Republic of the Philippines

LEGAL EDUCATION BOARD

Quezon City

LEB Memorandum Order No. 24

Series of 2021

SUBJECT: THE REVISED MODEL CURRICULUM OF THE BASIC LAW PROGRAM

In line with the authority granted to the Legal Education Board (LEB) by Republic
Act No. 7662 entitled the “Legal Education Reform Act of 1993” to prescribe basic
curricula for a law course, and the corresponding Resolution of the Board En Banc dated
29 June 2021 the Revised Model Curriculum for the basic law program is hereby adopted:

Section 1. Constitutional and Statutory Bases.

a. Section 1 of Article XIV of the Philippine Constitution mandates that the State shall
protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and
shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.

Section 5 (2) of the same Article guarantees the enjoyment of academic freedom
in all institutions of higher learning.

b. Section 7(f) of Republic Act No. 7662 expressly authorizes the LEB “to prescribe
the basic curricula for the course of study aligned to the requirements for
admission to the Bar, law practice and social consciousness, and such other
courses of study as may be prescribed by the law schools and colleges”.

Section 7(c) of the same law guarantees the academic freedom of institutions of
higher learning.

Section 2. Principles. The revision of the model law curriculum under LEB Memorandum
Order (LEBMO) No. 1 (2011), is guided by the following key principles:

a. Legal education, being intimately related to the issue of access to justice, is a

matter of public interest.

b. Legal education plays a vital role in national development, particularly in training

law students for democratic governance and in empowering them to participate
actively in national life.

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 c. Legal education’s intimate connection with the promotion and administration of
justice means that the acquisition of legal education, by itself and independent of
passing the bar examinations, is of value to society. Legal education should
prepare law students for leadership in, and service to, the society.

d. Legal education underpinned by its social and developmental function should be

taught, whenever possible, in its deeper historical, developmental and
philosophical context with openness to a multidisciplinary approach, thus
imbuing the law students with a sense of history, responsibility and mission.

e. The law curriculum must be designed to enable the law student to acquire the
necessary legal knowledge, skills, and attitudes and be of tangible service to their
local communities and the nation, at every level of legal studies, whether or not
they qualify for the practice of law.

f. The law curriculum must be responsive to the current challenges such as gender
sensitivity, health and environmental issues, as well as to the future needs of the
Philippines and the world.

g. Legal education focuses on the holistic formation of law students, providing them
with the foundational mindset, knowledge, skills, and attitudes to enable them to
engage in lifelong learning.

Section 3. Legal Education Institution. Legal Education Institutions (LEIs) refer to

recognized Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), public or private, offering LEB-
registered law programs.

Section 4. Framework. Curricular design in higher learning is essentially a function of

the LEI. It is safeguarded by minimum regulatory standards that provide a balance
between regulation and academic freedom to protect and promote the public interest. In
this respect, the revised model curriculum shall be guided by the following framework:

a. The academic freedom of LEIs to design their curriculum of law study is preserved,
subject only to the minimum courses required in the revised model curriculum
pursuant to the mandate of law.

b. The minimum standards under the revised model curriculum refer to the
mandatory courses to qualify for the bar examinations. These include clinical legal
education, minimum weight of electives, and mandatory perspective and skills
courses. The desired attributes of a Filipino law graduates of leadership, service,
responsibility, gender sensitivity, and adherence to and respect for rule of law are
thereby achieved.

c. LEIs have the discretion to determine the schedule and sequence of courses,
subject to the observance of minimum prerequisite courses; provided, that the
basic law program is made available by the LEI for completion in not less than four
(4) academic years in compliance with Rule 138 of the Rules of Court.

2
 The revised model curriculum recommends the teaching of procedural law
courses alongside corresponding substantive law courses.

d. LEIs shall have full discretion to create and provide electives and/or institutional
requirements based on their academic philosophies without prejudice to the
academic rights of their law faculty and students.

e. The revised model curriculum allows LEIs to formulate optional academic tracks
to develop basic practice specialization for graduates of the basic law program.

f. The revised model curriculum provides recommendations as to innovative and

diverse pedagogical approaches, teaching methodologies and assessment
philosophies for application in the law classroom while recognizing the academic
freedom of LEIs and the law faculty to determine how to teach.

g. The revised model curriculum reduces the minimum academic unit load for each
subject and the total units for the program. This allows the law students more time
for reflective learning and to address health and well-being concerns. The result
is a holistic approach to educating students by improving on traditional methods
of teaching and learning that are more appropriate for higher learning and
graduate studies.

h. The revised model curriculum is rooted in the context that the basic law program
is a graduate level of study. It recognizes that the law faculty and the law students
equally share in the responsibility of achieving academic goals. This is premised
on the concept that the law student is an adult learner, is self-directed, an
independent and experiential learner, and a co-creator of knowledge.

