Admission of students is dealt with in section 35 of the Act. Applications for admission are considered by the Education Committee. Sections 35 (1) & (2) of the Act state:
35 (1) The evaluation of all matters relating to the academic qualifications, character and fitness to practice of an applicant, and the evaluation of applications for enrollment as a member or for admission as a student, is under the control of an Education Committee which the Benchers shall establish and maintain.
(2) The Education Committee shall consider all matters relating to academic qualifications, character and fitness to practice of an applicant for enrollment as a member or for admission as a student and shall prescribe the contents of bar admission examinations and other special examinations or educational requirements.
The Education Committee also prescribes the period of Articles of Clerkship, generally 12 months, to be served by an applicant.
The Rules provide more detail regarding the requirements for an applicant applying for admission as a student with the Society. Rule 6.03 states:
6.03 (1) The Education Committee may approve the admission of a person as a student where that person proves to the Education Committee’s satisfaction and in accordance with the rules that the person:
(a) is of good character and reputation; and
(b) (i) is receiving or has received a degree in common law, in an approved program, from a university in Canada recognized by the Education Committee; or
(ii) has received a Certificate of Qualification from the National Committee on Accreditation.
(c) has completed the required application forms and provided all documentation and information required by the Education Committee;
(d) has applied for admission as a student and provided the required application forms, including:
(i) an application for admission as a student in form 6.03A
(ii) application for enrollment as a student (Applicant’s Questionnaire) in form 6.03B
(iii) two completed sponsor’s questionnaires in form 6.03C; and
(iv) executed Articles of Clerkship as required by rule 6.05A
(e) has, where required by the Act, Rules or the Education Committee, bound himself or herself to Articles of Clerkship with a member in accordance with these Rules;
(f) has paid such admission fees as may be fixed from time to time by Benchers;
(g) has satisfied any other requirements of the Education Committee.
(Amended: Rule 6.03(1)(b) Summer Term Convocation, June 7, 2013)
(2) The Education Committee may approve the enrollment of a person admitted as a student under rule 6.03(1) where the person proves to the Education Committee’s satisfaction and in accordance with the rules that the person:
(a) continues to be of good character and reputation;
(b) is 19 years of age or over;
(c) has served Articles of Clerkship for a period totaling at least one year or such other period prescribed by the Education Committee;
(d) has attended and successfully completed the Bar Admission Course and the examinations as prescribed by the Education Committee;
(e) has completed the required application forms and provided all documentation and information required by the Education Committee; and
(f) has satisfied any other requirements of the Education Committee.
(Amended: Rule 6.03(1&2) Summer Term Convocation, June 9, 2007)
(3) An applicant for admission as a student shall satisfy the national requirement approved by the Task Force on the Canadian Common Law Degree, as revised from time to time.
(Amended: Rule 6.03(3) Summer Term Convocation, June 7, 2013, and effective January 2015)
(Repealed: Rule 6.03(4)(5)&(6) Summer Term Convocation June 7, 2013, and effective January 2015)