UWI LLB

[Satya]

Well lawd have mercy...i have heard it all...i call UWI to find out about their LLB program, and dem people say I have to move to Barbados :shock: ....but how dat ting could make sense, and to top it off she tell me that you can't work and go through the program....i kinda lost, dem is some real whacked out kinda rules....it have all these school offering University of London LLB all over Trini but they say they don't have faculty to teach in UWI....somthing eh right...well i had plans to go through the official UWI program but i cyar move to Barbados....dat ovah ridiculous... :?

[Sumana]

UoL degree is better neways

[Solachica]

I think its in the 2nd year you gotta go Barbados.

[serenity]

How is it better Sumana?
U do less courses than UWI, u write fewer exams than UWI and u come out knowing less about what actually pertains in the Cbbean, which contrary to popular belief, is not always based on England's laws.

I believe UWI in Jamaica does Geography and Geology etc, Uwi Bdos does law and well allyuh know what it have in UWI Tdad. So all doesnt offer everything. I have long had issues with that system Satya, since it seems u hadda be rich or have rich parents to be able to pursue full time studies in law at UWI in Bdos where the cost of living is unaffordable fr many.

Then, if u decide to go with a University of London degree, its more pressure bec at the end of it, unless u can afford to live in England, u have to write entrance exams to Hugh Wooding Law School which is another story by itself. Think about it carefully Satya and talk to lots of ppl who went tru both systems before u decide what to do.

[Solachica]

Yea heard horror stories abt the competition for limited places in hugh wooding.

Uwi sta started the geography degree abt2 yrs now.

[Satya]

UTT offering law?...I know they just open but this is a prime way for them to steal some people from UWI, fill the void...and if they offer it on evenings and weekends that would be even better....me eh want to go to Hugh Wooding, ah moving back to nyc when i done...

the hitch is uncle sam will take a degree from UWI/UTT no problem but a UOL degree from a school in Trinidad (as opposed to a UOL degree earned in London) will be problematic....i am not staying in Trinidad so the hugh wooding scenario is not a problem, I find this whole thing so absurd...you have a system that is horrifically broken...why are they so dependent on one another? you have a legitimate campus, all courses should be offered everywhere, that is an undue hardship to place on an institution, so the entire caribbean has to go to barbados if they want to be a lawyer? how dat make sense? They are setting people up to fail....have they seen the cost of living in trinidad? people NEED to work yet all the classes are in the day....and to top it off, when alternatives present themselves (via UOL external programme) schools like Hugh wooding have an elitist attitude....we really have a long way to go...

But serenity why do you say they learn less? Which classes to they cut out?
I have heard good things about the UOL external program but I have only heard people gripe about UWI. Would love to hear more opinions

[Sumana]

I never heard someone say that a UWI degree is superior to UoL you have to be mad, I'll take UoL over UWI any day, any time, any place.

[serenity]

Sumana, I never said UoL's was inferior. I just asked u why u think its better. But I guess according to your answer, u based your view on what other ppl say and did not say. :roll:

Satya, at UWI they have 5 courses per semester with exams at the end of each. UoL had 4 courses per academic year with exams at the end of the year. UWI has the benefit of experienced and well qualified lecturers while schools that offer UoL usually have green attorneys or persons with their degrees but havent yet got tru to Hugh Wooding. Gail Narinesingh at ILAS is excellent though, i think that where sumana is doing hers.

ike I said, talk to ppl who went tru the systems and then form your own opinion. Then u could probably lend sumana it. :mrgreen:

[Sumana]

I did my research talking to the top lawyers in this country - they advised me of the better choice :roll:

[Solachica]

With any school you need to do your research and make sure it wud be recognised if/when you going abroad in which ever country.

People can be biased in their opinion so thts why its best to get more than one biased opinion. :lol: then weigh the pros and cons.

[Satya]

Satya, at UWI they have 5 courses per semester with exams at the end of each. UoL had 4 courses per academic year with exams at the end of the year.


:shock: so how long the degree will take to finish if you do it through UOL.....you saying 5 courses at uwi per SEMESTER and 4 courses per YEAR at UOL....ah read that right? :shock:

well trinidad meg it up anyway because i call the NYS law examiners board today and trinidad takes a different view than the UK....the LEC (hugh wooding portion) is considered an ACADEMIC requirement, whereas in the UK, the LPC/BVC is considered a VOCATIONAL requirement, so uncle sam with the english, trinidad say people eh ready so no way to take the bar in NY without completing the LEC but if you have a LLB from london (but you don't have a LPC/BVC) you can take the bar.....go figure...

and the real question is, why someone is a lawyer in Trinidad and when they reach england the queen does say you are a solictor not a barrister?

[Sumana]

That's the difference if you go to London to do your Bar, u can do either the LPC or LEC to become a solicitor or a barrister (one of the two is more expensive) but you can use both in Trinidad, and everyone in Trinidad is lumped into one category - attorney

[sylvestter]

Well lawd have mercy...i have heard it all...i call UWI to find out about their LLB program, and dem people say I have to move to Barbados :shock: ....but how dat ting could make sense, and to top it off she tell me that you can't work and go through the program....i kinda lost, dem is some real whacked out kinda rules....it have all these school offering University of London LLB all over Trini but they say they don't have faculty to teach in UWI....somthing eh right...well i had plans to go through the official UWI program but i cyar move to Barbados....dat ovah ridiculous... :?

so do your programme in trinidad. what is the problem?
accoring to sumana the UL degree 'better', so there you go.

fix your mix satya.

[Satya]

That's the difference if you go to London to do your Bar, u can do either the LPC or LEC to become a solicitor or a barrister (one of the two is more expensive) but you can use both in Trinidad, and everyone in Trinidad is lumped into one category - attorney


there is no LEC in England, the choices are LPC (for solicitors) and BVC (for barristers), Trinidad just happen to give a program that England considers to be inferior to the BVC, for some reason even though people are called to the Bar in Trinidad with an LEC, ah the colonizers.... you have to give them credit, they still finding a way to make sure we stay second class...you cannot be called to the bar in england with an LPC, that is reserved for BVC holders only...which is why solicitors are not held in high regard

[Solachica]

:?
whts this LPC and BVC? :geek:

[Satya]

LPC = Legal Practice course ( for solicitors/legal advisors, they have no 'right to audienece')
BVC - Bar Vocational Course (for barristers/lawyers)

[Solachica]

:mrgreen:
I see. I learn my something new for today

[sylvestter]

it's a fused profession in trinidad. as it is in australia, canada and several other commonwealth countries. that does not make us inferior.

