how to become a lawyer in switzerland

by Greta Schuster 10 min read

In order to become a lawyer in Switzerland, students must complete a three-year Bachelor of Law (LLB). However, in order to be admitted to the bar and enter practice, a subsequent two-year Master of Laws is also required.

To be admitted to the bar, a lawyer must complete a Bachelor of Law (BLaw, which involves 3 years of reading at a university), a Master of Law (MLaw, which lasts three terms), a one-year to two years apprenticeship (depending on the Canton), and pass the bar exam.Mar 29, 2017

Full Answer

How hard is it to become a lawyer in Switzerland?

Geneva is slightly special with regard to becoming a lawyer because they've introduced the "ecole d'avocature", i.e. a six month course which ends with an exam, after which you will need to do 18 months stage, and then have the final bar exam. The Swiss statute system is completely different to the english one.

What are the rules for practicing law in Switzerland?

In addition, they must follow both federal regulations and rules set by the 26 cantons, which are individual territories. This system guarantees that anyone practicing law in Switzerland has a solid background in their chosen field or fields of law. In Switzerland, there are no private law schools.

Can I study law in the UK and then practice in Switzerland?

And that is why you can't study law in the UK and then be a lawyer in Switzerland. You have many good websites linked above. But you should probably just email someone at the University of Geneva and see what they have to say about how much education you need to repeat.

How long does it take to become a lawyer in Canada?

To receive a license, legal hopefuls must complete a three-year Bachelor of Law (BLaw) course of study, a Master of Law program (MLaw) which lasts for three school terms, a one or two-year apprenticeship determined by the canton, and pass the bar exam.

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How many years does it take to become a lawyer in Switzerland?

three-yearStudy Law in Switzerland Law Degrees in Switzerland In order to become a lawyer in Switzerland, students must complete a three-year Bachelor of Law (LLB). However, in order to be admitted to the bar and enter practice, a subsequent two-year Master of Laws is also required.

Is it hard to be a lawyer in Switzerland?

It is an extremely difficult exam, 70% fail each year, most of them having gone to law school in Switzerland, worked for courts and lawyers for several years and then studied 100% for six months or more. If you would like to be a laywer in Switzerland, go to a Swiss law school.

How much do Swiss lawyers make?

Find out what the average Lawyer salary is The average lawyer salary in Switzerland is CHF 158'930 per year or CHF 81.50 per hour. Entry-level positions start at CHF 123'375 per year, while most experienced workers make up to CHF 160'602 per year.

Can you study law in English in Switzerland?

The University of Fribourg is the only bilingual university in Switzerland. All the courses are offered both in German and in French. Also, it offers courses with an international aspect delivered in the English language.

Can a foreigner be a lawyer in Switzerland?

Non-EU or -EFTA nationals must successfully acquire a master's degree in law from a Swiss University, pass the bar exam and fulfil all other prerequisites for admission to the bar.

Can foreign lawyers work in Switzerland?

Re: A Foreign Lawyer can work in Switzerland? Unless he is a citizen of an EU/EFTA country and has been admitted to the bar in an EU/EFTA country, his qualifications will not be recognized in Switzerland, and he will not be permitted to practice as a "lawyer".

What is the best country to be a lawyer?

Switzerland -260,739 USD: Switzerland is at the top of our list of countries that reward their lawyers the best. With an average annual salary of $260,739. The lowest salary for a Swiss lawyer is $120,279 and the highest salary is $414,058 per year.

Do lawyers make good money in Switzerland?

A person working as a Lawyer in Switzerland typically earns around 255,000 CHF per year. Salaries range from 125,000 CHF (lowest) to 397,000 CHF (highest).

Which type of lawyer earns the most in world?

Medical Lawyers typically make the highest yearly salary. This type of lawyer provides their clients with a variety of legal advisement and services related to medical law. This includes the areas of health care law, personal injury, medical malpractice and a variety of other related areas.

Is Switzerland Good for law?

With very high living costs, but relatively very cheap tuition fees, Switzerland is excellent for studying law or most other subjects. Many universities in this country are known worldwide, but only nine of them have a law school.

How much does it cost to study law in Switzerland?

These are some of the most affordable higher education institutions in Switzerland: University of Geneva – average tuition fees: 900 EUR/year. University of Bern – average tuition fees: 1,700 EUR/year. University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW – average tuition fees: 1,260 EUR/year.

Can an international student study law in Switzerland?

International students can seek admission to these specialized law courses offered by the best law colleges in Switzerland. Some of the universities also provide options to pursue PhD in law for the international students.

Where was the International Association of Young Lawyers held?

The yearly Congress of the International Association of Young Lawyers (A.I.J.A.) was held in London from July 24 to 27, 1967. 150 young lawyers attended from the United States, Argentina, Germany, France, Belgium, Spain, England, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Holland, and Switzerland. The Congress began with a solemn opening ceremony presided over by Attorney General Sir Blwyn Jones. The members of ... [Show full abstract]

Why is it important to know whether a rule is a legal rule?

The question whether a particular rule is also a legal rule can have a large practical importance because the answer may determine whether the rule will be enforced by state organs. Lawyers have developed a number of standards to determine whether a rule has the status of law, and these standards are known as the sources of law. In this chapter, we will take a closer look at these sources of law. ... [Show full abstract]

A law degree can smooth the path to practice and help students gain admission to the bar

Becoming a lawyer in an overseas country is not easy, but it can be well worth the reward. In mainland Europe, the legal services markets are diverse and dynamic, with a wide range of career opportunities on offer.

Practicing law in the Netherlands

The main route to practicing law in the Netherlands starts with a three-year undergraduate law degree, followed by a doctorate degree or master of law, then a legal apprenticeship for another three years.

Practicing law in Spain

To access the legal profession in Spain, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from a university in addition to a master’s degree, such as an LL.M. Then, you will need to carry out a supervised internship in a law firm, or the legal department of a company in Spain. You must also pass an aptitude test, which Spain’s Ministry of Justice runs annually.

Practicing law in Germany

In order to practice law in Germany, lawyers need to go through a two-stage qualification process.

Practicing law in France

The standard route to practicing law in France is studying at law school and taking an examination.

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