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Why law graduates are overwhelming Iraq's job market

As public and private universities in Iraq are graduating significantly more lawyers than in the past, many lawyers cannot find jobs and the quality of the legal sector has declined.
Iraqi students attend their graduation ceremony at Technical University of Baghdad on June 30, 2012 to celebrate receiving their degrees for the first time since the US-led war on Iraq in 2003. The ceremonies were officially stopped by authorities due to the security issues after several attacks and explosions took place at the university since the ousting of former president, Saddam Hussein in 2003. AFP PHOTO/AHMAD AL-RUBAYE        (Photo credit should read AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP/GettyImages)
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The number of students admitted to Iraqi law schools has soared in recent years, flooding the market with job-hungry graduates. The intense competition forces them to work for a fraction of customary charges — if they can find work at all.

According to the Student Guide for Central Admission in Iraqi Universities for the 2015-16 academic year, there are 19 public law programs. Meanwhile, the admissions guide for private universities shows 29 accredited faculties.

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