[serenity]

That's the difference if you go to London to do your Bar, u can do either the LPC or LEC to become a solicitor or a barrister (one of the two is more expensive) but you can use both in Trinidad, and everyone in Trinidad is lumped into one category - attorney


there is no LEC in England, the choices are LPC (for solicitors) and BVC (for barristers), Trinidad just happen to give a program that England considers to be inferior to the BVC, for some reason even though people are called to the Bar in Trinidad with an LEC, ah the colonizers.... you have to give them credit, they still finding a way to make sure we stay second class...you cannot be called to the bar in england with an LPC, that is reserved for BVC holders only...which is why solicitors are not held in high regard

Listen, u clearly have some research to do on what is the role of solicitors and advocates. None superior or inferior. Their roles are just different. Solicitors are not advocates. They liase with witnesses and clients etc. The advocates (barristers) are the mouth piece in court. In Tdad,like Syl said, the profession is fused. There is no differentiation bet advocates and solicitors - all attorneys can appear in court and can interchange roles freely. There is no specialised training for one or the other as there is in England which is why they may hesitate to accept the LEC.

[Satya]

Listen, u clearly have some research to do on what is the role of solicitors and advocates. None superior or inferior. Their roles are just different. Solicitors are not advocates. They liase with witnesses and clients etc. The advocates (barristers) are the mouth piece in court. In Tdad,like Syl said, the profession is fused. There is no differentiation bet advocates and solicitors - all attorneys can appear in court and can interchange roles freely. There is no specialised training for one or the other as there is in England which is why they may hesitate to accept the LEC.

You are obviously grossly misinformed if you believe that there is no difference, I have been researching this for weeks I have spoken to the Law society of England, the NYS bar association, tried to get a hold of people at the law association of T&T but lo and behold no one picked up the phone.

I would suggest you take a double take. First of all I did not say it was inferior, I simply stated that the LEC was seen as inferior to the BVC. The point is, if you are called to the Bar after an LEC why not be called to the bar in the UK, why lose your status? It is common knowlege that solicitors are not the same as barristers, I live in NYC so I know what a fused law profession looks like, I need no clarification on that.

Second, the mere fact that solicitors in the UK are NOT called to the bar and have no right to audience proves how they are viewed by England's law society.

Third the hesitation to accept an LEC would have more to do with the course content as opposed to the 'fused profession theory'.

I have research to do regarding T'dad and their practices ( considering I haven't lived there for quite some time) but you seriously need to do a little more research yourself.

[serenity]

Satya, I said in Trinidad there is no difference. Geez! If somebody tells u otherwise, they lie. Read my post again carefully and u'll see that I've already offered an answer to most of your questions. Not being called to the bar as a solicitor in Egland is no biggie. Barristers address the court, solicitors dont, so why give them a license they'll never use? It doesnt mean one is viewed as inferior in the professional sense, maybe in the social sense, but that's another topic altogether. I'm just trying to help since i interact daily with persons trained every which way everyday - English Barrister, English Solicitor, Tdad, NY, SC, QC etc. I live here and am in the profession, so I think my info is good as is thanks.

[Satya]

Satya, I said in Trinidad there is no difference.

I never said anything to the contrary. I am fully aware of the fact that the profession is fused in Trinidad. I simply stated that people should not lose their right to audience if they have it in Trini, and commented on the solicitor/barrister distinction in the UK which does affect Trini lawyers negatively when they who move there.

If you read my post you will see that you never addressed the second question I posed to you for clarification.

[serenity]

:lol:
Satya girl, like syl said, u fix yuh mix.

[Satya]

LOL....such is life....people eh seem to really know much anyways....have these place doh have website, people claim to know things they don't, and nobody picking up the phone when you call.....LOL....sweet T&T :lol:

[sylvestter]

serenity - why are you expending so much energy on this???
doh fight it down.

[Somebody007]

Satya, you can also do the first of law in Barbados as well. They specialised in law. University of London has more recognition than UWI at the end of the day. The thing is, you do a law degree in UWI and all you can do is stay right here in the Caribbean with that. If you intend to take your practice international, then UWI is not an option for you. Take it from me, you'll suffer to get UWI behind your name and after all that hard work, you'll realise that UWI has no great set of worth on the job market. Try University of London instead.

[sylvestter]

Satya, you can also do the first of law in Barbados as well. They specialised in law. University of London has more recognition than UWI at the end of the day. The thing is, you do a law degree in UWI and all you can do is stay right here in the Caribbean with that. If you intend to take your practice international, then UWI is not an option for you. Take it from me, you'll suffer to get UWI behind your name and after all that hard work, you'll realise that UWI has no great set of worth on the job market. Try University of London instead.

that is the stupidest statement i have ever heard.
if you want to practise law abroad it's your bar exams that count, not your llb.

[Somebody007]

Satya, you can also do the first of law in Barbados as well. They specialised in law. University of London has more recognition than UWI at the end of the day. The thing is, you do a law degree in UWI and all you can do is stay right here in the Caribbean with that. If you intend to take your practice international, then UWI is not an option for you. Take it from me, you'll suffer to get UWI behind your name and after all that hard work, you'll realise that UWI has no great set of worth on the job market. Try University of London instead.

that is the stupidest statement i have ever heard.
if you want to practise law abroad it's your bar exams that count, not your llb.


So you think you could work for the most prestigious lawyers (and QC's) in London with UWI behind your name???? Think again.

[serenity]

Actually Somebody, I've heard that in England, its tough to get a break unless u white and male. And good grades of course. An external degree would still suffer prejudice. Even if its a University of London degree. Finishing the external degree might be better for her in the world outside the cbbean of course, I think. But like syl said, at the end of the day all that really counts is hoow u perform at the bar exam, which is what I think Satya said she planned to do.

[sylvestter]

Satya, you can also do the first of law in Barbados as well. They specialised in law. University of London has more recognition than UWI at the end of the day. The thing is, you do a law degree in UWI and all you can do is stay right here in the Caribbean with that. If you intend to take your practice international, then UWI is not an option for you. Take it from me, you'll suffer to get UWI behind your name and after all that hard work, you'll realise that UWI has no great set of worth on the job market. Try University of London instead.

that is the stupidest statement i have ever heard.
if you want to practise law abroad it's your bar exams that count, not your llb.


So you think you could work for the most prestigious lawyers (and QC's) in London with UWI behind your name???? Think again.

i know several people who have done it...
but whatever.
i done with this topic.

[Somebody007]

Actually Somebody, I've heard that in England, its tough to get a break unless u white and male. And good grades of course. An external degree would still suffer prejudice. Even if its a University of London degree. Finishing the external degree might be better for her in the world outside the cbbean of course, I think. But like syl said, at the end of the day all that really counts is hoow u perform at the bar exam, which is what I think Satya said she planned to do.


