1. Why is there a need to amend Rule 138-A?

The amendment to Rule 138-A was borne out of the recognition of the reality that the sheer number of vulnerable Filipinos is staggering and the legal aid needs of the marginalized, is overwhelming. The law schools can very well provide legal services to the...

1. We have several students working in the government. Considering the issue on conflict of interest, they might have issues regarding compliance with CLEP. Also, if they were to sign pleadings, especially those working in the Judiciary, do they have to secure authority to engage in limited “law student practice” from SC or the EJ?

No, the certification issued by the EJ as required by the Rule should be sufficient. The work done in their respective employment is not practice of law within the purview of CLEP. Otherwise, it will defeat the purpose of CLEP (i.e. provide legal service because...

2. 85% of our students are working, some work in law offices and courts, can they complete the number of hours in their own offices? What are the rules on externship for law students who are already working in trial courts? Will their hours working in the court be considered?

No, hours working in court will not be credited to CLEP. CLEP is a law school activity; exercise of profession is different from law practice; hours spent as a student is not the same as hours spent as an employee. ——–Please refer to Sec. 2 of the...

2. On the phrase “successfully completed their first year law courses”: Does it mean that the student must have passing grades in ALL first year law courses? If a student passed all first year law courses, he or she was enrolled in but not on full load, he or she is not qualified to apply, right? What if the student has a grade of INC or incomplete in one of those first year law courses, is he or she qualified to apply? What if the student is an irregular student and was only able to pass all first year law courses after the first or second semester of his or her second year, is he or she qualified to apply?

Law school unless the law student has applied for and secured the following certifications: Level 1 certification, for law students who have successfully completed their first-year law courses; and/or … The certification issued shall be valid until the student has...