ATAR Notes: Forum

Uni Stuff => Faculties => Law => Topic started by: MonsieurHulot on August 27, 2012, 06:18:47 pm

Title: International Competitivity: LLB vs. JD
Post by: MonsieurHulot on August 27, 2012, 06:18:47 pm
Hello all,
I am considering a career in Law, however most likely not in Australia. I am interested in working in international organisations such as the United Nations, where I would be competing against a range of people, some from the US, who would have a Juris Doctor.
As the JD is a higher qualification it would bring the benefits associated with that eg. higher position, more responsibility etc.
The UN has something called the Young Professionals Program, requiring a "first class degree", which as far as I can tell, is equivalent to a Bachelor's degree. This is the kind of thing I wish to do in the future.
So, my question is this: would a Bachelor of Law put me at a significant disadvantage to those with a JD?
Thank you.
Title: Re: International Competitivity: LLB vs. JD
Post by: Surgeon on August 27, 2012, 06:24:40 pm
I'm not sure whether the LLB is recognised internationally. JD definitely is, though.
Title: Re: International Competitivity: LLB vs. JD
Post by: EvangelionZeta on August 27, 2012, 07:21:58 pm
I'm not sure whether the LLB is recognised internationally. JD definitely is, though.

Depends which JD though and what you mean by "internationally".  The only Australian law degree recognised in the US, for instance, is the Melbourne JD, and even then you have to sit an additional exam before you can use it.
Title: Re: International Competitivity: LLB vs. JD
Post by: Hancock on August 27, 2012, 07:39:09 pm
What's wrong with other uni's JD's? Unless this is all about prestige, but then again, wouldn't a uni like ANU also be held in high regard internationally?
Title: Re: International Competitivity: LLB vs. JD
Post by: MonsieurHulot on August 28, 2012, 01:18:09 pm
Can anyone confirm that Melbourne's JD is the only Australian one recognised in the US?
To clarify, by 'internationally' I mean competing with law graduates from around the world. I have no intentions of becoming a lawyer in the US, and the UN says that a 'first-class degree' is sufficient, but would a JD be the better option in my situation?
Title: Re: International Competitivity: LLB vs. JD
Post by: ninwa on August 28, 2012, 02:30:09 pm
I think by first class degree they're more talking about honours rather than the -type- of degree.

Are you talking about this? https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=NCE
Title: Re: International Competitivity: LLB vs. JD
Post by: ninwa on August 28, 2012, 02:35:13 pm
Quote from: https://inspira.un.org/psc/UNCAREERS/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/UN_CUSTOMIZATIONS.UN_JOB_DETAIL.GBL?Page=UN_JOB_DETAIL&Action=A&JobOpeningId=24898
Education
   
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law together with  professional admission to a national bar (or equivalency) is required.   A first level university degree in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Had a look around and found that^

Pretty sure a "first level degree" just means bachelor's, since they've contrasted it with a masters or above
Title: Re: International Competitivity: LLB vs. JD
Post by: MonsieurHulot on August 28, 2012, 02:38:35 pm
I think by first class degree they're more talking about honours rather than the -type- of degree.

Are you talking about this? https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=NCE
Yep, that's it. I probably should've given that link originally, haha.
Thank you for that second link, I hadn't seen that before. So according to that, a JD would be more than enough?
Title: Re: International Competitivity: LLB vs. JD
Post by: ninwa on August 28, 2012, 02:59:10 pm
Well yeah I mean they're asking for "first-class" degrees which means undergraduate. A JD is a graduate degree so...