Section 5. General outcomes. The basic law program through the revised model
curriculum shall produce graduates who are professionally competent, practice-ready,
active, self-directed and lifelong learners, responsible, highly ethical, honorable, socially
mindful and gender sensitive; willing leaders and servants; and, thinkers and innovators
in law. This goal is without prejudice to the academic freedom of LEIs to enhance their
program design.

Section 6. Typology. For purposes of reference, the following typology of courses shall
be followed for the revised model curriculum:

a. Mandated Core Courses – These are courses mandated by the LEB as part of the
minimum requirements of the basic law degree for taking the Bar Examinations;
b. Mandated Non-Core Courses – These are courses related to the mandated core
courses as part of the minimum requirements of the basic law degree;
c. Institutionally Required Courses - These are courses required by LEIs in addition
to those mandated by the LEB; and,
d. Elective Courses – These pertain to optional courses and those taken for academic
tracks.

Section 7. Units. The revised model curriculum shall be composed of a minimum of one
hundred thirty-five (135) total units consisting of one hundred twenty (120) units of

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mandated core courses, five (5) units of mandated non-core courses, and ten (10) units
of electives.

Section 8. Mandated Core Courses. The mandated core courses under the revised model
curriculum shall have the following optional code for each of the subjects, prescribed
minimum unit weights and minimum prerequisites:

CODE DESCRIPTIVE TITLE UNITS PREREQUISITES

JD101 Philosophy of Law 2 None
JD102 Statutory Construction 2 None
JD103 Legal Research and Writing 2 None
JD104 Legal Forms 2 None
JD105 Clinical Legal Education 2 None
JD201 Basic Legal and Judicial Ethics 3 None
Legal and Judicial Ethics and
JD202 Practical Exercises Review and 2 JD104, JD201
Integration
JD301 Constitutional Law I 4 None
JD302 Constitutional Law II 3 None
Administrative Law and Law on
JD303 2 JD301
Public Officers
JD304 Election Laws 1 JD301
JD305 Laws on Local Government 2 JD301
JD306 Public International Law 3 JD301
Political and International Law JD301, JD302, JD303, JD304,
JD307 5
Review and Integration JD305, JD306
JD401 Criminal Law I 3 None
JD402 Criminal Law II 4 JD401
Criminal Law Review and
JD403 3 JD401, JD402
Integration
JD501 Persons and Family Law 3 None
JD502 Obligations and Contracts 5 None
JD503 Property and Land Law 4 None
JD504 Basic Succession Law 2 JD501
JD505 Torts and Damages 2 JD502
JD501, JD502, JD503, JD504,
JD506 Private International Law 2 JD701, JD702, JD703, JD801,
JD901
JD501, JD502, JD503, JD504,
JD507 Civil Law Review and Integration 6
JD505, JD506
JD601 Criminal Procedure 3 None
JD602 Civil Procedure I 3 None
JD603 Civil Procedure II 3 JD602
JD604 Evidence 3 JD601, JD602, JD603
JD605 Special Rules and Proceedings 3 JD504
Remedial Law Review and JD601, JD602, JD603, JD604,
JD606 6
Integration JD605

4
 Agency, Trust and Partnership
JD701 2 JD502
Law
Corporation and Basic Securities
JD702 3 JD502
Law
JD703 Commercial Laws I 3 JD502, JD702
JD704 Commercial Laws II 4 JD502, JD702
Commercial Law Review and
JD705 5 JD701, JD702, JD703, JD704
Integration
JD801 Labor Law and Social Legislation 4 JD302
Labor Law Review and
JD802 3 JD801
Integration
JD901 Basic Taxation Law 3 JD301
Taxation Law Review and
JD902 3 JD901
Integration
TOTAL 120

Section 9. Mandated Non-Core Courses. The mandated non-core courses under the
revised model curriculum shall have the following optional code for each of the subjects,
prescribed minimum unit weights and minimum prerequisites:

