Bachelor of Laws graduates can become Lawyers without experience, which is one of the notable new contents in Decision 770/QD-TTg approving the Charter of the Vietnam Bar Association, issued on June 5, 2020.
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Law graduates can become Lawyers without experience - Illustrative image
To be specific, previously, according to the Statute of the Vietnam Bar Association promulgated attached with Decision 1004/QD-BNV dated August 31, 2010, by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Vietnamese citizens with good moral character, had or are working in legal affairs in state agencies, political organizations, socio-political organizations, socio-political-professional organizations, socio-professional organizations, social organizations, economic organizations, cultural organizations, educational institutions, people's armed units for a period of three years or more, who approve the Association's Statute, could join the Association.
However, under Article 7 of the Statute of the Vietnam Bar Association, promulgated with Decision 770/QD-TTg, provisions on the criteria for members of the Vietnam Bar Association have changed. From June 5, 2020, Vietnamese citizens with civil act capacity, good moral character, a law bachelor's degree or higher, or a bachelor's degree in another field but with at least three years of legal work experience, who approve of the Association's Statute, could join the Association.
Thus, it can be seen that, according to the 2020 Statute of the Vietnam Bar Association, the requirement for three years of legal work experience is only applicable to those with a bachelor's degree in another field, whereas those with a law bachelor's degree do not need this experience. From June 5, 2020, fresh law graduates can also join the Vietnam Bar Association without needing any legal work experience.
Additionally, continuing the content from the 2010 Statute, the 2020 Statute of the Vietnam Bar Association also stipulates that in cases where Vietnamese citizens do not meet or fully meet the criteria to become official members, but approve of the Association's Statute, contribute to the Association, and voluntarily apply to join the Association, they may be recognized as honorary members of the Association.
Honorary members enjoy the same rights and obligations as official members, except for voting on Association matters and the right to elect, stand for election, and nominate for leadership positions and the Inspection Committee of the Association.
Nguyen Trinh
