SC approves bar exams fee hike

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan

MANILA -- To cover the expected hike in operational costs and other logistical expenses in the conduct of the Bar examinations, the Supreme Court (SC) has approved an increase in the examination and admission fees for this year’s Bar examinations.

The en banc notice signed by Clerk of Court Felipa Anama and Bar Confidant Ma. Cristina Layusa showed that Bar examinees would now have to pay PHP3, 750 from the previous PHP3, 500.

“The Court resolved upon the recommendation of Atty. Ma. Cristina Layusa, Deputy Clerk of Court and Bar Confidant, with recommending approval of Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo, chairperson 2018 Bar Examinations, to approve the increase in the Bar examination and admission fees for the 2018 Bar examinations of PHP250 or equivalent to 7.14 percent,” the en banc notice promulgated last January 10 said.

“The above increase in fees will cover the expected increase in Bar operation costs, particularly the cost of the venue and other logistical expenses and allowances of personnel, concomitant to the expected rise of examinees this year,” it added.

In the 2017 Bar examinations, the SC allowed 7, 227 law graduates to take the exams though only 6,750 managed to complete the four Sundays of what is dubbed as the most grueling and difficult licensure examinations in the country today.

The Bar examinations which will be held on all four Sundays of November covers eight subjects namely political law, civil law, taxation, labor law, criminal law, remedial law, mercantile law and legal and judicial ethics.

The University of Sto. Tomas will remain as the venue of this year’s Bar examination.

It was held for several years at the De La Salle University campus in Taft, Manila but the SC decided to move it to UST after DLSU ended its contract due to several construction activities in their campus that year. (PNA)