The National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) is responsible for assessing the credentials of foreign-trained lawyers who wish to practice law in Canada. The NCA process can be challenging, and there are many myths about the process that can be misleading. One common myth is that the NCA process is too easy. In this blog, we will examine this myth and explain why it is not true.
Myth: The NCA Process is Too Easy
The NCA process is often perceived as easy because it does not require foreign-trained lawyers to complete a full Canadian law degree. Instead, the NCA process evaluates the education and experience of foreign-trained lawyers and determines what additional education or training they need to complete to meet Canadian legal standards. This process can take anywhere from several months to a few years to complete.
Why this is a Myth
While the NCA process may seem straightforward, it is not easy. The NCA process requires foreign-trained lawyers to pass a series of rigorous exams and complete additional coursework to meet Canadian legal standards. The exams cover a broad range of legal topics, including criminal law, contracts, property law, and more. The exams are comprehensive, and passing them requires significant study time and effort.
In addition to passing exams, foreign-trained lawyers must also complete additional legal research coursework to meet Canadian legal standards. The additional coursework can be time-consuming and costly, and it must be completed before foreign-trained lawyers can be called to the bar and begin practicing law in Canada.
The NCA process is also challenging because it requires foreign-trained lawyers to adapt to a new legal system. Canadian law is based on both common law and civil law traditions, and foreign-trained lawyers must be able to understand and apply legal concepts and principles from both systems. This can be particularly challenging for foreign-trained lawyers who come from jurisdictions with legal systems that differ significantly from Canada's.
Conclusion
The NCA process is not easy, and the myth that it is can be misleading. The process requires significant study time, effort, and financial investment. Passing the exams and completing the additional coursework requires a deep understanding of Canadian law and the ability to adapt to a new legal system.
While the NCA process may not require foreign-trained lawyers to complete a full Canadian law degree, it is still a rigorous process that requires dedication and hard work.