Licensing process in Manitoba

This profession is regulated in Manitoba by the Law Society of Manitoba.

Note: The society conducts the licensing process in English only. Thus, all requested documents must be translated into English.

To practise law in Manitoba you must:

• have a bachelor of laws or juris doctor degree from a Canadian common law university OR a certificate of qualification from the National Committee on Accreditation
• prove that you are of good moral character and a fit and proper person to be admitted to the profession of law in Manitoba
• be licensed by the Law Society of Manitoba

You must complete the following steps:

STEP 1: Contact the Law Society of Manitoba to request an articling application and Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education admission package.

Law Society of Manitoba
Karen Dyck, director of admissions and membership
219 Kennedy Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 1S8
Phone: 204-942-5571
Fax: 204-956-0624
E-mail: kdyck@lawsociety.mb.ca
Website: lawsociety.mb.ca

STEP 2: Contact the National Committee on Accreditation and tell them you are an internationally educated lawyer seeking to practise in Manitoba.

National Committee on Accreditation
Deborah Wolfe, managing director
World Exchange Plaza
1810 - 45, rue o'Connor Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 1A4
Phone: 613-236-7250
Fax: 613-236-7233
E-mail: dwolfe@flsc.ca
Website: flsc.ca

STEP 3: Complete the National Committee on Accreditation application form to obtain a certificate of equivalency.

You must submit the following:

• original transcripts of pre-law grades if any or if not available, a certificate of standing*
• original final transcripts of law grades*
• course descriptions in field of legal study including number of hours of each course, number of class hours each week and total number of weeks per year
• a certificate of call or admission if previously called to the bar along with a letter or certificate of good standing
• a transcript of marks if bar admission was based on written exams
• details of work experience
• statement regarding citizenship or immigration status
• evidence of language proficiency in English (TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language or equivalent testing score) (if required)
• Law School Admission Test score (if required)
• proof of name change document (if required)
• application fee: C$525

* If documents are not in English, notarized translation is required.

STEP 4: Complete exams as required by the National Committee on Accreditation.

STEP 5: Complete the Law Society of Manitoba application form to apply as an articling student. Secure an articling position with a member of the society who has been a barrister and a solicitor for at least three years and who is approved by the society.

You must submit the following:

• certificate of qualification
• original transcripts of all university marks
• character reference
• certified fingerprint-based national criminal record check
• tuition fees: C$1400
• education plan signed by applicant and approved principal**
• articling agreement between applicant and approved principal**

** Must be submitted within 14 days of commencing articles with an approved principal.

STEP 6: Complete the Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education licensing program.

STEP 7: When all requirements have been met, you have been called to the bar and you have paid practising and insurance fees, you will be licensed by the Law Society of Manitoba to practise law in Manitoba.

Additional information

Annual practising fee is C$1522.50.

Annual mandatory professional liability insurance premium is C$525.

The fee for each National Committee on Accreditation exam is C$525.

Tuition fee for the Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education licensing program is C$1,470.

Language: As part of your work, you are required to have intermediate or advanced English language skills in the four basic language areas - listening, speaking and reading and writing comprehension. Therefore, you should be able to:

• participate in discussions of a complex nature
• share your thoughts clearly
• understand technical documents
• write reports in English with confidence

Revised October 2011

Assistance for newcomers in Manitoba

• Communication and bridging programs for professionals
• Financial help to pursue professional licence
• A recent immigrant talks about how he found work in this profession