CODE DESCRIPTIVE TITLE UNITS PREREQUISITES

Environmental and Natural
JD308 2 None
Resources Law
JD607 Medical Jurisprudence 1 JD604
Gender Sensitivity, and Laws on
JD803 2 None
Women and Children’s Rights
TOTAL 5

Section 10. Course Specifications. The following are the optional codes for each subject,
course titles, prescribed unit weights, and course description of the mandated core
courses:

CODE TITLE UNITS DESCRIPTION

A study of the historical roots of law from
Roman times, the schools of legal thought that
spurred the growth and development of law,
JD101 Philosophy of Law 2 and the primordial purpose of law and legal
education.

No prerequisite course.
A course that explores the use and force of
statutes and the principles and methods of
their construction and interpretation. The
Statutory course also includes a discussion on the
JD102 2
Construction language of the law, and the interpretation and
effectivity of laws as provided under the Civil
Code.

5
 No prerequisite course.
The course introduces the structures to the
methodology of legal research and the
preparation of legal opinions, memoranda, or
expository or critical paper on any subject
approved by the law faculty member. It also
Legal Research and includes legal writing technique and style; it
JD103 2
Writing involves applied legal bibliography, case
digesting and reporting analysis, and legal
reasoning. The course also provides an
overview of legal communications.

No prerequisite course.
The course links knowledge and application on
the various legal documents and forms used in
practice, pleading and procedure, as well as in
JD104 Legal Forms 2 conveyancing. It also includes various forms
specifically used for commercial transactions.

No prerequisite course.
The course introduces students to a limited
practice of law as required under Rule 138-A of
the Rules of Court, including the ethical
considerations of lawyering. It may cover,
depending on the certification level of law
student practitioners, court appearances,
drafting and submission of pleadings and
documents before trial and appellate courts
and quasi-judicial and administrative bodies. It
also covers assisting in mediation and other
Clinical Legal modes of alternative or appropriate dispute
JD105 2
Education resolution, legal counselling and advice, and
such other activities as may designed under the
Clinical Legal Education Program of the LEI’s
law clinic. The course also includes
apprenticeship, externship and internship
programs.

The course may be offered at any year

beginning the first semester of Year 2.

No prerequisite course.
This course focuses on the canons of legal
ethics, pertinent provisions of laws and rules
on norms of conduct, and other similar
Basic Legal and
JD201 3 principles involving the duties and
Judicial Ethics
responsibilities of the lawyer and law student
practitioners with respect to the public or
society, the Bar or legal profession, the Courts
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 and the client. The course also covers the
ethical norms of conduct for the members of
the judiciary, whether judicial or non-judicial.

This course is an enhancement of the previous

Basic Legal Ethics course.

No prerequisite course.
A review course intended for bar examinees
focusing on problem areas and advanced topics
in legal and judicial ethics, as well as related
jurisprudence. The course also centers on
problem solving through application of the
legal canons. It also provides survey and
Legal and Judicial
review of key legal forms and memoranda.
Ethics and Practical
2 More importantly, the course provides
JD202 Exercises Review
integration of key principles, and discussion of
and Integration
updates on jurisprudence and trends as may be
projected to be covered in the bar
examinations.

Prerequisites: Legal Forms, and Basic

Legal and Judicial Ethics
Alternatively entitled as Foundations and
Principles of the Philippine State, it entails a
survey and evaluation of basic political
foundations of the structure of the Philippine
Constitutional Law Government, and the policies, principles and
JD301 4
I powers of the Philippine state. The course also
covers all other constitutional provisions
except those covered in Constitutional Law II.

No prerequisite course.
Alternatively entitled as Constitutional and
Human Rights, it is a comprehensive study of
the Bill of Rights, other constitutional rights
and judicial review of the acts affecting them.
The course also emphasizes the importance of
Constitutional Law
JD302 3 gender and child sensitivity under the equal
II
protection clause and in the aspects of
protecting, defending and redressing
violations of human rights in the Philippines.

No prerequisite course.
The course will survey the interplay of key
Administrative Law
laws that deal with public office and civil
JD303 and Law on Public 2
service covering the basic principles and
Officers
doctrines governing administrative agencies,

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 and the essential standards and rules
applicable to public servants.

