Talking About Your Education and Licensing
Objectives
- Describe your legal education
- Explain bar admission and notary licensing in Costa Rica
- Use the past simple for milestones
Explanation
Use the past simple for finished milestones: 'I graduated in 2018.' In Costa Rica, lawyers are admitted to the Colegio de Abogados y Abogadas; you can say 'I am a member of the Costa Rican Bar Association.' Notaries must also be authorised by the Dirección Nacional de Notariado. Explain this clearly to foreign clients, because in the US a notary public is usually not a lawyer.
law degree
The university qualification in law (Licenciatura en Derecho).
“I earned my law degree from the University of Costa Rica.”
bar association
The professional body that admits and regulates lawyers.
“She joined the bar association in 2015.”
to be admitted
To be officially accepted to practise law.
“He was admitted to practise in 2019.”
postgraduate
Studies after a first university degree.
“I have a postgraduate degree in notarial law.”
to be licensed
To have official permission to perform a professional activity.
“Notaries must be licensed by the national notary authority.”