What you said here is quite accurate and from a general standpoint, white males tend to get through alot faster than other people....What I am saying though, is no matter how you look at an external degree compared to UWI in the international and local arenas, people with University of London behind their name for example would move further ahead than others from UWI. At the end of the day though, it all boils down to how you perform in your job at the end of the day which counts the most.

With respect to Sylvestter's point, those who went up to England with UWI behind their names, they could have only made it unless they have contacts....otherwise, you are like a lonely boat in a massive ocean.

[ADHS60]

I am qualified as an English Barrister, a Trinidad Attorney, and practically as an English Solicitor (i.e. all I still need to do is submit some forms). I also studied law in the US. Just to throw a few things into the mix:

(1) With respect to 'rights of audience', it is no longer strictly true that solicitors do not have rights of audience. It is now possible for solicitors to pursue a course which gives them rights of audience in higher courts (they have always had rights of audience in certain lower courts). So that is an option. On the flipside, some barristers are now employed by law firms.

(2) It is not true to say that bar exams are more important than your degree. In my view 99.99% of practitioners in England have limited respect for the BVC or LPC. They will judge you based on your law degree - where you got it, and what grades you got. Good grades at degree level are key - and most people land their jobs before they have even been to bar school. Perhaps if you want to practice in the US things are somewhat different.

(3) The fact that solicitors cannot be "called to the Bar" does not prove "how they are viewed by England's Law Society". That is like saying that the fact that barristers are not generally "admitted to the roll" proves "how they are viewed by England's Bar Council". The professions are distinct, and I think you are failing to appreciate the extent to which they are distinct. There are things that solicitors are allowed to do, that barristers are not allowed to do, and vice versa. So a barrister can talk in court, but he cannot phone up the client. (I would be happy to answer any questions about the differences, having experienced both).

(4) Are you suggesting that a lawyer from Trinidad who goes to England should choose whether they want to practice as a solicitor or as a barrister, and that England should recognise their choice? I suppose that might make sense - but I do think that Trinidad better prepares you for practice as a solicitor than as a barrister. And I do not see why an LEC should NECESSARILY qualify you as a barrister in England. The BVC / LPC does not NECESSARILY qualify you as an attorney in Trinidad (e.g. in Trinidad you need an LLB, in England you do not).

[Kalz]

Hi all. Can someone advise me on what time of the year the University of London LLB exams are held? I currently live abroad and have been doing them here but i will be moving back to Trinidad soon and need to write the exams in Trinidad in 2008. Can anyone advise? Thanks!!

[Sumana]

What year are u?
It's in May/JUne, the dates are out on the website.

[Kalz]

Thanks Sumana. I've been in final year about three years. I just have not had the time to write the exams. Just one core and two options to go!.

Kalz

[Sumana]

Good luckz!!! I'm first year :oops:

[Pinktrini]

Hey I have a question... UMMMMM... When you finish doing the degree, lets say the UoL distance degree here in trini.. And you goin away to do the LPC right.. When you ready to come home in trini to practice, what you have to do??.. How much time you have to spend here in trini before you can be practising lawyer... Cuz i know law school in england is an alternative to going hugh wooding, so what is the cross over to actually be allowed to practise once you finish the LPC in England...?? thanks!!!

[ebony02]

Wow!

I am so happy I came across this thread. I am currently a litigation paralegal in NYC and have plans on applying to law school in the Caribbean this year.

So my question is, does the UofL degree better prepare you to:

1. Be a barrister
2. To sit the exam needed to obtain your LEC if you wish to practice in the Caribbean?

So if one obtains their LLB from UofL do they then have to attend one of the three law schools (provided you do well on exam) if intentions are to practice law in the Caribbean?

Lastly, what options exist for you in the UK with a degree from UofL? How does one become both a barrister and solicitor??

Thank you soo much!!!!

[ebony02]

Hey I have a question... UMMMMM... When you finish doing the degree, lets say the UoL distance degree here in trini.. And you goin away to do the LPC right.. When you ready to come home in trini to practice, what you have to do??.. How much time you have to spend here in trini before you can be practising lawyer... Cuz i know law school in england is an alternative to going hugh wooding, so what is the cross over to actually be allowed to practise once you finish the LPC in England...?? thanks!!!


If you do not gain admittance into HWLS or any of the three recognized law schools in the Caribbean, you can then obtain your LPC followed by a minimum of 6 months training in Trinidad upon which you will "obtain a certificate from the head of chambers of an attorney-at-law of not less than ten years standing, practising in Trinidad and Tobago"

OR

You obtain your LPC followed by a training session of two years in the UK and admitted to the roll of solicitors of the Supreme Court of England & Wales. No training in Trinidad is needed if this route is taken.

The LPC course is 9 months in length and in my opinion costs and arm an a leg. I can only imagine what the BVC costs. :?
http://lawassociationtt.com/bar_requirements.htm

[springbok]

Take it from one who actuallly knows. I am a UWI law student, its the most elite and exclusive programme of study in the Caribbean I had three A's in GCE to pull me in, around 600 or less persons in the whole Caribbean gain entry to do the llb. The law faculty is situate in UWI Cavehill, Barbados as the other two campuses ie St Augustine and Mona do not have a law faulty although they do offer law for one year and years two are three are to be completed in Cavehill. This LLB is worth its weight in gold!! its highly esteemed around the world and is even better than some British law degrees. It also allows one automatic entry into Hugh Wooding Law School upon passing the LLB; as well as the other two law schools in the West Indies.
However the London programme is a joke in my humble opinion as the core of instruction is entirely British, while the standard that is required in the Caribbean is that of instruction in Anglo West Indian jurisprudence additionally one has to fight for a place to get into law school, dont believe me well try it for yourself. While London may offer certain flexibilities of time, it does not leave one in a better position.

[ebony02]

Take it from one who actuallly knows. I am a UWI law student, its the most elite and exclusive programme of study in the Caribbean I had three A's in GCE to pull me in, around 600 or less persons in the whole Caribbean gain entry to do the llb. The law faculty is situate in UWI Cavehill, Barbados as the other two campuses ie St Augustine and Mona do not have a law faulty although they do offer law for one year and years two are three are to be completed in Cavehill. This LLB is worth its weight in gold!! its highly esteemed around the world and is even better than some British law degrees. It also allows one automatic entry into Hugh Wooding Law School upon passing the LLB; as well as the other two law schools in the West Indies.
However the London programme is a joke in my humble opinion as the core of instruction is entirely British, while the standard that is required in the Caribbean is that of instruction in Anglo West Indian jurisprudence additionally one has to fight for a place to get into law school, dont believe me well try it for yourself. While London may offer certain flexibilities of time, it does not leave one in a better position.

