Temporary Waivers of Bar Admission Requirements for Spring 2020 Graduates
UPDATE: APRIL 21, 2020
The Court of Appeals issued an order today implementing temporary waivers of several bar admission requirements for spring 2020 graduates, including pro bono work.
The global pandemic has upended traditional law school instruction, interrupted the bar admissions process, and delayed the administration of the July bar examination, wrote Chief Judge DiFiore. To this respect, the New York Court of Appeals took new measures related to law school requirements and the bar admission process.
The Court of Appeals Waives Pro Bono Requirements for Spring 2020 Law Grads
The first measure will waive the 50 pro bono hours requirement for bar admission and the skills competency requirement for admission. Overall, the Court of Appeals has approved the relaxation of specified application guidelines, including certain notarization, original document and timing requirements. Those changes will be implemented through the Board of Law Examiners and the four departments of the Appellate Division.
On the New York Law Course and the New York Law Examination
The Court further notes that while applicants must still successfully complete the New York Law Course (NYLC) and the New York Law Examination (NYLE), the requirement that applicants complete the NYLC and pass the NYLE no earlier than one year before sitting for the Uniform Bar Examination will be temporarily waived for any applicant who fulfilled the NYLC and NYLE requirements after July 2019 and who first sits for the Uniform Bar Examination no later than 2021.
On campus coursework requirement for LL.M is waived
LLM students are required to have all their coursework programs be completed on campus, in particular they are prohibited from taking their courses online. This requirement has now be waived by the Court of Appeals.
Distance learning limitations were waived on March 31, 2020
Previously, on March 31, the court announced a waiver of distance learning limitations to enable law students to continue their coursework virtually. That waiver applies broadly to all categories of students, including J.D., LL.M. and students who have completed fewer than 28 credit hours.
Pursuant to the distance learning waiver, any classroom-based course that has been converted to a virtual course as a result of the public health crisis will count fully as a classroom-based course – not a distance education course. If necessary, the court is prepared to further extend the waiver of distance learning limitations, including into the fall 2020 term.
Additional updates, including information concerning the September bar examination, will be shared as soon as possible. Prior updates can be accessed here.
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