Lawyers are the backbone of any justice system and Pakistan isn’t any different. Even the nation’s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah himself was a lawyer by profession; that alone shows how reputable this profession is.
However, this pathway isn’t as easy as it may seem. Not only does it need a lot of handwork, but also continued determination and the will to not give up. So, what is the right gateway to become a lawyer in Pakistan? What are the academic and professional struggles that an aspiring lawyer must keep in mind? Let’s find out.
Becoming a Lawyer: Key Steps
The Legal Practitioners and Bar Council Act of 1973 and Pakistan Legal Practitioners Rules of 1976 have outlined the proper criteria for becoming a practicing Pakistani advocate. We have listed below all the crucial steps of this procedure in chronological order for your convenience.
Step 1: Meeting the Educational Requirements
The first step, of course, is meeting the educational requirements like any other degree in the world. This includes finishing your Intermediate/A levels with any subject combination. However, there is a high chance that students with an interest in subjects like law, political sciences and social sciences will be able to grasp the legal concepts better.
Secondly, the most basic of educational requirements include an LLB degree from an HEC (Higher Education Commission) and PBC (Pakistan Bar Council) approved institute. In Pakistan, this degree is a 5-year programme and will require you to study all the basic fields of law. Here are some reputable institutes of Pakistan that you can consider an option for the 5-year LLB:
- University of Punjab
- Quaid-e-Azam University
- International Islamic University Islamabad
- Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS)
- University of Karachi
Step 2: Passing the Law Graduate Assessment Test (LAW-GAT)
After completing your LLB, the Pakistan Bar Council will also require you to pass the Law Graduate Assessment Test (LAW-GAT) to be considered eligible for practice. This exam is conducted by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to test your legal knowledge and understanding. A passing score on the exam is mandatory to move forward in your legal career.
What You Must Know About Law-GAT:
- The test is held multiple times a year and consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
- The topics in the exam can range from constitutional law, criminal law, civil law, jurisprudence and professional ethics.
- One must get at least 50% marks in the test to pass.
Step 3: Completing a Law Internship (Pupilage)
After passing the Law-Gat, you will have to undergo a six-month internship (pupilage) under a senior advocate with at least 10 years of experience. This is where things will start getting technical and real for you. But keep in mind that this corporate and court exposure is for your good; it will allow you to gain the on-field experience that will aid you in your career afterward.
Beneficial Skills that you will be Learning in Your Internship:
- Drafting legal documents
- Carrying out court proceedings and case management
- Client interaction and legal research criteria
- Practical exposure to the main fields of law: civil and criminal
Step 4: Joining Provincial Bar Council
Once you have the education and experience on board, you will then have to apply for a license from the relevant provincial bar council ( i.e., Punjab Bar Council, Sindh Bar Council, or Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council).
For this bar council license, you will have to submit your LLB degree, law-GAT result, internship completion certificate and character certificate (now you know why the above steps were so necessary).
Important Note: The Bar Council will be conducting an interview/exam to assess your legal knowledge and ethical understanding. Only after passing this interview stage, you will be getting the license.
Read More: How to Register a Company in Pakistan?
Step 5: Start Practicing as an Advocate
Once, you receive your license, you become legally eligible for practicing law in Pakistan. After this step, you can choose whatever field you like i.e. criminal law, corporate law, government law etc.
Step 6: Advance Your Career Through Higher Courts and Specialisation
Once you have worked for at least 2 years in district courts, you can apply for enrollment as an advocate in the high court or specialise in a specific area of law through an LLM degree (Master of Law). This shall allow you to deepen your knowledge of the domain you are good at.
In the long run, after 10 years of High Court practice, you can also qualify to become an Advocate of the Supreme Court upon approval by the Pakistan Bar Council.
Challenges Along the Way
Like any other field, Law has its own set of challenges. You will face an immense caseload and will have to handle multiple cases simultaneously. Pakistan’s legal system is also very complex and bureaucratic, so be prepared for that.
We are not here to scare you; we just want to ensure that you have the whole guideline beforehand so that you know what you are signing up for. Once you have lived through the difficult stages, it becomes a rewarding journey!
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