APPLICATIONS FOR ENROLMENT

The first legal task facing the Law School graduate is the quest to transform him/herself into an Attorney-at-Law duly enrolled and admitted pursuant to the Legal Profession Act (1971) to practise in the Courts of the Island of Jamaica.

This document will outline the procedures to be followed to achieve this goal.

From the outset it should be recognized that there are two (2) separate stages of the proceedings therefore requiring the preparation and presentation of two (2) distinct sets of documents.

The Proceedings

1. The General Legal Council
2. The Court

The Legislative Requirement

Section 6 of the Legal Profession Act (1971) outlines the qualification for enrolment;

These criterion indicate that the applicant must be:

1. Aged 21 and over;
2. Not an alien;
3. Of good character, and also at the discretion of council;
4. Qualified to practice law in any country having a analogous system of law and the applicants’ qualifications are such to make him/her eligible for enrolment.

GENERAL LEGAL COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

1. Letter of Application for Enrolment and Admission…original plus one (1) copy (Document #1)
2. A voluntary declaration of the applicant…original plus one (1) copy (Document #2).
   • This document summarizes the applicant’s life/career for all his/her years since leaving high school up to the present time and shall include the relevant supporting documents (i.e., recommendations from former employers, academic qualifications etc.) duly exhibited using exhibit slips Document #4.  
   • If applicable, the applicant is required to exhibit proof of having been self-employed.
3. A voluntary declaration of an Attorney-at-Law in good standing who has been in practice for at least five years (not necessarily in Jamaica) and who has known the applicant for at least five (5) years; (Document #2).
   • It is essential for the applicant to contact the General Legal Council (secretary@generallegalcouncil.org) to confirm whether the Attorney is in good standing.
4. If the applicant does not know an Attorney who meets the above criteria, the applicant may use an Attorney from the Law School which he/she attended, who has known the applicant for at least two (2) years.
5. If the applicant does not know any Attorneys in Jamaica and intends to seek a declaration from an Attorney who practises in another jurisdiction, that application must be accompanied by the Attorney’s current Certificate of Good Standing from the jurisdiction where he/she practises.
6. A voluntary declaration from some other person of stature who has known the applicant for at least five (5) years (e.g., Justice of the Peace, Minister of Religion, School Principal, University Lecturer, Medical Doctor); (Document #3)
   • The declarant should state the capacity in which her/she has known the applicant (i.e., teacher, doctor, pastor, family friend etc.)

6. Copies of the applicant’s academic/professional or other educational achievements e.g. Bachelor of Laws Degree and any other University degree.
7. A copy of the Applicant’s Legal Education Certificate issued by a law school affiliated to the Council of Legal Education.
8. The original of the Certificate of Good Conduct issued by a law school affiliated to the Council of Legal Education.
9. Copy of pages 2 and 3 of the applicant’s passport.
10. One (1) copy of the applicant’s birth certificate verifying his/her date of birth.
11. One (1) passport size picture.
12. If the applicant is/or has been previously employed, a letter from the applicant’s employer(s) attesting to the fact that the applicant was employed.
13. A certificate of Good Standing from the relevant body in the jurisdiction if the applicant is admitted to practice in another jurisdiction.
14. A valid Police Record.

All documents apart from the declarations provided by the declarants, must be signed by the same Justice of the Peace.

• Document #1
• Document #2
• Document #3
• Document #4