QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 7662)
RA 7662 is titled the “Legal Education Reform Act of 1993” and was approved on December 23, 1993.
To uplift legal education standards to prepare law students for advocacy, counseling, problem-solving, and decision-making; to infuse legal ethics and the nobility/dignity of the profession; and to develop socially-committed lawyers with integrity and competence, including reforms such as proper selection, quality maintenance among law schools, legal apprenticeship, and continuing legal education.
They include: (1) preparing students for the practice of law; (2) increasing awareness of the needs of the poor, deprived and oppressed; (3) training persons for leadership; and (4) promoting and advancing justice and improving the administration of justice, legal system and legal institutions in light of historical and contemporary development of law in the Philippines and other countries.
They include imparting broad legal knowledge and legal institutions; enhancing legal research abilities; preparing for advocacy/counseling/problem-solving/decision-making; developing competence for gainful employment and as foundation for further training; inculcating ethics and responsibilities; and producing lawyers who pursue the lofty goals of the profession and adhere to ethical norms.
It is created to carry out the purposes of RA 7662 and is attached solely for budgetary purposes and administrative support to the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DepEd, now under the Department of Education).
A Chairman (preferably a former Supreme Court or Court of Appeals justice) and regular members: (1) representative of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP); (2) representative of the Philippine Association of Law Schools (PALS); (3) representative of the Philippine Association of Law Professors (PALP); (4) representative from active law practitioners; and (5) representative from the law students’ sector. The Secretary of DepEd, or representative, is an ex officio member.
They must be natural-born citizens of the Philippines and members of the Philippine Bar; engaged for at least ten (10) years in the practice of law and in teaching of law in a duly authorized or recognized law school.
The President appoints the Chairman and regular members for a term of five (5) years without reappointment from lists of at least three nominees prepared with prior authorization from the Supreme Court by the Judicial and Bar Council. No confirmation by the Commission on Appointments is required. The initial staggered terms are: Chairman and IBP rep—5 years; PALS and PALP reps—3 years; active practitioners rep and law students’ sector rep—1 year.
They shall have the same salary and rank as the Chairman and members, respectively, of the Constitutional Commissions, with the proviso that their salaries shall not be diminished during their term of office.
DepEd shall provide the necessary office and staff support to the Board, with the principal office located in Metropolitan Manila. The Board may appoint other officers and employees it deems necessary.
They include administering the legal education system; supervising law schools; setting accreditation standards (considering enrollment size, faculty qualifications, library/facilities without encroaching on academic freedom); accrediting law schools; prescribing minimum standards for law admission and faculty qualifications/compensation; prescribing basic curricula aligned with Bar requirements, law practice, social consciousness (plus other courses allowed by accreditation levels); establishing a law practice internship (for Bar requirement) not exceeding 12 months; adopting a system of continuing legal education (may require mandatory attendance for practicing lawyers); and prescribing other rules/regulations for attainment of policy objectives.
The Board must establish a law practice internship as a requirement for taking the Bar, undergone anytime during law course with any duly accredited private/public law office or firm or legal assistance group for a specific period set by the Board, but not exceeding a total of twelve (12) months. Guidelines must include the actual work of a new member of the Bar.
The Board may adopt a system of continuing legal education, including providing for mandatory attendance of practicing lawyers in CLE courses for such duration as the Board deems necessary.
No. Educational institutions may not operate a law school unless accredited by the Board. Accreditation may be granted only to educational institutions recognized by the Government.
The Board may withdraw or downgrade accreditation if the law school fails to maintain the standards set for its accreditation status. The effectivity is after the lapse of the semester or trimester following receipt of the notice, unless the school meets/upgrades standards or corrects deficiencies in the meantime.
It is a special endowment fund under the control of the Board, administered separately by the Social Security System (SSS) for investment with due regard to solvency, safety and liquidity. Only the interests earned are used exclusively for purposes of the Act (faculty development grants, professorial chairs, library improvements, similar programs) and for Board operation up to 10% of the interest.
From appropriations pursuant to Section 13, and from sixty percent (60%) of the privilege tax paid by every lawyer effective Fiscal Year 1994, plus donations, legacies, grants-in-aid, and other contributions received by the Board.
An amount of P1,000,000 is authorized from the current year’s Contingent Fund for initial expenses. Additionally, there is an annual appropriation of P10,000,000 under DepEd for a period of ten (10) years effective Fiscal Year 1994.
Its provisions apply to all schools and colleges of law presently supervised by DepEd, with supervision to be transferred to the Board. New law schools/colleges established after approval are likewise covered.
After fifteen (15) days following completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation.