Vulcanoid

The law degree itself is three years, but it's a second entry degree, done after a first and normally 4 year bachelors (so vast majority of Canadian JD holders have 7 years or more of education)

scilly

Plus up to an extra year of articling after the law degree before admission to the Bar, which then allows one to practise law.

Vulcanoid

Although to be fair, UK law grads also do this if they want to practice (LPC for solicitors, BTPC for barristers). The having an unrelated degree before starting law studies at all, rather than going straight from high school is the really distinguishing feature.

dbd33

Well yes but the prior four year degree need have no relevance to law. Isn't it usually General Studies or Dead White Men? It's not seven years of progressive development but three years of law after some years of doing something else.

Vulcanoid

Literally any degree would qualify. Maths, physics, English lit, history, politics, psychology, etc etc etc.

In order to get into Canadian law school in the first place, people have already done well in a first degree. This is harder than getting into a subject offered at just about every UK university, where people need to have passed A levels. Basically, people get 2.2s and below in English university law degrees, and those grades wouldn't qualify them to even start studying at the Canadian equivalent.

FirstRatofftheShipUK

If you can get any work as a lawyer in The UK I would suggest not making the jump to Canada. Just my opinion as I made the move (was pushed) due to the last economic slump. If no slump, doubt I would have done so.