I am a student in Quebec

University education (normally three years)

An undergraduate degree in law, either an LL.B. or an LL.L., will allow you to acquire the legal knowledge that forms the basis for professional training.

The departments of legal studies or law faculties of six universities offer an LL.B. or LL.L. that gives access to the permit issued by the Barreau du Québec:

• Université de Montréal
• McGill University
• Université Laval (in French only)
• University of Ottawa (in French only)
• Université de Sherbrooke (in French only)
• Université du Québec à Montréal (in French only)

The entrance requirements (CEGEP diploma, experience, etc.), selection criteria and capacity of the programs leading to these degrees differ from one university to the next. We recommend that you visit their respective websites for more information.

Note that the training received at university reflects Quebec bijuralism, comprising civil law and common law.

NOTE
Persuant to the Regulation respecting the committee on training of advocates, the Committee on training of advocates sent a favourable opinion regarding the LL.B. program of the Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO) to the Minister of Higher Education in May 2022.

In addition, in November 2022, the Barreau du Québec sent to the Office des professions a request for a regulatory amendment to amend the Regulation respecting the diplomas issued by designated educational institutions which give access to permits or specialist’s certificates of professional orders to include the LL.B. program offered by the UQO as a diploma that gives access to the permit issued by the Barreau du Québec.

When you register for professional training, your record is systematically reviewed by the Examining Committee of the Barreau du Québec, also referred to as the Committee for Access to the Profession, in accordance with section 45 of the Act respecting the Barreau du Québec.

Practical professional training

Once you have obtained your LL.B. or LL.L., you must complete the professional training program (in French only) of the École du Barreau (in French only) in one of the four professional training centres in Montréal, Quebec City, Sherbrooke or Gatineau.

You will be assigned to a training centre based on the university that awarded your undergraduate law degree. For more information, please go to Admission (in French only).

The École du Barreau’s mission is to provide professional training to ensure that future lawyers have the necessary skills and to preserve the values of the profession, in particular with respect to ethics and the protection of the public.

At the École du Barreau, you will develop professional skills. You will be introduced to the rules of professional conduct, learn how to draft pleadings, negotiate, successfully present oral arguments, manage an office, etc.

Since 2023-2024 school year, a new professional training program has been in place. The new program is based on experiential learning to allow students to apply their skills and knowledge as they acquire them. For more information about the new program, which allow students to participate in a legal clinic, please visit the webpage of the École du Barreau program (in French only).

To complete your professional training, as a student at the École du Barreau you will have to complete a six-month articling period, during which you will be able to perform most of the professional acts reserved for lawyers, including signing legal documents, identifying yourself as an “articling student”, and appearing before the courts, under the supervision and responsibility of your articling supervisor.

When you apply to become a member of the Barreau du Québec and practice law, your record is systematically reviewed by the Examining Committee of the Barreau du Québec, also referred to as the Committee for Access to the Profession, in accordance with section 45 of the Act respecting the Barreau du Québec.

Once you have successfully completed your articling period, you are ready to be sworn in.

Since April 2022, taking the oath and being entered on the Roll of the Order are two combined steps. To attend the swearing-in ceremony, you must have submitted the information regarding payment of your membership dues and the professional liability insurance premium, if applicable.

If you are about to complete your articling period and would like to take the oath and be entered on the Roll of the Order of the Barreau du Québec once you complete your articling period, these are the steps you must take:

• fill in the application to be entered on the Roll of the Order (in French only);
• fill in the  appointment form for the swearing-in ceremony (in French only);
• fill in the form to pay the annual membership dues and the professional liability insurance premium (first time being entered on the Roll of the Order)(in French only);
• obtain Canadian police clearance, issued within three months of the date of your application to be entered on the Roll of the Order; and
• attach a passport-style photo
• send these documents to the Service des greffes du Barreau du Québec, either by email to greffe.assermentation@barreau.qc.ca or by mail to 445 Saint-Laurent Blvd, Montréal, Quebec  H2Y 3T8.

Please read the information document (in French only) for more information on the swearing-in ceremony, paying the membership dues and being entered on the Roll of the Order.