Thank you for sharing your insight.

I am applying to the UWI LLB program this year in hopes of gaining admittance. I hope the fact that I am a mature student (two degrees and some work experience at a NYC international law firm) does not lessen my chances of being admitted.

However, if I am not admitted, I do not think I will opt for entrance into the other Institutes that offer LLB programs. There courses are not as in depth or engrossed as I would expect from a legal education.

With thousands of applicants and only a few hundreds of seats, I can only pray and hope I am one of the chosen individuals this year.

Again, many thanks to you!

[sylvestter]

Take it from one who actuallly knows. I am a UWI law student, its the most elite and exclusive programme of study in the Caribbean I had three A's in GCE to pull me in, around 600 or less persons in the whole Caribbean gain entry to do the llb. The law faculty is situate in UWI Cavehill, Barbados as the other two campuses ie St Augustine and Mona do not have a law faulty although they do offer law for one year and years two are three are to be completed in Cavehill. This LLB is worth its weight in gold!! its highly esteemed around the world and is even better than some British law degrees. It also allows one automatic entry into Hugh Wooding Law School upon passing the LLB; as well as the other two law schools in the West Indies.
However the London programme is a joke in my humble opinion as the core of instruction is entirely British, while the standard that is required in the Caribbean is that of instruction in Anglo West Indian jurisprudence additionally one has to fight for a place to get into law school, dont believe me well try it for yourself. While London may offer certain flexibilities of time, it does not leave one in a better position.

Thank you for sharing your insight.

I am applying to the UWI LLB program this year in hopes of gaining admittance. I hope the fact that I am a mature student (two degrees and some work experience at a NYC international law firm) does not lessen my chances of being admitted.

However, if I am not admitted, I do not think I will opt for entrance into the other Institutes that offer LLB programs. There courses are not as in depth or engrossed as I would expect from a legal education.

With thousands of applicants and only a few hundreds of seats, I can only pray and hope I am one of the chosen individuals this year.

Again, many thanks to you!you will get in, particular due to the fact that you have prior degrees.

[sylvestter]

its the most elite and exclusive programme of study in the Caribbean hahahaha. i never laughed so much in my life

[ebony02]

its the most elite and exclusive programme of study in the Caribbean hahahaha. i never laughed so much in my life

Care to share why?

[sylvestter]

its the most elite and exclusive programme of study in the Caribbean hahahaha. i never laughed so much in my life

Care to share why?not really

i will say however that the uwi llb programme is an excellent one. i cannot compare it to an external programme as i have never been enrolled in an external programme and i refuse to engage in the silly discussion about 'my degree is better than yours'.

you really learn a lot via the uwi programme. you are taught by some of the brightest caribbean minds. you think in a caribbean context which serves you well even though you also learn british case law.

if you wish to practise anywhere else in the world, you have no more or less benefit than anyone else because you have to do the bar conversion exams and the degree really does not matter.

but as with any other profession, there are lots of stupid lawyers walking around who think they know everything. at the end of the day it's not only about the programme of study but rather about the character and commitment of the student.

[harvard Law]

I CURRENTLY PRACTICE LAW IN TRINIDAD AND I CAN SAY FIRST HAND THAT A LONDON LAW DEGREE IS NOT A JOKE. I GRADUATED FROM HARVARD IN 1998 AND I HAVE WORKED WITH MANY LAWYERS. NONE OF WHICH ATTENDED UWI. OF THE TOP LAWYERS THAT PRACTICE IN TRINIDAD NONE ATTENDED UWI, ALL FROM INTERNATIONAL LAW SCHOOLS. PLUS THE UOL LAW DEGREE IS HELD AT A HIGHER STANDARD WORLD WIDE THAN A UWI DEGREE. UWI was founded in 1948 as the University College of the West Indies (UCWI) at Mona in Jamaica, in special relationship with the University of London. It achieved independent university status in 1962. The St Augustine Campus in Trinidad, formerly the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture (ICTA), now how is this better? I DON'T SEE THE COMPARISON, UOL LAWYERS CAN NOW PRACTICE IN THE USA AFTER PASSING THE BAR, IN CERTAIN STATES. UWI CANNOT, HARVARD LAW SCHOOL GOT UOL PROFESSORS THAT WERE AT THE TOP OF THEIR CLASS. HUGH WOODING IS FOR THE TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO LAWYERS THAT DON'T INTEND TO LEAVE TRINIDAD. UWI IS SUBSTANDARD, DONT EVEN TRY TO COMPARE A UWI DEGREE TO ANY DEGREE MAY IT BE LAW OR ANY DEGREE FROM UOL. ANYONE IN HERE WITH COMMON SENCE PLEASE APPLY TO UOL FOR A QUALIFYING LAW DEGREE DON'T BE SCREWED AT UWI.

[Falcon]

Thanks for the advice but THERE'S NO NEED TO SHOUT!!!!

[ebony02]

"Harvard Law School GOT UoL professors"? LOL. Oh please. UWI and Hugh Wooding Law has produced top attorneys both within and outside the Caribbean. Many of whom currently have their own practices in the Caribbean. The UWI degree in law is also "no joke" as is the LEC. But why should I take a Harvard law graduate (as if that should matter) who cannot express himself in an astute manner seriously? Please go sit down somewhere with your utter nonsense.

[sylvestter]

sigh

[ebony02]

Is everything OK Syl? As someone who have thoroughly researched the opportunities available to HWLS graduates, I find Harvard Law's post to be preposterous.

[ebony02]

Also a side note: I know many UWI graduates with LEC qualifications who went on to practice law in the USA. Most have obtained their LLM from such schools like Columbia, Georgetown and Harvard following the completion of their "not as reputable" qualifications from UWI.

[harvard Law]

There are no schools accredited by the ABA that recognizes a law degree from UWI in the USA, you will still have to attend a US accredited law school as required by th ABA.please don't mislead, thats the law, in the US.please produce FACTS in this forum

[harvard Law]

The University of the West Indies is substandard because it is regionally accredited by the caricom, it piggy backs on accredited institutions to get recognition. The engineering program is currently piggy backing on UOL and on other US based schools. The University of London was first established by a Royal Charter in 1836, which brought together in federation London University (now University College London) and King's College (now King's College London), to establish today's federally-structured University of London. The university of the West Indies is not even accredited by CHEA. Your law degree is worthless from UWI. Prestigious, are you serious. The university of the West Indies is not even ranked in the top 3000 world wide. And please question my facts on this forum, not how it is posted. My first posting was done in a hurry. So to conclude UWI is a Caribbean diploma mill. And if you go to the usa with a UWI law degree you stil have to attend a US law school and get a us law degree
as specified by the ABA. question my facts now.