Prerequisite: Constitutional Law I

The course covers the laws regulating the
conduct of elections, and the law on
preproclamation contests and election
JD304 Election Laws 1
protests, and as well as related jurisprudence.

Prerequisite: Constitutional Law I

This is a study of the general principles
governing local governments. The course also
covers the laws affecting the creation,
organization and government of provinces,
cities, municipalities, municipal districts, and
barangays; the scope and application of the
Laws on Local
JD305 2 powers of municipal corporations, including
Governments
municipal ordinances, contracts, liabilities,
and enterprises; as well as the laws on
autonomous regions, and the National Capital
Region.

Prerequisite: Constitutional Law I

A study of the general principles of
international law and an overview of the legal
principles governing international relations
based, among others, on the United Nations
Public International
JD306 3 Charter, treaty law, the doctrines of well-
Law
known and recognized publicists, and the
decisions of international tribunals and bodies.

Prerequisite: Constitutional Law I

A review course intended for bar examinees
focusing on constitutional law, including
political law, administrative law, electoral laws
and related subjects. More importantly, the
course provides integration of key principles,
Political and and discussion of important updates on
International Law jurisprudence and trends as may be projected
JD307 5
Review and to be covered in the bar examinations.
Integration
Prerequisites: Constitutional Law I and
II, Administrative Law and Law on Public
Officers, Election Laws, Laws on Local
Government, and Public International
Law
Environmental and A study of the constitutional provisions,
JD308 Natural Resources 2 international conventions, and special laws
Law protecting the environment and the ecosystem.
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 The study includes existing laws governing the
use and disposition of natural resources, as
well as prevailing rules that are geared
towards stemming climate change.

No prerequisite course.
Alternatively entitled as Foundations and
Principles of Criminal Law, it is a detailed
examination into the characteristics of criminal
law, the nature of felonies, stages of execution,
circumstances affecting criminal liability,
persons criminally liable; the extent and
extinction of criminal liability as well as the
understanding of penalties in criminal law,
JD401 Criminal Law I 3 their nature and theories, classes, crimes,
habitual delinquency, juvenile delinquency, the
Indeterminate Sentence Law and the Probation
Law.

The course covers Articles 1-113 of the Revised

Penal Code and related laws.

No prerequisite course.
Alternatively entitled as Crimes and Penalties, it
is a study of the important felonies penalized in
Book II of the Revised Penal Code as amended,
and the important and common crimes found
in special penal laws, their nature, elements
JD402 Criminal Law II 4 and corresponding penalties.

The course is an enhancement of the previous

Criminal Law II course.

Prerequisite: Criminal Law I

A review course intended for bar examinees
focusing on criminal laws, important and
common special penal laws and related
jurisprudence. More importantly, the course
Criminal Law
provides integration of key principles, and
JD403 Review and 3
discussion of important updates on
Integration
jurisprudence and trends as may be projected
to be covered in the bar examinations.

Prerequisites: Criminal Law I and II

A basic course on the law of persons and the
family that first examines the effect and
Persons and Family
JD501 3 application of laws, and then proceeds to deal
Law
with the legal norms affecting civil personality,
marriage, property relations between husband
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 and wife, legal separation, the matrimonial
regimes of absolute community, conjugal
partnership of gains, and complete separation
of property; paternity and filiation, adoption,
guardianship, support, parental authority,
surnames, absence and emancipation.

No prerequisite course.
An in-depth study of the nature, kinds and
effect of obligations and their extinguishment;
contracts in general, their requisites, form and
interpretation; defective contracts, quasi
contracts, natural obligations, and estoppel.
The course also covers civil code provisions on
Sales as a special contract; the application of
provisions of contracts and obligations in
Obligations and
JD502 5 contract of sales and the special rules under
Contracts
Art.1458-1637 which are applicable to sales
only.

The course is an enhancement of the previous

Obligations and Contracts course through the
integration of the basics of the law on sales.

No prerequisite course.
A course offering the study and analysis of the
basic laws on property, including different
classification of property and the modes of
acquiring ownership. The course also covers
the important principles governing titles and
registration of real property under the Public
Land Act.
Property and Land
JD503 4
Law The course also integrates the key principles,
discussion of important updates and trends
and the relevant legal forms.

The course is an integration of the previous

Property, and Land Titles and Deeds courses.

