Full CLP passes drop to lowest in recent years
Only 158, or 19%, of the 826 candidates obtained full passes this year.
The legal profession in Malaysia has seen a concerning decline in the number of candidates achieving full passes in the Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP) examination. Results from the 2026 CLP sitting, which recently concluded, reveal that only 19% of the 826 candidates passed the exam, marking the lowest percentage in recent years.
Out of the 158 candidates who secured full passes, the remaining 129 received conditional passes, allowing them three attempts to pass the remaining subject. This downward trend signifies the fourth consecutive year of decline in full passes, with figures dropping from 30% in 2024 to the lowest 19% in 2026.
The latest figures represent a worrying pattern: in 2025, 189 candidates secured full passes, a 21% success rate; in 2024, 332 candidates (30%) passed; and in 2023, 439 students (34%) achieved full passes. Back in 2022, the pass rate stood at a notable 30%.
The declining trend is attributed to several factors, particularly the stringent rules governing repeat examinations. Candidates who fail must wait a maximum of five years to retake the CLP, a condition that has limited many law graduates from entering practice. The Malaysian Bar has long criticized the CLP for its low pass rates and the restrictive resit policies.
In a bid to overhaul the current qualification system, the Bar Council has announced plans to replace the CLP with the New Bar Course (NBC) beginning in 2028. The NBC will replace the current five-written-paper system with a more modern approach, featuring computer-based testing alongside practical evaluations. This change aims to align the legal profession with contemporary professional standards and streamline the path to practice for law graduates.
The Malaysian Bar has advocated for a unified examination system for all law graduates, aiming to standardize entry requirements. Currently, graduates from public universities, the government-linked Multimedia University, and certain recognized foreign institutions are exempted from the CLP before commencing pupillage.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 1 other outlet
- Full CLP passes drop to lowest in recent years freemalaysiatoday.com
