LLB vs JD
What is the difference between LLB and JD may be a question for you if you are planning to be a lawyer and want to know what the best degree to follow is. LLB and JD are two degrees awarded to students in various colleges and universities across the world. Both are very popular degrees. Of course, they show some differences between them. This difference is mainly based on the countries that offer the degree. Some countries offer both degrees. Some offer only one, such as the US. JD is mainly considered as a first degree for those who wish to continue in the field of law. LLB is offered as a first degree as well as a second degree. This all depends on the country that offers the degree and the different options given by the educational institutes to follow a degree course.
What is LLB?
LLB is also considered the primary requisite for any budding lawyer. It is otherwise called as Bachelor of Laws or Legum Baccalaueus. It is a standard law program that originated in England. It is important to know that LLB is a basic qualification needed for the candidate to apply for LLM or the Masters of Laws.
University of Law, UK offers LLB
In many countries, LLB is considered as a scholarly program in which the students are given strenuous training in the practical aspects of applied law. According to the country, the duration of LLB can change. Traditionally, LLB is given in three years, in many countries. However, in some countries like Australia, you sometimes need a previous degree to follow LLB. Then, the duration is three years. But, if you are enrolling directly, you will have to spend four years.
What is JD?
JD is otherwise called as Juris Doctor. It is a law degree. It is offered in countries that follow common law. This particular course is very popular in the countries of the United States of America and Canada. However, it is not very popular in many of the other countries of the world. This course was introduced in other universities across the world only in the year 1997. Some universities in countries like Australia offer LLB as an undergraduate program and JD as a postgraduate program. However, Americans consider that JD is the primary qualification that any lawyer should possess in the beginning. Then the lawyer can go for specialization in a given subject. In the United States of America, one has to complete JD to get admission into LLM or the Masters of Law degree .Canada offers both LLB and JD.
Yale Law School offers JD.
In fact, it needs three years for the student to complete the degree of JD in the United States of America and Canada. It is important to know that the students studying to get the JD degree are not required to submit a dissertation before the completion of the course. It is not made mandatory even in the countries of United States of America and Canada where this course is popular.
What is the difference between LLB and JD?
• Both LLB and JD are considered as first degrees in the field of law. That is to say, in order to be eligible to follow a LLM course, you first should have completed your LLB or JD.
• LLB originated in England and is still the most popular choice for law degrees. JD originated in the US, and it is the only first law degree awarded in US. US no longer awards LLB.
• Some countries offer LLB while some other countries offer JD. Then, there are some countries such as Canada that offer both degrees.
• JD is a three year course. However, the duration of LLB can vary. This variation happens depending on the country. Let us first see about Australia. If it is offered as a first degree, that is directly offered after secondary education, then, the duration is four years. If it is a graduate degree program that requires prior law education, then the duration is three years. On the contrary to this practice, in countries like India, LLB is traditionally offered in three years.
• Both LLB and JD are sometimes offered as a postgraduate progamme. That is one should hold a non-law bachelor’s degree to be eligible to apply for LLB or JD. This situation is seen in Australia.
These are the major differences between the two degrees, namely, LLB and JD.
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