No prerequisite course.
The course covers the introduction to the law
on Succession, which focus on the examination
and analysis of the basic and key provisions of
Basic Succession the law on testate and intestate succession. The
JD504 2
Law course also takes up the basic rules of
procedure on the settlement and
administration of the estate of deceased
persons.

10
 The course integrates the key principles,
discussion of important updates and trends
and the relevant legal forms for the course.

Prerequisite: Persons and Family Law

The course focus on the analysis of the law on
quasi-delicts as well as the nature, classes and
extent of damages. It includes discussions on
the principle of Abuse of Rights under the civil
code provisions on Human Relations.
JD505 Torts and Damages 2
The course explicitly integrates medical
jurisprudence.

Prerequisite: Obligations and Contracts

A course dealing with legal transactions with
emphasis on the choice of law, including
problems on jurisdiction and the recognition
and enforcement of foreign judgments.

Private Prerequisites: Persons and Family Law,

JD506 2
International Law Obligations and Contracts, Agency, Trust
and Partnership Law, Corporation and
Basic Securities Law, Labor Law and
Social Legislation, Basic Succession Law,
Property and Land Law, Commercial
Laws I, and Basic Taxation Law
A review course intended for bar examinees
focusing on civil law, including persons and
family law, obligations and contracts, basic
succession, laws on property and titles, private
international law, torts and related subjects.
More importantly, the course provides
integration of key principles, and discussion of
Civil Law Review important updates on jurisprudence and
JD507 6
and Integration trends as may be projected to be covered in the
bar examinations.

Prerequisites: Persons and Family Law,

Obligations and Contracts, Property and
Land Law, Basic Succession Law, Torts
and Damages, and Private International
Law
A study of the procedural rules governing the
investigation, trial, and disposition of criminal
JD601 Criminal Procedure 3
cases in court, including jurisdiction of courts
in criminal cases and independent civil actions.

11
 The course also develops familiarity with
relevant legal forms.

The course explicitly integrates medical

jurisprudence.

No prerequisite course.
A study on the interplay of procedural laws in
the resolution of civil disputes, with an in-
depth focus on the jurisdiction in civil actions,
Rules 1 to 39 of the 1997 Rules of Court as
amended, and small claims. The course also
includes discussion of appropriate modes of
JD602 Civil Procedure I 3 dispute resolution such as mediation, barangay
conciliation and the like. The study of the rules
is supplemented by a study of applicable
jurisprudence. The course also develops
familiarity with relevant legal forms.

No prerequisite course.
A study on the interplay of procedural laws in
the resolution of civil disputes, with an in-
depth focus on Rules 40 to 71 of the 1997
Rules of Court as amended, including
Provisional Remedies. The study of the rules
JD603 Civil Procedure II 3
is supplemented by a study of applicable
jurisprudence. The course also develops
familiarity with relevant legal forms.

Prerequisite: Civil Procedure I

A course which looks into the rules of
presentation, admissibility, and weight and
sufficiency of evidence, including burden of
proof and presumption. It also covers medical
jurisprudence on forensic and evidence
JD604 Evidence 3
gathering. The course also develops familiarity
with relevant legal forms.

Prerequisites: Criminal Procedure, and,

Civil Procedure I and II
A study of Rules 72-109 of the Revised Rules
of Court dealing with the procedural rules on
the settlement of estate, will, letters
testamentary and administration, escheats,
Special Rules and
JD605 3 guardianship, appointment of trustees,
Proceedings
adoption, change of name, cancellation and
correction of entries in the Civil Registry and
appeals on special proceedings and the
special rules under the Family Code on special
12
 proceedings. The course similarly surveys
important special rules outside of the rules of
court such as those in environmental and
commercial cases. The course also develops
familiarity with relevant legal forms.

Prerequisite: Basic Succession Law

A review course intended for bar examinees
focusing on remedial laws, particularly those
found under the Rules of Court, and related
statutes, other sources of procedural law, as
well as relevant jurisprudence. More
importantly, the course provides integration
Remedial Law
of key principles, and discussion of important
JD606 Review and 6
updates on jurisprudence and trends as may
Integration
be projected to be covered in the bar
examinations.

Prerequisite: Criminal Procedure, Civil

Procedure I and II, Evidence, and Special
Rules and Proceedings
The course provides an overview of the
principles relating to medico-legal cases,
Medical including the procedure of presenting and
JD607 1
Jurisprudence examining a medical expert witness.

