New taskforce formed to study Common Bar Course

PARLIAMENT | A new task force has been set up to study the Common Bar Course (CBC) and Common Bar Examination (CBE), Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M Kulasegaran told the Dewan Rakyat today.

He said the Legal Profession Qualifying Board (LPQB) formed the task force, and it will begin its eight-month study on Aug 1.

“The implementation of the CBC and CBE will improve the existing Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP).

"The CLP, which is a fully written examination, will be improved by taking into account the assessment component in the form of skills and practical training such as criminal litigation, advocacy, professional ethics, opinion writing and conference skills," he said.

The CLP, the passing of which provides admission to the Malaysian Bar, is ranked globally as one of the hardest examinations, as it has a high rate of failure, with a passing rate that averages between 10 and 20 percent.

It must be taken by selected local university graduates as well as those who graduated from foreign universities.

Last year, Kulasegaran denied that the CLP would be scrapped completely, adding that the Legal Profession Qualifying Board had formed a committee to study the implementation of the CBC and CBE.

He said this would align the current local system with international legal examinations.

Engagement sessions

Commenting further, Kulasegaran said the recently established task force will comprise experts from public and private higher education institutions as well as Bar representatives.

"Consultation sessions will be held with interested parties to obtain input in drafting an implementation plan to realise the CBC/CBE," he said.

He added that the LPQB had concluded a working visit to the United Kingdom from July 5 to 10 to study the Bar Training Course there.

"Engagement sessions were held with key and related institutions such as the Bar Standards Board, Solicitors Regulation Authority, Legal Services Board, University of Law, City Law School and Lincoln’s Inn to obtain insight from these experienced institutions in developing the CBC in Malaysia.

"Among the matters discussed were those related to the Bar Standards Board’s regulation of Bar Training Course providers such as the University of Law and City Law School.

"Bar Training Course providers also shared their experiences on how the course curriculum is conducted and assessments are made on students," he said.

Govt has no plans to abolish CLP exam, says Kula

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