The New Bar Course, which will replace the Certificate in Legal Practice, will see assessments conducted mainly through computer-based tests alongside practical evaluations.
The NBC, which is expected to replace the CLP in 2028/2029, will require candidates to undergo two assessments, with most components conducted through a computer-based test, accompanied by practical evaluations.
This will mark a complete overhaul of the existing qualification system, under which law graduates aspiring to enter legal practice must sit for and pass five papers in an annual written examination.
The CLP was originally introduced in 1984 as a temporary measure to assist Malaysians who were unable to sit for the English Bar Finals examinations but wished to practise law locally.
The Legal Profession Qualifying Board (LPQB) has frequently faced criticism over the system, which has seen only about 20% of an estimated 1,000 candidates pass the examination each year.
According to an announcement on the LPQB website, the first component of the assessment, known as the Conversion Course (CC), will be for foreign law graduates who need to complete the NBC to obtain a practising certificate.
“This will be a three-month conversion course conducted through a self-study online programme using a learning management system to be developed by the LPQB and supported by course providers accredited by the board and the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).
“The subjects covered in this module will include the Malaysian legal system, constitutional law, criminal law and evidence, contract law and torts, company law, and land law.
“The assessment will be conducted through computer-based tests comprising multiple-choice questions and extended multiple-choice questions,” the board said.
The second component will be the six-month Legal Practice Post-Graduate Certificate (LPPC) programme, which will be for local and foreign private university law graduates whose degrees do not incorporate a CLP module, unlike those offered by local public universities.
The first part of the assessment will be an objective structured performance assessment to evaluate practical competencies such as advocacy, communication, client interaction and the application of professional judgment, the board said.
The second component will involve computer-based short-essay questions to assess legal reasoning, understanding of substantive law and the accuracy of analysis through written responses.
The third component will also involve computer-based assessments using multiple-choice and extended multiple-choice questions to assess legal reasoning, understanding of substantive law and accuracy of analysis.
NBC to be made mandatory?
The board did not state whether candidates would be required to attend NBC courses before they are allowed to sit for the assessment examinations.
Under the current CLP system, law graduates are free to attend preparatory courses offered by local universities or opt for self-study with private tutors before sitting for the annual examination.
The LPQB said the NBC task force, comprising experts from public and private universities as well as the Malaysian Bar, began a 12-month study on May 1 to develop an operational framework to ensure the smooth implementation of the NBC.
“All questions can only be answered after the study is completed. The board and task force are currently actively making preparations to implement the NBC, including developing detailed curricula for each module under the CC and LPPC programmes,” it said.
The task force is also establishing eligibility criteria for institutions seeking approval to become LPPC programme providers. - FMT
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.