Author Valeria Lux, under the direction of Emilie Poignon

My name is Valeria Lux, I am 22 years old and I am of Spanish and Austrian nationality. I am currently doing a 10-month internship at Lexwell, a firm specializing in business law between France and Spain, which began in July 2024.

I am simultaneously pursuing a Master's degree in Law in Barcelona to enter the legal profession, specializing in Economic Criminal Law and Compliance, at the Barcelona School of Management, affiliated with the Pompeu Fabra University.

Intern Capsule

During my studies, I developed a keen interest in the comparative study of European legal systems, as well as in the interaction between national law, international law, and European Union law, particularly with regard to business law. It is for this reason that I chose to combine my Spanish law degree with the Diploma in Legal Studies, which I obtained during my stay at Oxford University last year.

Bilingual in French and Spanish, and with a good command of German, I completed all my schooling at the French Lycée in Barcelona. When I discovered the internship opportunity at a French-speaking firm in Barcelona, ​​I didn't hesitate for a second to apply. This represents a unique opportunity for me to understand and put into practice the interaction between Spanish, French, and European Union law, all within the context of cross-border trade and investment relations between France and Spain.

As a student aspiring to become a lawyer in Spain, I have summarized below the paths to follow in France and Spain to become a lawyer. These paths proved to be very similar, but with significant differences.

In Spain, to become a lawyer, you need to:

  • A four-year university program to obtain a Law Degree (Grado en Derecho).
  • Obtain a Master's degree in Law and Solicitorship (Máster Universitario en Abogacía y Procura). This Master's program lasts one and a half years and includes various exams, the defense of a final Master's thesis, and a 4- to 6-month internship.
  • Pass the Bar Exam and then register with the bar association of your choice. The Bar Exam consists of two parts and lasts three hours.
    • The first part comprises fifty multiple-choice questions (MCQs) to be answered in two hours. These questions cover general legal topics.
    • The second part consists of twenty-five MCQs, specific to the chosen specialization. (Civil and commercial law, criminal law, administrative law and administrative litigation, as well as labor law.)

In France, the process unfolds as follows:

  • A five-year university program leading to a Master II in Law (reform effective January 1, 2025; previously, only a Master I was required to take the CRFPA exam).
  • Admission to a Regional Center for Professional Legal Training (CRFPA), of which there are 11 in France. Candidates are admitted after passing an entrance exam administered by the Institutes of Judicial Studies (IEJ).
    • The written exams consist of four papers, totaling thirteen hours.
      • Two papers are common to all candidates: a legal summary and a paper on contract law.
      • In addition, there are two papers on the candidate's chosen subject area (civil law, business law, labor law, criminal law, administrative law, international law, European law, and tax law), a practical case study, and a civil procedure exam. There are two oral exams, each lasting two and fifteen minutes. They include a major oral presentation and an English language exam.
      • The "grand oral" consists of a fifteen-minute presentation, followed by a thirty-minute interview with the jury, on a topic related to the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms. This allows the jury to assess the candidate's knowledge, legal background, argumentation skills, and oral expression.
  • The CRFPA training program lasts eighteen months, including six months of theoretical courses, six months of an individual educational project, and six months of an internship in a law firm.
  • Successful completion of a final exam is required to obtain the Certificate of Aptitude for the Legal Profession (CAPA). The new exam reform includes:
    • a 20-minute oral presentation on a case file in civil law, business law, labor law, criminal law, administrative law, international and European law, or tax law, at the candidate's choice.
    • A 40-minute oral examination: 20 minutes on a topic related to the status and ethics of lawyers and professional regulations, and 20 minutes on internship reports.
  • Once these examinations are passed, the trainee lawyer can register with the Bar Association of their choice.

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