The Different Types of Lawyers in Sri Lanka

You may be wondering what type of lawyer you should become.
That’s a great question! Lawyers in Sri Lanka can generally be divided into two categories: private counsel and government lawyers. Private attorneys work for clients who can afford to hire them, while government lawyers work for the state, and many of them are part of the Attorney General’s Department.

So which one is right for you? It depends on your interests and what you want to do with your law degree. Keep reading to learn more about each type of lawyer and see which one might be a good fit for you.

What Is the Legal System in Sri Lanka?

So what is the legal system in Sri Lanka? Well, the legal system in Sri Lanka is based on English common law. This means that the legal system is based on case law, which is the law that is developed through the decisions of courts.
This is different from some countries, where the legal system is based on statutes, or laws that have been specifically written down. Sri Lanka’s legal system is also based on Roman-Dutch law, which is a mix of Roman law and Dutch civil law.
This all might sound a bit confusing, but don’t worry—we’ll go over all of this in more detail later.

Become a Lawyer in Sri Lanka

How Long Does It Take to Become a Lawyer?

So, you want to be a lawyer in Sri Lanka? It’s not as easy as you think. There are five options to be a lawyer.
Passing the A/L exam with high marks and entering the law faculty.
Passing Law College Entrance exam and Entering Law College in Sri Lanka
After passing LLB Entrance exam and doing LLB degree at the open university in Sri Lanka
Doing LLB degree at Kotelawala Defence University
Getting an LLB from a foreign university in Sri Lanka
First of all, you need to complete a law degree from a recognized university, except for those students who pass the Law Entrance Exam. This normally takes four years of full-time or part-time study.
Once you’ve graduated and passed the final year exam of law college, you need to learn as an apprentice under the guidance of a practicing lawyer for six months. After that, you are to be enrolled by the supreme court of Sri Lanka. Only then can you call yourself an attorney at law and start practicing law.
The whole process can take up to five years, so be patient! It’s definitely worth it in the end.

What Are the Different Types of Lawyers in Sri Lanka?

So, you want to be a lawyer in Sri Lanka? Well, there are a few different types of lawyers you can choose from.
First, there’s the private counsel. They specialize in various laws. Some are listed here.
Criminal Law
Divorce Law
Land Law
Labor Law
Contact Law
Constitutional Law
They work for private companies and individuals and provide legal advice and representation in court.

the Different Types of Lawyers in Sri Lanka

What Do Lawyers in Sri Lanka Do?

So, what do lawyers in Sri Lanka do?
Private counsels can work for individuals or businesses, and they offer legal advice and representation in court. Government lawyers work for the Attorney General’s Department and provide legal representation to the government in both civil and criminal proceedings.

What Is the Average Salary of a Lawyer in Sri Lanka?

Let’s talk about money for a second.
What’s the average salary of a lawyer in Sri Lanka? Well, it depends on what type of lawyer you are. Private counsel earns more than those who work for the government. But no matter what type of lawyer you are, you can expect to make a good living.
In fact, lawyers in Sri Lanka are some of the highest-paid professionals in the country. So if you’re thinking of becoming a lawyer, you can be assured that you’ll be able to provide for yourself and your family.

Average Salary of a Lawyer in Sri Lanka

How Many Lawyers Are in Sri Lanka?

There are a lot of lawyers in Sri Lanka. How many, you ask? Well, according to the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, there are over 25,000 registered attorneys-at-law in the country. That’s a lot of lawyers!
So what do all these lawyers do? Well, they work in a variety of ways. No matter what their role is, though, these lawyers play an important part in Sri Lankan society.

Lawyers - Attorneys-at-Law

Lawyers in Sri Lanka are called Attorneys-at-Law. The Supreme Court was permitted by Section 17 of the Charter of 1833 to accept and enroll as Advocates and Proctors, individuals of good repute and competent knowledge and ability upon examination by one or more of the Supreme Court’s justices, in 1833. This was done in order to ensure that there were enough lawyers to work in the British Colonial administration’s court system. There were no official classes held at the time to provide legal education. The system at the time required that the apprentice serve an apprenticeship under a practicing lawyer and pass specific tests conducted by Supreme Court Judges in order to convince the Judges that the apprentice had learned adequate legal knowledge to practice law.

How to work as a lawyer in Sri Lanka

When an ordinary person thinks of a lawyer, he or she brings to mind a picture of a black-gowned person examining a witness in a court . And it’s true that many lawyers spend much of their working hours doing this. However, this does not cover the overall picture of the legal profession. A person who qualifies as a lawyer has a variety of choices.
One alternative is to start working as a counselor. This means appearing in court on a regular basis. It also necessitates extensive planning ahead of time. The lawyer must study the case record or brief thoroughly and research all points of law arising in the case with a view to supporting the position he or she will take in court.
The junior lawyer beginning out on this Path will normally work in the Chambers or offices of a senior lawyer for a period of time, during which time he will be guided and provided work by his senior.
A lawyer can work as a  private counsel or for the government. Those working for the state are part of the Attorney General’s Department. They only represent the government. As a result, they represent the government when it sues or is sued, and they also prosecute criminal cases on its behalf.

Conclusion

When it comes to looking for a lawyer in Sri Lanka, it can be tough to know where to start. There are a variety of different types of lawyers, and each one has their own area of expertise.
Before you start looking for a lawyer, it’s important to understand the different types of lawyers and what they do. This will help you find the right lawyer for your needs and make sure you’re getting the best possible advice.
Need more information? Contact us today for a free consultation!

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