What Is a Law Degree in Jamaica?
Students who wish to practice law in Jamaica must first complete a first year degree (Bachelor's Degree) in law from a university. Then they must complete further training to receive the Certificate of Legal Education from a law school in Jamaica or one of the nearby islands.
Law Higher Education in Jamaica
A Bachelor of Laws degree in Jamaica requires three years for fulltime students and four years for part-time students. This is followed by law school training, which takes two years for those who have the undergraduate degree earned in Jamaica. Students who have already been admitted to practice Common Law in another country can apply to a six month programme to earn the Certificate of Legal Education to practice in Jamaica.
The cost for law school and undergraduate law training will vary depending on the university chosen. Earning a law degree in Jamaica will open the door to a legal career in Jamaica and the surrounding Caribbean islands. Because Jamaica's law training is in common law, it can also provide opportunities to practice in England and other European countries, often with minimal additional training or certification.
The academic year in Jamaica for law students is broken into three terms. The first runs from September through December and spans 14 weeks. The second runs from January through March and runs 11 weeks. The third runs from April through May and runs seven weeks. Undergraduate degree program have two semesters, running from August through December and January through May, and a summer session from May through July.
Studying in Jamaica gives the student the chance to study law on a tropical island. Because the legal education is in Common Law, it also provides flexible employment opportunities after graduation. Jamaica's law degree programs are still in their infancy, but they are excellent opportunities and provide their students with a quality education.