and Solicitor Law Society-required exams that students must pass to become licensed as a lawyer in Ontario. You can attend classes in-person and it is also available on-line as a live webcast or as a taped recording. Launch your legal career If you need help developing career and job search skills - but do not want the academic and other supports available in other ITLP programs - we have a program for you. The Career Program is a part-time program that offers one-on-one career counselling, learning about career-relevant subjects such as the legal environment and workplace culture, resume writing and preparing for an interview, as well as practical work opportunities. The ITLP will give you the foundation on which to build your future Canadian legal career with confidence. NCA Review Program 6
THE UNIQUE BENEFITS OF THE ITLP A track record of success More than 77% of graduates who responded to our survey, reported that they successfully completed their NCA requirements. And almost 80% of graduates who responded to our survey, reported that they were employed as a lawyer or in a law-related profession. Overwhelmingly, they credit the ITLP program with providing the focus and guidance to fulfill their dreams of a legal career in Canada. A world-class program in a world-class university The ITLP is a program of the University of Toronto s Faculty of Law - one of the world s leading law schools and a magnet for this country s leading legal minds, students and faculty alike. The university itself is a world-renowned institution, consistently ranked as the best Canadian university and among the top 20 in the world. It offers students a wide range of resources including firstclass libraries. Located in the heart of the great city of Toronto, the ITLP puts you in the centre of the action - close to the city s commercial core, its federal and provincial courts and its many cultural and entertainment venues that reflect the diversity of the city. Moreover, as one of Canada s oldest universities, the U of T s green campus offers an oasis of calm in one of the world s major international cities. A faculty of leading law practitioners You will be taught by members of the university s law faculty as well as senior members of the Bar and bench in Ontario, ensuring not only first-class instruction but also a lively intellectual community in which to debate and discuss. A network of exceptional colleagues from around the world As an ITLP student, you will be part of a unique network of some of the world s brightest and best. Your colleagues will come from more than 40 countries and speak on average three languages. More than 75 per cent are already licensed to practise law in another country, and many have worked in a law-related occupation. Like you, they are highly motivated, talented, and passionate about joining the Canadian legal community. A dedicated professional team Whether it s the ITLP team who administer the program, or the Career Advisor who guides your job search, or any of the other professionals you will encounter in the ITLP program, you ll quickly realize this is a very special group of people committed to helping facilitate your transition into the legal workplace in Canada. A flexible approach to learning Our programs are available in a variety of formats for in-class and distance learners. For more information ITLP programs in detail Detailed information on each ITLP program is available at: itlp.utoronto.ca/programs Admissions criteria, applications For information on admissions criteria and eligibility for each of the four ITLP programs, and for application information, go to: itlp.utoronto.ca/admissionseligibility Financial aid, tuition For information on bursaries and loans, and tuition costs, go to: itlp.utoronto.ca/tuitionfinancial-aid Becoming a lawyer in Canada Links to information on the licensing process, and how to become a lawyer are at: itlp.utoronto.ca/practise-lawin-canada ENROLL IN OUR COMPREHENSIVE OR SELECT ONLY WHAT YOU NEED: THE CAREER, THE NCA REVIEW OR THE BAR EXAM PREP COURSE. COMPREHENSIVE THE INTERNATIONALLY TRAINED LAWYERS CAREER THE INTERNATIONALLY TRAINED LAWYERS NCA REVIEW THE INTERNATIONALLY TRAINED LAWYERS BAR EXAM PREP COURSE THE INTERNATIONALLY TRAINED LAWYERS COMPREHENSIVE CAREER NCA REVIEW BAR EXAM PREP COURSE