Prerequisite course: Evidence

A course focusing on important provisions of
the Civil Code on Agency (Title X), Partnership
Agency, Trust and
JD701 2 (Title IX) and Trusts (Title V).
Partnership Law
Prerequisite: Obligations and Contracts
A study of the key principles governing private
corporations, including foreign corporations
and the concept of doing business in the
Philippines as found in the Corporation Code
and other special laws. The course also
includes an analysis of the applicable common
law and commercial principles underlying the
Corporation and various relationships in the corporate setting,
JD702 Basic Securities 3 including joint ventures, with emphasis on the
Law corporation being a medium for business
enterprise and a means of providing for the
equity investment market.

The course includes the study of the basic and

pertinent provisions of the Securities
Regulation Code.

13
 Prerequisite: Obligations and Contracts
A survey of the important principles and
concepts of basic laws on commercial
transactions, with a particular focus on Civil
Code provisions on loans, mortgages, pledges
and guaranty, and similar credit transactions,
as amended by the Personal Property
Securities Act. Additionally, the course
JD703 Commercial Laws I 3
integrates discussion on relevant provisions of
laws on banking, negotiable instruments and
financial rehabilitation.

Prerequisite: Obligations and Contracts,

and Corporation and Basic Securities
Law
A survey of emerging and relevant commercial
laws dealing with public interest, including
Transportation Law, Insurance Law,
Intellectual Property Code, Competition Act,
JD704 Commercial Laws II 4 and Data Privacy Act.

Prerequisite: Obligations and Contracts,

and Corporation and Basic Securities
Law
A review course intended for bar examinees
focusing on commercial laws and related
jurisprudence. More importantly, the course
provides integration of key principles, and
discussion of important updates on
Commercial Law
jurisprudence and trends as may be projected
JD705 Review and 5
to be covered in the bar examinations.
Integration
Prerequisites: Agency, Trust and
Partnership Law, Corporation and Basic
Securities Law, and, Commercial Laws I
and II
A study of social legislation laws with a
particular focus on labor rights and welfare.
The course also touches on important
provisions and jurisprudence on labor
standards and relations under the Labor Code
Labor Law and and special laws, as well as an introduction in
JD801 4
Social Legislation the Rules of Procedure of the National Labor
Relations Commission.

The course also surveys social justice

legislation to highlight the special protections
for vulnerable sectors, key principles of

14
 agrarian reform laws, and welfare laws such
as SSS and GSIS laws.

The course is an integration of the previous

Labor Law I, Labor Law II and Agrarian Law
and Social Legislation courses.

Prerequisite: Constitutional Law II

A review course intended for bar examinees
focusing on labor laws, social legislation and
related jurisprudence. More importantly, the
course provides integration of key principles,
Labor Law Review and discussion of important updates on
JD802 3
and Integration jurisprudence and trends as may be projected
to be covered in the bar examinations.

Prerequisite: Labor Law and Social

Legislation
The course seeks to provide students with a
keen understanding of gender and child
sensitivity and equality and non-
discrimination. Feminist legal theories and
international instruments relating to women’s
and children’s rights will be examined and
analyzed. The course also introduces the
students to the legal framework of protection
for women and children, and the psycho-social
dimensions of handling their cases. Focus will
Gender Sensitivity,
also be given on institutions that create,
and Laws on
JD803 2 maintain and perpetuate gender inequalities
Women and
and child abuse, in particular the legal
Children’s Rights
framework and how it contributes to the
institutionalization of gender differences.
Special issues and concerns, such as rights of
indigenous women and children, violence
against women and children, sexual
harassment and human trafficking, will be
highlighted to provide illustrations of how
discrimination and abuse occur.

No prerequisite course.
The course covers the constitutional aspects of
taxation, and general principles of income,
transfer and local taxation. The course also
provides a general survey of concepts and
JD901 Basic Taxation Law 3
principles underlying the key taxes provided in
the National Internal Revenue Code, as
amended.

15
 Prerequisite: Constitutional Law I
A review course intended for bar examinees
focusing on taxation laws and related
jurisprudence. More importantly, the course
Taxation Law provides integration of key principles, and
JD902 Review and 3 discussion of important updates on
Integration jurisprudence and trends as may be projected
to be covered in the bar examinations.

Prerequisite: Basic Taxation Law

Section 11. Electives.

a. LEIs may introduce new electives without the approval of the LEB; provided that
the LEI shall submit a written report to the LEB within 30 days before the start of
the academic year regarding the electives offered, the number of units per elective,
and when these will be offered. The LEB shall duly acknowledge the report within
three (3) working days from receipt. The LEI shall likewise inform the students
about the LEB acknowledgement through an advisory posted in the school’s
bulletin board. Furthermore, the LEI shall indicate in the student’s enrollment
form that the LEB has acknowledged the receipt of the report on the electives.

b. Failure to submit this report shall result in the non-recognition of the electives
offered by the LEI which shall bear the consequences of the non-recognition.
Students who enrolled in these electives in good faith shall not be prejudiced by
the non-recognition of the electives.

Section 12. Schedule and Sequence. The revised model curriculum shall be offered for a
period of at least four (4) academic years up to the maximum residency as may be
determined by the LEI, following the recommended schedule and sequence of courses
outlined below:

Juris Doctor Program

135 units
First Term YEAR I Second Term
COURSE UNIT PREREQUISITE COURSE UNIT PREREQUISITE
Legal Research and
Philosophy of Law 2 None 2 None
Writing
Statutory Construction 2 None Constitutional Law II 3 None
Basic Legal and Judicial
3 None Criminal Law II 4 Criminal Law I
Ethics
Obligations and
Constitutional Law I 4 None 5 None
Contracts
Criminal Law I 3 None Civil Procedure I 3 None
Criminal Procedure 3 None
Subtotal 17 Subtotal 17
First Term YEAR 2 Second Term
Constitutional Law Administrative Law and Constitutional Law
Public International Law 3 2
I Law on Public Officers I
Persons and Family Law 3 None Property and Land Law 4 None
Persons and
Civil Procedure II 3 Civil Procedure I Basic Succession Law 2 Family Law

16
 Criminal
Agency, Trust and Obligations and Procedure, and
2 Contracts Evidence 3 Civil Procedure I
Partnership Law
and II
Obligations and
Contracts, and
Corporation and Basic Obligations and
3 Contracts Commercial Laws I 3 Corporation and
Securities Law Basic Securities
Law
Labor Law and Social Constitutional Law Constitutional Law
4 Basic Taxation Law 3
Legislation II I
Clinical Legal
2 None
Education*
Subtotal 20 Subtotal 17
First Term YEAR 3 Second Term
Laws on Local Constitutional Law Constitutional Law
2 I Election Laws 1 I
Government
Environmental and
2 None Medical Jurisprudence 1 Evidence
Natural Resources Law
Gender Sensitivity and
Obligations and
Torts and Damages 2 Contracts Laws on Women and 2 None
Children’s Rights
Persons and
Family Law,
Obligations and
Contracts,
Property and Land
Law, Basic
Succession Law,
Private International Agency, Trust and
2 Partnership Law, Electives 10 As applicable
Law
Corporation and
Basic Securities
Law, Commercial
Laws I, Labor Law
and Social
Legislation, and
Basic Taxation Law
Special Rules and Basic Succession
3 Law
Proceedings
Obligations and
Contracts, and
Commercial Laws II 4 Corporation and
Basic Securities
Law
Legal Forms 2 None
Subtotal 17 Subtotal 14
First Term YEAR 4 Second Term
Constitutional Law
I and II,
Administrative
Political and Law and Law on Legal and Judicial Ethics Basic Legal and
Public Officers,
International Law 5 Election Laws, and Practical Exercises 2 Judicial Ethics, and
Review and Integration Review and Integration Legal Forms
Laws on Local
Government, and
Public
International Law
Obligations and
Contracts, Persons
Criminal
and Family Law,
Procedure, Civil
Basic Succession
Civil Law Review and Remedial Law Review Procedure I and II,
6 Law, Property and 6
Integration Land Law, Torts and Integration Evidence, and
Special Rules and
and Damages, and
Proceedings
Private
International Law
Criminal Law Review Criminal Law I, Commercial Law Commercial Laws I,
3 Criminal Law II
5 and II, Agency,
and Integration Review and Integration
17
 Trust and
Partnership, and
Corporation and
Basic Securities
Law
Labor Law Review and Labor Law and Taxation Law Review
3 Social Legislation
3 Basic Taxation Law
Integration and Integration
Subtotal 17 Subtotal 16
*The mandated CLE course may be offered at any year level of study starting on the first term of Year 2.

