Law students: drop LLB for U.S.-style JD

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By Paul Mayne
Thursday, December 6, 2007
With an eye to international employment, Western Law students have voted overwhelmingly in favour of changing their degree from LL.B. to J.D. (Juris Doctor), matching similarly named degrees at U.S. universities.
The J.D. designation is typically regarded as a professional degree, requiring an undergraduate degree as well as a law degree. Outside of Canada, in countries such as the UK and Australia, it is possible to enter an LL.B. program directly from high school.
 
Students feel J.D. would facilitate international employment.
 
Following a two-day vote last week, 78.5 per cent of students voted in favour of the change, which will be presented to faculty council for debate in the new year.
 
If the proposal passes faculty council, it will need approval from Senate. The earliest students could begin earning a J.D. would be 2009.
 
Since the opinions of alumni are an important component of the decision, Dean Ian Holloway will seek their input during a consultation process.
 
The University of Toronto adopted the J.D. in 2001, while Queen's University and the University of British Columbia recently passed motions to adopt the change. Osgoode (York) and the universities of Windsor and Ottawa are also looking into making changes.
 

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