ISLAMABAD (PEN) : The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ordered a significant reform in legal education, reducing the LL.B programme duration from five to four years and scrapping the Competency Licensing Exam (CLE) for degrees earned abroad.
⚖️ Landmark Ruling by Constitutional Bench
A five-member constitutional bench led by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan issued the directive during a hearing on legal education reforms. Additionally, the court ruled that those who received law degrees abroad will no longer be required to pass the CLE .
Improving Standards, Not Shutting Institutions
Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar emphasised the aim to elevate academic quality, not penalise established institutions. He stated:
“If there are shortcomings in SM Law College, they should be addressed, not used as a reason to shut down the college. SM Law College has existed even before the creation of Pakistan.” .
Following its announcement, the constitutional bench adjourned further proceedings indefinitely .
Aligning with Global Norms
The court’s decision echoes earlier proposals by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Pakistan Bar Council, which had suggested a four-year LL.B structure to match international standards and reduce academic overload.
Studies presented at HEC-led discussions underscored that the existing five-year LL.B curriculum is heavily loaded, creating incentives for students to pursue shorter external law degrees abroad.
️ Institutional Reform on the Horizon
The court urged law colleges to address programmatic shortcomings to improve educational outcomes, not resort to closures. This complements HEC’s earlier commitment to revamp law curricula and engage in a semester-based structure, enhanced faculty development, and licensing reforms.
Implications for Legal Education
Shorter Degree Path*: Students can now obtain an LL.B in four years, bringing Pakistan in line with global benchmarks and enhancing competitiveness.
CLE Waiver*: Graduates from foreign universities are exempt from the CLE requirement, lowering barriers to practising law.
Institutional Oversight*: Law colleges are expected to focus on quality improvement, while the court advocates against campus shutdowns.
️ Pending Developments
With court proceedings on hold, attention now turns to formal implementation. Key stakeholders—including the HEC, Pakistan Bar Council, and law schools—must collaborate to update curricula, ensure regulatory alignment, and set timelines for enforcement.
Why It Matters
A reduced programme duration and CLE exemption signal a transformative shift in Pakistan’s legal education, aimed at modernization and global parity. Ensuring seamless implementation will be vital for maintaining educational quality and producing capable legal professionals.