[ebony02]

There are no schools accredited by the ABA that recognizes a law degree from UWI in the USA, you will still have to attend a US accredited law school as required by th ABA.please don't mislead, thats the law, in the US.please produce FACTS in this forum

Clearly you cannot read. I NEVER implied that one can practice in the US or UK for that matter with simply an LLB/LEC from UWI. The same goes for one who has graduated with just an LLB from a school in the UK.

However, one can be accepted into an LLM program following their L.E.C. from one of the three law schools in the Caribbean, which IS recognized by ABA accredited law schools in the United States.

Some examples:

Mark Ramkerrysingh, Partner, Fitzilliam Stone, Trinidad
Education
Trinity College
University of the West Indies –LL.B 1979 – 1982
Hugh Wooding Law School – 1983-1985
Columbia Law School – LL.M -.1994-1995

Lindsay F.P. Grant, LLB (Hons), LEC, LLM (Harvard)

Mr. Grant holds an LLB from the University of the West Indies in British Common Law and an LLM from the renowned Harvard Law School in International Banking and Finance. He also holds a legal education certificate from the Norman Manley Law School which entitles him to practice throughout the entire English speaking Caribbean.
http://www.gibraltartrustco.com/Profile.cfm

Andrea H.M. Stewartson
Robinson & Jacobs, P.C.
7731 Belle Point Drive, Beltsville, MD 20770

Education: George Washington Univeristy Law Center, L.L.M; University of the West Indies ( Norman Manley Law School) L.L.B.


Dr. Rajendra Ramlogan, Professor of Law, University of the West Indies
BA LLB UWI
LLM NYU
PhD Cambridge
LEC Hugh Wooding Law School
Senior Lecturer in Business Law

There are many many more examples, through a simple internet search, that proves otherwise.

Even your esteemed Harvard Law School has accepted graduates with LLB/LEC degrees attained through UWI.

You are certainly a troll and I have wasted enough time as it is trying to debunk your asinine statements.

[harvard Law]

LOL you just proved my point every lawyer you named had to complete a US degree.

[harvard Law]

There are no law schools in the Caribbean accredited by the ABA show me where to look and i will concede this discussion.

[harvard Law]

Its funny your bad mouthing the school that found UWI. And since this discussion is going no where I am done, you are not producing any facts just proving me correct. One more thing you just mentioned my name....lol.

[ebony02]

LOL you just proved my point every lawyer you named had to complete a US degree.

Your point is UWI's law degree is substandard to a law degree offered at University of London and that the lawyers holding law degrees from UWI only are limited to practice in the Caribbean and are not as succesful as attorneys holding a law degree from UoL.

My point is that one can practice in the United States and outside the Caribbean with an LLB from UWI.

You fail to realize that what matters is not the degree but passing the bar of the state.

Either way I have provided examples where those who have obtained LLB degrees from UWI:

1. Has been barred and are practicing in the United States
2. Have been approved by ABA accredited law schools to enter LLM programs
3. Are just as successful as those holding UK law degrees

And if I did, in fact, mention your name, you will be the one "bad mouthing the school that found UWI" as you are a product of a legal education afforded you by the very institute you claim is substandard.

Either way, I highly doubt you are a graduate of any of the aforementioned, but, more than likely, a distance learning student who is of the opinion that the external programme offered at such institutes like ILAS and Beckles in Trinidad is superior to UWI's LLB. You are gravely mistaken.

[harvard Law]

I never said that UWI lawyers are not good, just don't rate UWI above UOL. But I will say this to put an end to my involvement in this discussion. I respect the UWI law program , but don't over rate it as you are doing, it is what it is a UWI degree. And yes I hate Columbia. To everyone in this forum remember its not where you get your degree is what you do with it, but please don't take substandard. If UOL is good enough for ANR Robinson its good enough for you. Goodbye ebony02 hope to see you in court soon , with that UWI degree.

[ebony02]

I never said that UWI lawyers are not good, just don't rate UWI above UOL. But I will say this to put an end to my involvement in this discussion. I respect the UWI law program , but don't over rate it as you are doing, it is what it is a UWI degree. And yes I hate Columbia. To everyone in this forum remember its not where you get your degree is what you do with it, but please don't take substandard. If UOL is good enough for ANR Robinson its good enough for you. Goodbye ebony02 hope to see you in court soon , with that UWI degree.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I'm actually keeping my options open. Looking at Harvard, NYU and Columbia.

See you in court.

[harvard Law]

I like that. keep them open did the LSAT yet? if looking at harvard I have some tips you can use, if you know who is your interviewer. what field?

[ebony02]

I like that. keep them open did the LSAT yet? if looking at harvard I have some tips you can use, if you know who is your interviewer. what field?

I did sit them but cancelled my score. Will be retaking shortly. Currently work for a V20 international law firm so my time for study is quite limited.

I would love to hear any tips you may have with regards to Harvard Law, though, studying in New York seems more appealing than Cambridge.

And as a side note, when you reference UoL are you speaking of the university exclusively or also their external programme?

I know they offer the external LLB programme in the Caribbean at various institutes, though, I question the environment of host institutes. I also hear many Caribbean nationals that are enrolled in the external programme fail their exams. That is evident that all may not be well.

[harvard Law]

Both external and the on campus program. All law programs are difficult, how you apply your self makes the diffrence.Yes, allot of students fail in the caribbean UOL exams because the instructors in the caribbean are questionable. NYU is a very good choice. But keep in mind where you get you degree is only 10% of the puzzle, how you use it is the next 90%.

[ebony02]

Both external and the on campus program. All law programs are difficult, how you apply your self makes the diffrence.Yes, allot of students fail in the caribbean UOL exams because the instructors in the caribbean are questionable. NYU is a very good choice. But keep in mind where you get you degree is only 10% of the puzzle, how you use it is the next 90%.

I couldn't agree more.

So I must ask you, which option is better for someone who already holds a Bachelors and postgraduate degree with intent to perhaps, practice in the Caribbean but who wishes for one's degree to be transnational? :

(1) US law school + major debt + BIGLAW to pay off debt and lead a miserable life = total of 3 years

(2) UK GDL/LLB + LPC with options to obtain a training contract in the UK or relocate in the Caribbean to practice = 2.5 years; or

(3) UWI + Hugh Wooding Law + little to no debt = 4 years


Of course, I would prefer going the UK route, but the UK is extremely expensive and I have no intentions of doing anything externally. And practicing in the US is a viable option but I'd rather not take on so much debt for a degree that nowadays doesn't guarantee an offer from a top law firm and where first year associate's salaries will be cut.

