3-time flunkers should hurdle refresher Bar courses – SC

The Supreme Court has approved an online refresher course for the law graduates who failed thrice in the previous bar examinations, but they must show satisfactory results if they want to qualify for this year’s Bar tests.

In a resolution, the high court said that for online classes to be valid as a refresher course, they “shall be conducted synchronously through video conferencing.”

The high court said only law schools authorized to offer refresher courses under valid special government permits issued by the Legal Education Board were qualified to offer online fourth year and pre-bar review courses.

Nonetheless, the traditional on-site classes are still allowed “subject to hygiene requirements.”

Section 16 of the Rules of Court disqualifies those who have failed the Bar examinations thrice from taking it again unless they undergo refresher courses.

Under the rules, three-time bar flunkers also have to show to the satisfaction of the Court they have enrolled in and passed regular fourth year review classes as well as attended pre-bar review courses in a recognized law school.

The subjects covered in the refresher courses are reviews on political/constitutional law, labor law, civil law, taxation, commercial law, criminal law and remedial law.

“The objective of requiring these refresher courses is to make sure those who previously failed the Bar examinations undertake the necessary steps to prepare before taking it again,” the high court said.

“They are required to attend review classes from a recognized law school to receive quality instruction that will increase their chances of passing.”

As previously announced, the high court will conduct online the Bar examinations for 2020 and 2021 law graduates on November 7, 14, 21 and 28 this year. The 2020 Bar examinations were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The high court also announced that the holding of the Bar examinations will be held not only in Manila but also in Cebu City. The high court has yet to decide if more venues for the examinations will be allowed.