The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday announced that it is reducing the coverage and duration of the 2020/2021 Bar Examinations amid the outbreak of COVID-19.
The bar exams will now be held on January 23 and 25, shorter than the initial four-day testing dates.
It will also include four sets of examinations, which the SC said will encompass all the usual eight subjects taken by examinees. The sets are named as:
1. The Law pertaining to the State and Its Relationship with Its Citizens
2. Criminal Law
3. The Law Pertaining to Private Personal and Commercial Relations
4. Procedure and Professional Ethics
The SC attributed the decision to the outbreak of the new Omicron variant, as well as the effects of Typhoon Odette.
"The Court noted that the bar examinees for this coming bar have reviewed far longer than all the other batches taking the bar exams under very difficult situations," it also said in a statement.
According to the SC, the decision is "pro hac vice," meaning it will only apply for this occasion.
"These changes pro hac vice seek to meet the demand for new lawyers amid the disasters plaguing the country," it said.
It also acknowledged that the country has not produced a new lawyer since the pandemic began, following the delay of the previous bar exams.
"But while the Bar Examinations may no longer be postponed, it can be held in a way that is more humane. With these changes, the Court strikes that balance."