That leaves me with UWI. Not much debt, and a reputable degree within the region.

What is your advice?

[harvard Law]

I did # 1. I think you should do # 1 then the LEC in the caribbean.

[ebony02]

I did # 1. I think you should do # 1 then the LEC in the caribbean.

How did you cover for costs? Didn't you have to pay back student loans? If so, how long did it take you to pay off everything? Also, did you go the BIGLAW route? It seems the BIGLAW route is the only option available to pay off law school debt incurred during those three years.

[grapesweetie]

Its funny your bad mouthing the school that found UWI. And since this discussion is going no where I am done, you are not producing any facts just proving me correct. One more thing you just mentioned my name....lol.


Harvard law...what are your thoughts about environmental law...not many schools offer the option..(Vermont Law School topping the list...with Pace University also among the top 5...)


I am thinking of going that route...with a masters in environmental policy as another option?

[harvard Law]

I did # 1. I think you should do # 1 then the LEC in the caribbean.

How did you cover for costs? Didn't you have to pay back student loans? If so, how long did it take you to pay off everything? Also, did you go the BIGLAW route? It seems the BIGLAW route is the only option available to pay off law school debt incurred during those three years.


I took out a loan. And yes I was in dept, but it all paid off in the end after doing my internship leaving Slaughter and May, just to review a case I charge 6000.

[harvard Law]

Its funny your bad mouthing the school that found UWI. And since this discussion is going no where I am done, you are not producing any facts just proving me correct. One more thing you just mentioned my name....lol.


Harvard law...what are your thoughts about environmental law...not many schools offer the option..(Vermont Law School topping the list...with Pace University also among the top 5...)


I am thinking of going that route...with a masters in environmental policy as another option?

I can't tell you what branch of law to do but what ever your decision is remember you have to like doing it, and with environmental law you will most likely not be defending the environmentalist but the big company doing the pollution. So, are you ready for that?

[ebony02]

[quote="harvard Law":zd69aqeg]I did # 1. I think you should do # 1 then the LEC in the caribbean.

How did you cover for costs? Didn't you have to pay back student loans? If so, how long did it take you to pay off everything? Also, did you go the BIGLAW route? It seems the BIGLAW route is the only option available to pay off law school debt incurred during those three years.


I took out a loan. And yes I was in dept, but it all paid off in the end after doing my internship leaving Slaughter and May, just to review a case I charge 6000.[/quote:zd69aqeg]

Slaughter and May?

One of the top firms in the UK Magic Circle.

Good for you, but, I've already paid off my debt for undergrad and right now, I do not want to take out anymore loans to get a degree that doesn't guarantee anything.

I have seen so many attorneys who have graduated from HWLS, and are working as expats or outside the Caribbean, some partners at offshore UK law firms, making a great life for themselves.

And then, you see the young or senior associate at a US law firm and its a completely different story. Their lives are wretched, have no time for themselves or for family, most divorced or cheating...I just can't see myself living that kind of life.

The money is great, yes, but the lifestyle....a completely different story. :?

[harvard Law]

Thats true. The lifestyle is not healthy in the US due to what is demanded of lawyers. My intentions right now is to move to Tobago open an office at the water front and take clients between surfs.

[ebony02]

Thats true. The lifestyle is not healthy in the US due to what is demanded of lawyers. My intentions right now is to move to Tobago open an office at the water front and take clients between surfs.

Well, when and if you do, I would love to intern at your firm. :D

[harvard Law]

Sure!

[The teacher]

I have been monitering this site for some time, reading the various debates about which school to go to, what the opportunities are etc. Before I give you my version I would like to declare my interst here. I am an lecturer from UK who has visited many of the schools mentioned in Trinidad. The bottom line is this. The University of London LLB offers students up to date books, a useful VLE system, and on the whole very well qualified lecturers. The whole idea of the external programme was to allow people from across the globe the opportunity to study for a UL law degree. The materials that you recieve today and the support from London should allow any conscientious student to do well on the course. If there have been failures and poor pass rates perhaps the fault is not so much the institution that they are studying at, but their own application to the task of studying.

I have met many students from acroos the world who have taken the London LLB. The students in the Carribean are just as bright and capable as they are. Indeed many of the Lecturers that teach you have excellent degree and from my point of view are worthy lectureres

At the end of the day you have to make a decision where to study. Once you have passed your LLB does it really matter. What deos matter is the way YOU apply yourself to the task at hand.

Good luck.

[Wayne]

OMG,every where I look on this Forum,I see Cree Summers from "A Different World" a defunct television
show........are there "reruns" of this show on the Forum?

[butter]

I am a Trini living in Antigua. I am married to an Antiguan. My 17 year old daughter is Antiguan. She is presently a 2nd year A level student. She cannot get into UWI to study law as an Antiguan student as Antigua has a restriction on the number of students studying law at UWI. Only two at a time. Need to know if Trinidad also has the same restriction and any other info. Thanks for your help.

[Wayne]

Hello butter,I did not see you on the Introductions page.However I am sure that some of the
qualified members can give you a credible answer.....Welcome to the Forum.

[sylvestter]

I am a Trini living in Antigua. I am married to an Antiguan. My 17 year old daughter is Antiguan. She is presently a 2nd year A level student. She cannot get into UWI to study law as an Antiguan student as Antigua has a restriction on the number of students studying law at UWI. Only two at a time. Need to know if Trinidad also has the same restriction and any other info. Thanks for your help.

only two at a time??? i have never heard of such a restriction. there were several people in my class from dominica. i would think the same holds for antigua..

generally people from up the islands (excluding t&t and jamaica) do their first year at the cave hill campus in barbados. i'm not sure whether people from antigua would do their first year in barbados or at or mona in jamaica as i vaguely remember that people from certain northern islands did their first year in jamaica.

but if your daughter is a 2nd year a level student, what do you mean she 'cannot get into UWI'? IF such a restriction exists, then she should have applied anyway and based on her a level results, the best two antiguan students would be accepted into the programme.

in any event, all applications to law must be addressed to cave hill, and the faculty will decide where the student is placed for his/her first year.

[butter]

Apparently, there is a quota on the persons studying law at UWI. I am also told there is a waiting list. Not sure if it also has anything to do with the economic cost, as a few years ago Antigua was way behind on its fees owed to UWI . Seems as if most students are either leaning towards medicine or law. Very small population in Antigua (total island population is approx 100 k people ) and it appears that most students are going to England, Scotland or the U.S. When they obtain the degree they then go to Trinidad for 6 -9 months.
Since this is not the case in T & T and she would have dual nationality then perhaps she should apply as a Trinidadian citizen.
My other alternative is to send her to U.S. That takes seven years.
I am going back to the Board Of Educ next week and will share info as to all of the reasons on the quota.
Thanks for your help and if anyone has other info or ideas I would appreciate.

