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EXHIBIT 11
[John Hancock Life Insurance Company Letterhead]
December 5, 2000
John Hancock Variable Series Trust I
John Hancock Place
P.O. Box 111
Boston, MA 02117
Trustees:
This opinion is given in connection with the filing by John Hancock
Variable Series Trust I, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Trust") of its
Registration Statement on Form N-14 ("Registration Statement") under the
Securities Act of 1933, relating to an indefinite amount of shares of beneficial
interest in its International Opportunities Fund.
I have examined the Trust's Declaration of Trust, its By-Laws, the
Registration Statement, and such other records, certificates, documents and
statutes that I have deemed relevant in order to render the opinion expressed
herein.
Based on such examination, I am of the opinion that:
1. The Trust is a business trust duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
2. The shares offered for sale by the Trust, when issued in the manner
contemplated by the Registration Statement, will be legally issued,
fully-paid and non-assessable.
I consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and to the use of my name in the Statement of Additional Information
incorporated by reference into the Prospectus comprising a part of the
Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Ronald J. Bocage
Ronald J. Bocage
Vice President and Counsel
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