This article explores the challenges and potential solutions for reforming public legal education in Albania as part of the broader judicial reform agenda. While legal education has been identified as a vital tool for fostering civic engagement and restoring public trust in justice institutions, Albania’s efforts have been fragmented and largely ineffective. The 2019–2023 National…
Continued suspension of diversity standard suggested by American Bar Association legal education committee
On 2 May 2025, the Standards Committee of the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar issued a memo recommending that enforcement of Standard 206, which governs diversity and inclusion in law school accreditation, remain suspended until 31 August 2026. This recommendation comes ahead of the Section’s Council meeting scheduled…
California scraps new bar exam for July, adjusts scores on February test
On 6 May 2025, Reuters reported on California’s bar exam, highlighting the fallout from the state’s failed attempt to implement a new licensing format. The California Supreme Court has ordered the cancellation of the state’s newly developed bar exam for the July 2025 sitting, following significant issues during its February administration. The February exam, which…
Korean Bar Association calls for reforms to reduce the number of new attorneys
A statement has been published by the Korean Bar Association (KBA), which issued a strong call for urgent reform to Korea’s attorney admission process and a significant reduction in the number of new lawyers admitted each year. In its public position released on 10 April 2025, the KBA emphasised the unsustainable oversaturation of the legal…
The state bar board of trustees of California approves testing locations and vendor for in-person July bar exam
The State Bar of California has issued a release announcing that its Board of Trustees has approved both the software vendor and proposed testing locations for the in-person July 2025 California Bar Exam. This decision forms part of the State Bar’s broader efforts to enhance the exam experience and address concerns raised by candidates who…
The Bar Standards Board of England and Wales issues consultation on revisions to definition of academic legal training
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has initiated a three-month public consultation to gather opinions on proposed revisions to the definition of academic legal training and handling consequential waivers and exemptions. The BSB aims to simplify the existing rules governing the academic component of Bar training to better align with objectives of maintaining high standards, flexibility,…
AI is increasingly important in law firms, but does it have a place in law schools?
In the legal profession, the impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT remains uncertain. Law schools and faculty members are currently grappling with the decision of whether to allow students to use these AI applications in their coursework. While AI is already deeply integrated into legal practice, generative AI goes beyond traditional tools…
New US legal admissions pipeline helps initially rejected applicants to become law students
In the US 22 law schools have developed a new admissions pipeline, ‘LexPostBacc’, specifically for prospective students who were initially rejected during the admissions process. This year-long program offered by these law schools aims to prepare aspiring lawyers, particularly minorities candidates, for the rigors of legal education. Participants must either be from an underrepresented ethnic…
The National Requirement Review Committee of Canada is conducting a review of National Requirements.
The National Requirement Review Committee (NRRC) is conducting a comprehensive review of the National Requirement, which specifies the knowledge and skills required for graduates of Canadian law school programs and internationally trained graduates and lawyers to be admitted to law society admission programs in the Canadian common law jurisdictions. The NRRC has received input from…
American Bar Association publishes bar exam pass data by ethnicity and gender
The Managing Director’s Office of the ABA Section of Legal Education has released the newest set of bar exam pass data aggregated by race, ethnicity and gender. The data from ABA approved law schools provides ultimate and first time pass grades. The charts, which are incorporated into the section’s Legal Education Statistics, include aggregate data in nine…