[sylvestter]

Apparently, there is a quota on the persons studying law at UWI. I am also told there is a waiting list. Not sure if it also has anything to do with the economic cost, as a few years ago Antigua was way behind on its fees owed to UWI . Seems as if most students are either leaning towards medicine or law. Very small population in Antigua (total island population is approx 100 k people ) and it appears that most students are going to England, Scotland or the U.S. When they obtain the degree they then go to Trinidad for 6 -9 months.
Since this is not the case in T & T and she would have dual nationality then perhaps she should apply as a Trinidadian citizen.
My other alternative is to send her to U.S. That takes seven years.
I am going back to the Board Of Educ next week and will share info as to all of the reasons on the quota.
Thanks for your help and if anyone has other info or ideas I would appreciate.well whether she applies as a trini or antiguan, her acceptance will be based on merit...

[ebony02]

Hey butter!

She could also apply as a Trinidadian to all three UWI campuses as the 1st year for the LLB programme can be done on any of the three campuses. She would then need to study at Cave Hill for her remaining two years.

She could also look into applying for the University of London external LLB programme if she has no success with UWI.

[sylvestter]

Hey butter!

She could also apply as a Trinidadian to all three UWI campuses as the 1st year for the LLB programme can be done on any of the three campuses. She would then need to study at Cave Hill for her remaining two years.that is incorrect. the application must be made to cave hill. depending on where she resides or her nationality, she will be assigned to a campus. if she applies as a trini, she will be competing with other trini students and will have to do her first year at st. augustine.

[butter]

Thanks everyone for your input and advise. I called Board Of Education this morning ( Monday and Tuesday was carnival here ).
Quota to study law per year is ONE Antiguan student. Worse than I thought ! This is a decison made between the Bar Assoc here and the Government. Bar Assoc feels that the island is saturated with lawyers, taking into consideration the small population and this is one way of cutting down on the number of lawyers. Only one law student per year !
They were kind enough to give me the complete cost including the econmic cost and it came to a total of approx $45,000.00 BBD ( $60,000.00 ECD ) per year, if by chance they would allowed me to send her and I paid in full. Wow ! Good thing about Barbados is that my sister is married to a Bajan and lives there.
So I have three alternatives -
Apply as a T & T citizen. She would have to spend one year at St. Augustine which she would love. Hopefully St.Augustine's doesn't have any other requirements besides the grades.
Send her to England which is costly considering the pound, housing, clothing etc. Husband works in the airline industry so tickets are minor.
Send her Mid Western State Univ in Texas. Mid Western has an arrangement with the OECS governments where students from the islands pay a special tuition rate and not the international tuition. Only problem there - Law in the U.S takes seven (7) years and then another 6-9 months at UWI if she returns here. On a positive note; my mom is a U.S citizen residing in Texas and is filing. Has been six years in waiting. That will help with cost as well.

Now have to weigh all the options. I just want to say thanks to everyone and if you have any other ideas would appreciate. Thanks again.

[sylvestter]

Apply as a T & T citizen. She would have to spend one year at St. Augustine which she would love. Hopefully St.Augustine's doesn't have any other requirements besides the grades.
Send her to England which is costly considering the pound, housing, clothing etc. Husband works in the airline industry so tickets are minor.no the only requirement is grades, but bear in mind that the class is rarely more than 40 people, so it is VERY competitive.

[ebony02]

I would opt for UWI St. Augustine. UWI has an excellent LLB programme and if it is her intent to practice in the Caribbean then UWI is the way to go. I think the US route is a waste unless she wishes to practice in TX. Mid Western is not a well recognized law school, even in TX and name matters, especially in the US. And like you said, she will first have to do a 4 year degree, then attend a US law school, which takes a while. If she takes the UWI route, she will obtain her LLB in three yrs, her LEC in two, and have the option to either practice in the Caribbean or get her LLM from a prestigious US or UK law school/university if deciding to practice outside the Caribbean. Her options will be limitless! Good luck to you and your daughter!

[butter]

If she opted for the U.S route, was thinking of maybe getting her B.A at Mid Western and then transferring to another LAW School in the U.S but not Mid Western for the law school. Definitely was not thinking of doing the law degree at Mid Western - just the B.A. In the U.S you have to get a Bachelor's degree first and then a law degree from a Law School. Thats another three years. Making it a total of 7. Her first choice in the U.S was actually a university in Chicago - North Eastern. My step son is married and lives there and she has visited there. North Eastern is very very expensive and it was suggested that she either does the community college or Mid Western for two years and then transfer there.
Left to her, she is a Caribbean Person at heart, love the Trini food and lime hence I know she may want to opt for St.Augustine.
You guys have been great !

[ebony02]

Butter, Northeastern Illinois University does not have a law school. There is, however, Northeastern law school in Boston, MA, which is not highly ranked. If it isn't a 1st tier in the States, its not worth attending, unless she wants to pay back 100k in loans on a 50,000K (if that) salary.

[butter]

Was only thinking of Mid Western and North Western for B.A degree not for Law School. Haven't even thought about that one yet ! If she goes to the U.S just want to get thru the first four years for B.A and then move on from there. They have what is called college/university week here where they are seminars for the students and parents. They told us that she must have a B.A degree in any field and after she gets that degree then she can get into a law school. Lots of Antiguans are doing the community college route for two years and then transferring to a four year university to complete the next two. Its a cost saving measure. If she went to Mid Western in TX, she can take her credits and transfer to NW in Chicago reducing the high cost of the first two years. The Law School part of it is way down de road ! May have to hope for some financial intervention then or tell her to seek employment first. LOL. Lawd, I need to have a life too !
I know she will like UWI -St.Augustine. She is actually doing a summer internship in that field and one of the lawyers she is assigned to did part of his degree in T&T. She is being encouraged to do the same. Thanks again. I appreciate.

[kristt]

hi good day... i hope im not too late to provide u with some information. i am at present a student at the cavehill campus currently enroled in the faculty of law. the campus is small and because of the nature of the legal profession the issue of a quota is ddetermined based on the population of the country, in relation to the number of spaces availible. it doesnt matter which campus you apply to, all applications are assesed by cave hill and they select all students as they oversee the entire programme. there has been movements to offer the complette programme at both trinidad and jamaica. and i believe that mona just started to develop their programme which would be commin on stream soon. only this year was the quota increased from 40 to about 70 for trinidadian students. while some of the smaller islands like grenada have 3/4 etc. it all depends on the performance of the island and the grade of the aplicants. in addition a level students are competing for spaces with students who posess degrees or even post grad qualifications...if your daughter is antiguan, i can suggest, if her grades are very good to apply as a trinidadian national, as opposed to an antiguan. that way she can be considered as a trini, and then the tuition is also cheaper, sinse trinidad is a campus country (i think).. and she would benefit from Gate any way,(like a couple of my friends in skool)..lol of course a trini passport is required of that.

this is just some additional info

[ebony02]

Three year programme to be introduced at UWI-Mona, starting September 2009.


