Lawyers back New Bar Course, say it will raise standards

The mandatory six-month New Bar Course (NBC), slated to commence in 2028, aims to ensure aspiring lawyers attain the necessary competency and professional standards prior to embarking on their pupillage, according to senior lawyers. Current aspirants can opt for the Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP) examination following preparatory courses or self-study.

However, annual examiner reports have repeatedly highlighted inadequate preparation, inadequate comprehension of examination queries, and insufficient practical exposure among candidates, issues that the NBC intends to rectify.

Former Bar Council president Salim Bashir endorsed the proposed reform, asserting that a structured professional training program could enhance CLP pass rates without compromising the standards requisite for legal profession entry. "The NBC will furnish candidates with practical assessments, syllabus, and training to meet the legal profession's contemporary demands," he informed FMT.

The current CLP framework, which does not necessitate preparatory courses, has proven insufficient, as evidenced by pass rates persisting at between 19% and 23% over recent years.

Deputy Law Minister M Kulasegaran disclosed that under the NBC, candidates will be obligated to undertake a six-month legal practice post-graduate certificate (LPPC) course provided by Legal Profession Qualifying Board (LPQB)-accredited institutions before being permitted to sit for the examination. Non-qualifying law degree holders from LPQB-recognized foreign institutions would initially need to complete a three-month conversion course via self-study using an online learning platform developed by the board.

Bar Council member Kokila Vaani Vadiveloo emphasized that CLP examiners' reports have pinpointed weaknesses in candidates' abilities to identify legal issues, apply legal principles to facts, and substantiate their answers with relevant statutory provisions and case laws. Practical training, she argued, represents the most valuable aspect of the proposed reform.

A newly qualified lawyer may grasp legal principles surrounding an injunction but might still falter in drafting an affidavit, comprehending procedural requirements, advising clients on associated risks, or effectively presenting an application in court. Kokila contended that the compulsory course would tackle these shortcomings through structured instruction, regular assessments, mock examinations, and individualized feedback.

Her objective is to assist more candidates in meeting the required standards rather than reducing standards to boost pass rates.