Law graduates from abroad. Enrollment as Advocates in India. Procedure.

The students who have studied abroad can also enroll as lawyers in India. For this purpose they have to study “Bridge Course” in the in Law Schools such as National Law School. The Bar Council of India on receipt of application from these students, will decide the duration of the Bridge Course and also the law school in which they shall undertake the course. For example if a student has studied law abroad for three years, BCI expects him to study the bridge course for two years. If the student has studied law for four years, then the bridge course can be one year. If the student studied law abroad after three years graduation, then bridge course is not mandatory.

Please Note: After completion of the bridge course, the student is expected to write separate examination being conducted by the Bar Council of India (twice a year). This is not the same as All India Bar Examination which is held for lawyers after enrollment.

On successful completion of both bridge course and on passing the examination, the student is eligible to be enrolled as an Advocate in India fully competent to practice as a Lawyer.

To take up bridge course and later the examination, Bar Council of India can be approached.

S. Basavaraj, Member, Karnataka State Bar Council. raj@dakshalegal.com