A Kent University LLB graduate has been denied access to the Canadian Bar – which normally recognises UK law degrees – because he got a third. The Canadian authorities have told Juron Grant-Kinnear that the qualification is effectively meaningless to them because of his "poor overall academic performance".
Grant-Kinnear got an average mark of 41.6% in his degree, with marks between 38% and 49% in his eight degree modules – meaning he almost didn't even get a third. He will now have to complete another law degree at a Canadian university in order to practise in the country.
To put Grant-Kinnear's degree result into perspective, of 444 English pupil barristers in 2010/11, only one lucky person had a third-class degree. There are, however, some notable practising barristers and judges with thirds, including Court of Appeal judge Mr Justice Andrew McFarlane. Oh, and Carol Vorderman also got a third. Perhaps that's why Grant-Kinnear feels hard done by...