Carroll Edwards, public relations officer at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, says the institution is seeking to increase the number of options for pursuing the law degree programme offered by its Faculty of Law.

The UWI will be doing this by expanding its capacity at its three campuses.

Edwards was clarifying a report in The Sunday Gleaner yesterday, which suggested the UWI has scrapped the Barbados component of the degree programme.

Response to demands

In a letter sent to the editor yesterday, Edwards stressed that the UWI's move was aimed at increasing its capacity at its campuses in Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica rather than reducing the number of options.

"This is a direct response to increasing demands from hundreds of persons who are interested in pursuing its very competitive law programme," she stated.

Edwards said that traditionally, the UWI intake from Jamaica has been 40 students who are subsidised by government subventions and take their first year at Mona and transfer to Cave Hill for the final two years of the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) programme.

"This programme continues," she said. "However, effective September 2009, the UWI will also deliver the undergraduate law degree (LLB) at the Mona campus."

Edwards said this move follows on the recent introduction of the programme in The Bahamas.

"Under this arrangement, the Mona campus will admit a further 100 students who will take the entire three years of the degree at Mona," Edward said. Approximately 30 of those students will take their first year at the Western Jamaica campus of UWI, Mona, transferring to the Mona campus for the final two years.

Edwards added: "The expansion will be guided by senior academics already within the Faculty of Law and builds on the tradition of excellence in teaching and research already honed by the Cave Hill campus."

Facilitating jamaicans

She said the expansion would also facilitate those persons who have, in the past, found it challenging to travel to the Cave Hill campus, take advantage of the firm foundation which the UWI Bachelor of Laws degree provides.

Because the Government is unable to increase its budget allocation to UWI and has, in fact, reduced its subvention to Mona, all these additional students will pay the economic cost of the programme. However, a special feature of the intake is that these students will be eligible for bursaries to cover up to one-half of their tuition fees. These fees will cover the additional resources needed: staffing, library and IT resources, as well as teaching and office space.


http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/ ... lead7.html (http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090817/lead/lead7.html)

[SprynkleS]

Hi, I've skipped the introduction board as this is my moment of panic, and sorry to disappoint I'm a Vincy living there too but I really need the help. So yea typical UWI style I was called yesterday afternoon @ 5:00 to be told that I was accepted to the law program @ cavehill and I have to reply by at least the end of this week. My problem is I'm trying to figure out if it's worth it as I got accepted to Essex Uni in England(which according to the times rating is about #30-40 in the UK for law, a qualifying degree) and would have the option of staying with relatives significantly reducing my costs(the uni is 9000 pounds per year, 3 yr course) and maybe if I add in miscellaneous expenses would come up to about 140k ec...I've been reading through the posts I'm really keen on England because of the flexibility(I'd like to be accepted anywhere as I have many many interests which I'm not entirely sure I can fully pursue in the Caribbean) It seems the gov't pays the economic cost but I just need someone to tell me if its worth it, it's looking to be about 120k for now.
And p.s. my interests ...(I like psychology, got an A for it @ cambridge and I love my languages, French @ A level and did Spanish @ an embassy here)
Someone help me please... :(

[ebony02]

Hi, I've skipped the introduction board as this is my moment of panic, and sorry to disappoint I'm a Vincy living there too but I really need the help. So yea typical UWI style I was called yesterday afternoon @ 5:00 to be told that I was accepted to the law program @ cavehill and I have to reply by at least the end of this week.

Congratulations!!!


My problem is I'm trying to figure out if it's worth it as I got accepted to Essex Uni in England(which according to the times rating is about #30-40 in the UK for law, a qualifying degree) and would have the option of staying with relatives significantly reducing my costs(the uni is 9000 pounds per year, 3 yr course) and maybe if I add in miscellaneous expenses would come up to about 140k ec...

It's currently ranked as #43 for the 2009 rankings, which, depending on if you wish to stay on to practice law in the UK could be at your disadvantage.

As you've read there are two routes you can take upon completion of your LLB - that of a barrister or that of a solicitor.

Both are expensive, especially as a non-EU national, however, dependent on how well you do at your undergraduate could determine whether or not you can gain sponsorship from a firm (provided you wish to pursue the solicitor route) or land a pupillage (if you were to pursue the barrister route). If you wish to pursue the BVC (qualifications needed to qualify as a barrister in the UK) that will more than likely have to be at your expense.

Should you decide to accept your offer at Essex and continue your legal education in the UK, I would strongly recommend you:

1. Obtain First Class honours to make yourself more competitive, as the time will arrive when you will be applying for jobs and where you get your LLB will come into play. Name is everything in the UK;

2. Be prepared to pay quite a pretty penny for your postgraduate degree (be it for your BVC or LPC) following your LLB




I've been reading through the posts I'm really keen on England because of the flexibility(I'd like to be accepted anywhere as I have many many interests which I'm not entirely sure I can fully pursue in the Caribbean) It seems the gov't pays the economic cost but I just need someone to tell me if its worth it, it's looking to be about 120k for now.
And p.s. my interests ...(I like psychology, got an A for it @ cambridge and I love my languages, French @ A level and did Spanish @ an embassy here)
Someone help me please... :(

Please do not think having a UWI law degree limits your options. I also previously thought the same but this is far from true. There are countless of UWI graduates that are practicing outside the Caribbean, even for British firms. If you were to decide to do your LLB in the Caribbean, you can save the money spent for the UK to continue on to obtain your LLM (or other degrees) in the UK and be open to many opportunities outside the Caribbean.


Ultimately, the decision is yours, however, given your options, I would strongly encourage you to take your offer from UWI. I only say this because Essex, while offering you a great opportunity to study law in the UK, is not as reputable as some of the other UK universities offering the LLB, and that could cause a stumbling block in the event you wish to work in the UK. Of course, you could always go on to pursue your LPC or BVC at one of the top three postgrad institutes (BPP Law, College of Law, Nottingham Law) to open up more options to you. The only downsize to this is the cost, which you will more than likely have to pay out of your own pocket as a non-EU national. Postgrad qualifications can cost you anywhere from 5k-11k pounds, depending on where you go. The more reputable, the higher the cost.

Good luck to you, and, remember, a UWI law degree does not solely limit you to the Caribbean! ;)