The Experience

Most of the world operates under a civil law system. Only the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and a few other countries follow the common-law principles that were originally developed in England and adopted in the United States during the colonial period.

The unique dual-degree program between the Nova Southeastern University (NSU) Law Center and the University of Barcelona Faculty of Law (UB) was initiated with an official signing in Barcelona on October 19, 2001. The pact resulted in the partnership of a highly technological and innovative school with one of the oldest universities in the western world, founded in 1450, full of rich tradition and culture.

NSU Law students attend UB for one semester during their second year to study civil law. Following graduation from NSU, students return to Spain for a full year in Barcelona. After completing the program and meeting each nation’s admission requirements (the Bar in the U.S.), students will also be awarded a Spanish Law Degree (Licenciatura en Derecho).

Courses at either university count toward their home school degree. In addition, optional internships at Spanish law firms will enhance the student’s classroom lectures with practical experience. Barcelona is a thriving cosmopolitan city offering culture, unique architecture, history and business.

Program Opportunities

With the advent of this unique program, a select number of students are afforded the opportunity to study the common law system in the United States, as well as the civil law system of Spain. On successful completion of the program and the appropriate bar requirements, students can qualify for admission to the bar in both Spain and the United States. As lawyers, dual-degree graduates will have an opportunity to practice transactional law in the European Union, to be admitted on motion in most Latin American jurisdictions, and to practice in the United States and Spain.

The New World Order

"The Rule of Law is the foundation on which rests the peaceful and prosperous development of the world. The world is a much smaller place and business people are taking their businesses everywhere around the globe. Major law firms in the United States and elsewhere have made a commitment to 'follow their clients.' Their motto is, 'wherever their clients go so too will the firm.' There is an emerging need for lawyers to be multi-lingual and licensed in multiple jurisdictions.