Double Masters in Lawyering

Law 34/2006, of October 30, establishes a new procedure to obtain the professional title of lawyer in Spain. Law graduates must meet two key requirements in order to practice law:

1. Complete the Masters in Access to Law, including the required external internships to finish the program.

2. Pass the state examination for Access to the Legal Profession and Legal Practice, administered by the Ministries of Justice and Education.

The new law affects all those who obtained a law degree after October 31, 2011, and wish to practice law in Spain. From this law onward, holding only a law degree will no longer be sufficient.

For law graduates prior to October 31, 2011, the following scenarios apply:

1. Enrolled by October 31, 2011: If graduates were already registered with a bar association on the date the law came into force (October 31, 2011), the new law does not apply to them.

2. Not enrolled on the date of entry into force: Those who were not registered on that date but had been registered for at least one year must re-register in order to practice as lawyers.

3. Unregistered degree holders: Graduates who do not fall into any of the above categories and obtained their degree before October 31, 2011, must have registered before October 31, 2013, to avoid being subject to the new system.

In addition, those holding a foreign law degree recognized before October 31, 2011, are not subject to the new law but must register within a maximum of two years from the recognition date.

Masters in Access to Law can be offered by both public and private universities that meet the requirements of the framework for official university master’s degrees. They can also be offered by legal practice schools created by bar associations and accredited by the General Council of Spanish Lawyers.

To complete the Masters in Access to Law, candidates must complete a 60 ECTS curriculum covering the content established by Law 34/2006, and complete a 30 ECTS period of external internships. Both requirements are essential and must be completed prior to sitting for the professional qualification exam.

The 60-credit program must be taught by a faculty composed of both university professors and practicing lawyers. Neither group may exceed 60% of the faculty nor be below 40%, ensuring a balanced and comprehensive education.

The Ministry of Justice provides an official registry of accredited institutions and courses in accordance with the regulations of Law 34/2006, of October 30. This registry allows you to verify whether a course related to access to the legal profession and legal practice is officially recognized and meets the requirements for practicing the profession.

A key factor when choosing an institution for the Masters in Access to Law is the quality of teaching, the prestige and professional experience of the faculty, as well as the academic content of the program. The institution’s agreements with law firms and companies where students can complete professional internships should also be considered. Additionally, it is advisable to inquire about scholarships and financing options offered by each institution to facilitate access to the master’s program.

The Masters in Access to Law must provide the specific training established in Law 34/2006, preparing students to face the challenges of practicing law and collaborating with the administration of justice, ensuring quality advice and effective judicial protection for citizens.

This master’s program must provide all the necessary training to pass the access exam, which includes:

• Applying specific knowledge to the changing realities faced by lawyers.
• Understanding the deontological duties and rights related to practicing law.
• Comprehending legal procedures and integrating the defense of clients’ rights within national and international judicial systems, choosing the appropriate strategy.
• Offering alternatives to litigation, identifying conflicts of interest, and applying techniques to resolve them.
• Developing skills to work in teams, manage resources in corporate environments, and enhance professional practice.
• Improving interpersonal skills and learning to present and argue legal facts effectively, both orally and in writing.

The 30 ECTS of practical training in the Masters in Access to Law aim to provide students with real professional experience. This allows students to truly understand how the practice of law is conducted within different institutions and law firms.

Internships are carried out in law firms or entities related to legal practice. During these internships, students develop key interpersonal skills and competencies that complement the legal knowledge acquired during the program.

Non-presential (online) master’s programs allow you to complete theoretical training without attending classes in person, enabling you to organize your time and combine studies with professional activities. This is ideal for those seeking flexibility.

The in-person format allows you to gain practical experience and develop essential communication skills for practicing law. Additionally, it helps expand your professional network through increased interaction with classmates and professors, opening doors to future career opportunities.

No, Spanish regulations require a Law degree and the corresponding Master’s training before you are eligible to take the Exam for the Legal Profession and Legal Practice. The only exceptions apply to specific cases, such as lawyers already qualified abroad or individuals covered by former transitional regimes, which do not apply to current Law graduates.

The access exam consists of two sections:

• 50 questions on subjects common to the practice of law.
• 25 questions on specialized subjects to be chosen from the following legal areas: civil and commercial, criminal, administrative and contentious-administrative, and labor law. Additionally, there are 6 reserve questions for the common subjects section and 2 per specialized subject in the specialized section.

The questionnaire is scored on a scale of 0 to 75 points. Each correct answer earns 1 point, each incorrect answer deducts 0.33 points, and unanswered questions earn 0 points. The final score is calculated by adding the points for correct answers and subtracting the points for incorrect answers.

The final grade for the access exam will be “pass” or “fail” and is calculated using a weighted average. 70% of the final grade is based on the exam evaluation, while the remaining 30% comes from the grade obtained in the Master’s in Access to the Legal Profession and Legal Practice.

For more information, the Ministry of Justice website provides a practical guide with examples of pilot tests.

Each candidate will receive their final grade through the Ministry of Justice.

Generally, there is a single annual session of the access exam in Spain. Occasionally, a second extraordinary session has been held.