Postgraduate study options in law

In essence, conversion courses are fast-tracked law degrees for undergraduate degree holders who wish to enter the legal profession. It is not as uncommon as you think for graduates in non-legal disciplines to make the career switch to law: every year, 30% of new trainee solicitors and pupils in the UK come from non-law backgrounds. That figure is lower in Malaysia, but this is an option for mature students wishing to jump careers.

 

UK law schools offer a one-year, full-time conversion course called the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) or the Common Professional Exam (CPE). Both terms are used interchangeably. The GDL can also be taken over two years either part time or by distance learning.

 

To be eligible for the GDL, students must hold a degree (other than an honorary degree) from a UK institution or a foreign institution which the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) www.sra.org.uk considers to be an equivalent. Overseas graduates will need to write to the SRA with copies of their qualifications, to obtain a certificate of academic standing, before enrolling for the GDL.

 

Only holders of an overseas degree need to take professional exams to become a qualified lawyer in Malaysia. Local law graduates are exempt from taking the Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP). Additionally, a person who has been called to the English Bar is exempt from taking the CLP. Please do check with the Malaysian Bar www.malaysianbar.org.my or call the Legal Profession Qualifying Board (+603 2691 0054) for inquiries on whether you are exempt from taking the CLP or not.

 

The CLP exam falls on June/July every year, with referrals and resits in November. Students have to complete five papers: Civil, Criminal, General Paper (Tort and Contract), Professional Practice (Land law, Probate, Bankruptcy, Ethics and Advocacy) and Evidence. If you fail any one paper, you may resit that single paper. However, if you fail more than one paper, you will have to re-take all five papers of the CLP the following year.

 

Generally, a bachelor of Laws with honours degree with minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 or its equivalent is needed to enrol in a Master’s programme in Malaysia. The student will typically have the option of doing a dissertation, examinations, coursework and dissertation, or coursework and examinations. Your application must be accompanied by a written research proposal where applicable.

 

There is great flexibility with regards to the subjects you may wish to pursue in your Master’s. For example, among some of the courses Universiti Malaya offer are:

For a PhD, a recognized Master’s degree in Law with a CGPA of at least 3.00 or equivalent is required. Your application must be accompanied by a written research proposal. A full-time course takes three years while a part-time course takes four.

 

In the legal realm, advice beyond the general is hard to come by. The courses vary significantly, and much depends on your level of interest, expertise and experience in the given subject. Always have in mind a clear idea of what you wish to gain from your postgraduate studies – whether it is to add value to yourself in your capacity as in-house legal counsel or as a junior lawyer in a law firm, or to enter a lecturing or teaching position, or to equip yourself with special knowledge to start your own firm. Do not turn a blind eye to any opportunities that may come your way, especially with regard to the rising popularity of Islamic banking and finance, and the infant yet budding role that arbitration and alternative dispute resolution will play in Malaysia.