SC: Bar exams shortened to two days, coverage also reduced

The Supreme Court decided to shorten the Bar Examination and reduce its coverage following concerns on the Omicron coronavirus variant and the effects of Typhoon Odette.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the SC said that upon the recommendation of the Bar chairperson, it resolved to reduce the coverage and shorten the duration of the 2020/21 Bar Examinations pro hac vice.

"The Court noted that the Bar examinees for this coming Bar has reviewed for longer than all the other batches taking the Bar exams under very difficult conditions," the SC said.

"Per the Court En Banc's January 4, 2022 Resolution, the examinations with the revised coverage will be held on January 23, 2022, Sunday; and on January 25, 2022, Monday," it added.

The Bar chairperson is Associate Justice Marvic Leonen. The Bar exams was supposed to take place for four Sundays starting January 16, 2022.

Bar examinees will take four sets of examinations, encompassing the usual eight subjects: 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; and 4. Procedure and Professional Ethics.

Leonen advised examinees to focus on the basics of the topics listed as coverage of the exam.

Bar Bulletin No. 31. Focus ONLY on the basics of the topic listed.

You can do this.#BestBarEver2020_21 https://t.co/5TZoXwXcGW

— Marvic Leonen — blue check (@marvicleonen) January 4, 2022

According to the SC, all examinees are advised to undergo self-quarantine beginning January 9 or at least two weeks before the exams.

These adjustments seek to meet the demand for new lawyers amid the disasters plaguing the country. The SC said the Philippines has not produced new lawyers since the pandemic started in March 2020. — RSJ, GMA News