Lawyers who are citizens of an EEA country can be issued a Norwegian licence to practise as a lawyer if they are entitled to practise as a lawyer in their home country. However, they must pass an exam that proves their knowledge of Norwegian law. To do so, they must apply to the Supervisory Council.
Full Answer
A Norwegian licence to practise as a lawyer is issued by the Supervisory Council for Legal Practice upon certain conditions being met, depending on whether the applicant is a citizen of an EEA member country or not .
For such a person, the practising rules of their home country also applies to their work in Norway, along with the Norwegian code of conduct for lawyers.
Lawyers who are citizens of an EEA country can be issued a Norwegian licence to practise as a lawyer if they are entitled to practise as a lawyer in their home country . However, they must pass an exam that proves their knowledge of Norwegian law. To do so, they must apply to the Supervisory Council.
Lawyers from other countries. Lawyers with a citizenship from a non-EEA country can also apply to the Supervisory Council for a Norwegian licence, but such a licence is generally quite restrictive. Following an overall assessment of the applicant’s competence and suitability, the Supervisory Council may issue such a licence.
The most relevant provision is Section 220. The basic condition for being awarded a licence is a Norwegian university degree in law. The candidate must demonstrate by a police certificate that he/she has a reputable record of conduct.
It is the Supervisory Council for Legal Practice (not the Bar Association) that evaluates applications for authorisation as a trainee lawyer. According to the Supervisory Council for Legal Practice, ‘equivalent education’ means that the foreign lawyer has completed the highest level of education needed in his/her home country to become ...
Trainee lawyers work under the licence and indemnity insurance of their employer (a lawyer). Persons with a law degree from countries outside the EEA area can apply to the Supervisory Council for Legal Practice for authorisation as a trainee lawyer, which can be granted following a concrete assessment. The practice as regards approving persons ...
Lawyers without a licence to practise as a lawyer (or equivalent registration) from their home country may, upon application from a Norwegian principal, be permitted to work as a trainee lawyer in Norway on certain conditions:
Processing of the application - information and documents required. There is no standard application form, and no application fees. The applicant (the lawyer who wishes to employ a person with a foreign law degree) must enclose any relevant documents relating to the law degree obtained in the EU, EEA state or Switzerland.
Documentation from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) stating that you have been granted permission to stay or to work in Norway. A declaration from the Norwegian police stating that you have no criminal record. This declaration can also be obtained from your home state.
The Supervisory Council for Legal Practice (Tilsynsrådet for advokatvirksomhet) is responsible for the recognition of advocates and other legal professions in Norway. It is also the official body supervising advocates practising in Norway.
Foreign lawyers established in another state may provide legal assistance in Norway on an occasion al basis. A foreign lawyer who provides legal assistance in Norway as a "guest lawyer" shall use his or her professional title in the language or one of the languages from the country where the person holds the license.
In other words you can not become a Norwegian lawyer or trainee lawyer in Norway based on a law degree achieved outside the EU/EEA member states.
This means, however, that you may only practice international law and the law of your home country. You will not be able to practice Norwegian law. You will also be required to always use your professional title from your home country and to indicate the name of your home country. You will have to present the following documentation to the Supervisory Council:
When such documentation has been required, the person in question is not entitled to provide legal assistance in Norway before satisfactory documentation has been presented, unless the relevant authority or court of law gives its consent.