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I am a student

I am a student in Quebec

To become a lawyer, you have to take several steps, including practical professional training at the École du Barreau (Quebec Bar School), followed by an articling period, during which you can perform any act reserved for lawyers, under the supervision of an articling supervisor.

If you are considering practicing law, these are the steps you have to follow:

  1. Obtain an LL.B. or an LL.L.

    University education (normally three years)

    An undergraduate degree in law, either an LL.B. or an LL.L., will allow you to acquire the legal knowledge that forms the basis for professional training.

    The departments of legal studies or law faculties of six universities offer an LL.B. or LL.L. that gives access to the permit issued by the Barreau du Québec:

     

    The entrance requirements (CEGEP diploma, experience, etc.), selection criteria and capacity of the programs leading to these degrees differ from one university to the next. We recommend that you visit their respective websites for more information.

    Note that the training received at university reflects Quebec bijuralism, comprising civil law and common law.

    NOTE
    Persuant to the Regulation respecting the committee on training of advocates, the Committee on training of advocates sent a favourable opinion regarding the LL.B. program of the Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO) to the Minister of Higher Education in May 2022.

    In addition, in November 2022, the Barreau du Québec sent to the Office des professions a request for a regulatory amendment to amend the Regulation respecting the diplomas issued by designated educational institutions which give access to permits or specialist’s certificates of professional orders to include the LL.B. program offered by the UQO as a diploma that gives access to the permit issued by the Barreau du Québec.

  2. Have your record reviewed for admission to professional training

    When you register for professional training, your record is systematically reviewed by the Examining Committee of the Barreau du Québec, also referred to as the Committee for Access to the Profession, in accordance with section 45 of the Act respecting the Barreau du Québec.

  3. Take the training offered by the École du Barreau

    Practical professional training

    Once you have obtained your LL.B. or LL.L., you must complete the professional training program (in French only) of the École du Barreau (in French only) in one of the four professional training centres in Montréal, Quebec City, Sherbrooke or Gatineau.

    You will be assigned to a training centre based on the university that awarded your undergraduate law degree. For more information, please go to Admission (in French only).

    The École du Barreau’s mission is to provide professional training to ensure that future lawyers have the necessary skills and to preserve the values of the profession, in particular with respect to ethics and the protection of the public.

    At the École du Barreau, you will develop professional skills. You will be introduced to the rules of professional conduct, learn how to draft pleadings, negotiate, successfully present oral arguments, manage an office, etc.

    Since 2023-2024 school year, a new professional training program has been in place. The new program is based on experiential learning to allow students to apply their skills and knowledge as they acquire them. For more information about the new program, which allow students to participate in a legal clinic, please visit the webpage of the École du Barreau program (in French only).

    Note

    The Barreau du Québec is committed to fostering a legal profession that embraces diversity and mirrors our society. In line with this objective, the Barreau has implemented initiatives to enhance accessibility for all, such as a scholarship and a mentoring program specifically designed for Indigenous students pursuing their legal education at the École du Barreau.

  4. Complete a six-month articling period

    To complete your professional training, as a student at the École du Barreau you will have to complete a six-month articling period, during which you will be able to perform most of the professional acts reserved for lawyers, including signing legal documents, identifying yourself as an “articling student”, and appearing before the courts, under the supervision and responsibility of your articling supervisor.

  5. Have your record reviewed for access to the profession

    When you apply to become a member of the Barreau du Québec and practice law, your record is systematically reviewed by the Examining Committee of the Barreau du Québec, also referred to as the Committee for Access to the Profession, in accordance with section 45 of the Act respecting the Barreau du Québec.

  6. Take the oath and be entered on the Roll of the Order

    Once you have successfully completed your articling period, you are ready to be sworn in.

    Since April 2022, taking the oath and being entered on the Roll of the Order are two combined steps. To attend the swearing-in ceremony, you must have submitted the information regarding payment of your membership dues and the professional liability insurance premium, if applicable.

    If you are about to complete your articling period and would like to take the oath and be entered on the Roll of the Order of the Barreau du Québec once you complete your articling period, these are the steps you must take:

     

    You must complete these steps at the earliest in week 15 of your articling period and at the latest 15 days before the date you are scheduled to take the oath. If your record is incomplete or is sent less than 15 days before the date you are scheduled to take the oath, you may not be sworn in and entered on the Roll of the Order on the chosen date.

    Please read the information document (in French only) for more information on the swearing-in ceremony, paying the membership dues and being entered on the Roll of the Order.