British Expats - Dipping Big Toe In The Water

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevorT (Post 4694070)

Thanks Gryphea

I know that my wife has some transitional work to do before practicing as a solicitor, but she may ( I believe) take on a lesser role in Canada whilst doing the transitional work - which takes around 18 months.

I am an ex UK solicitor going through the process in Calgary as we speak.

Unless she has some very specific skills (as a family lawyer I doubt she has - oil and gas commercial experience etc) she will find it virtually impossible to persuade anyone to offer her a job via the work permit route.

It will take her longer that 18 months to requalify. The Alberta Law Society does not give any time off Articles for foreign lawyers so she will have to do a full year of Articles after passing the NCA's exams.

The NCA are taking 2.5 months to process applications at the moment and it is only possible to sit their exams in August or January. The results are not posted until 2-3 months after the exams so, unless your wife times things perfectly, it will take her nearer 2 years to requalify. No one that I know that has gone through it has taken less than 2 years.

I am more than happy to help in any way I can. PM me if I can assist