Section 13. Clinical Legal Education.

a. The clinical legal education (CLE) program shall be offered by LEIs, based on their
own design, in line with the Supreme Court requirements under Revised Rule 138-
A to qualify for the bar examinations.

b. The mandated CLE course (JD105) with a weight of two (2) units shall be
considered as minimum curricular compliance, without prejudice to the offering
of additional and enhanced clinical courses based on the LEI’s discretion. Electives
may also be offered as enhancement courses of the CLE course, cognizant of the
twin benefits of experiential education of allowing students to learn the law while
serving their community and country.

c. The mandated CLE course (JD105) may be offered at any year level of study
starting on the first term of Year 2.

d. A single CLE course may also be accomplished in two or more terms at the option
of the LEI in which case the total number of units shall be divided among the
applicable terms.

Section 14. Drafting and Use of Legal Documents and Forms.

a. Law students shall be trained in the drafting and use of legal documents and forms.
Such training shall be integrated in the teaching of substantive law courses such
as Basic Succession Law, and Corporation and Basic Securities Law, etc.

b. Law students shall also be trained in the preparation and use of common and
important legal forms in litigation and judicial processes. The training shall be
explicitly integrated in the teaching of the procedural law courses such as Criminal
and Civil Procedure.

Section 15. Medical Jurisprudence.

a. In line with the requirements of the Supreme Court for a law student to qualify for
the bar examinations, the topic of medical jurisprudence shall be taught in the law
curriculum as a mandated non-core course.

b. Under the revised model curriculum, relevant elements of medical jurisprudence

shall also be expressly integrated in the mandated core courses like Criminal
Procedure (JD601), Evidence (JD604), and, Torts and Damages (JD505), without
prejudice to the academic freedom of LEIs to further enhance their offerings.

18
Section 16. Enhancement and Tracks.

a. Subject to the reasonable exercise of academic freedom, LEIs may enhance the
revised model curriculum through the following options:
1. Adding institutionally required courses;
2. Identifying list of electives to be offered;
3. Expanding the unit weight of courses;
4. Expanding the course descriptions;
5. Adding or expanding prerequisites;
6. Determining when courses shall be offered, and in what sequence, subject
only to the observance of minimum prerequisites;
7. Determining when the CLE course shall be offered, and the number of
terms it may be accomplished; or,
8. Other similar actions in consultation with the LEB.

b. LEIs shall not reduce the minimum number of units of the prescribed mandated
core and non-core courses, the minimum total units of electives, and the minimum
coverage of the course descriptions.

c. Academic tracks aimed at developing basic specializations for students based on

the academic philosophies of the LEI may also be used to enhance the revised
model curriculum. The academic track shall require a minimum number of
elective units to be earned by a law student upon accomplishing the academic
requirements set by the LEI.

d. LEIs may establish consortia with each other for the sole purpose of establishing
joint offering of academic tracks.

Section 17. Thesis. Thesis or similar research courses may be offered by LEIs either as
electives or institutionally required courses.

Section 18. Pedagogical Approaches. LEIs and the law faculty have the academic
freedom to determine the manner of teaching. Pedagogical approaches that may be
employed either singly or in combination with each other include:

a. Collaborative Approach – This refers to a variety of educational approaches

involving the sharing of ideas between and among law students and law faculty
together.i It enables development of higher-level thinking, oral communication,
self-management and leadership skills, and leads to exposure to and an increase
in understanding of diverse perspectives. This approach allows law students to
develop the value of cooperation, respect, camaraderie and tolerance.ii

b. Constructivist Approach – This approach views law students as active constructors

of meaningful knowledge. They construct knowledge rather than just passively
receive information. As they experience the world and reflect upon those
experiences, they build their own representations and incorporate new
information into their pre-existing knowledge. iii

19
 c. Inquiry-Based Approach – The approach emphasizes questioning, investigating,
proving, probing, explaining, predicting, and establishing connection between
pieces of evidence. Instead of initially discussing the doctrines and principles of
law, the law faculty starts by presenting a range of scenarios, questions and
problems for law students to consider for resolution and application. The
approach thereby develops critical and creative thinking skills in law students.iv

d. Integrative Approach – This approach highlights the importance of connections

and relationship of ideas and concepts between and among different disciplines.
It challenges law students to discover the application of complex multidisciplinary
concepts to various situations thereby expanding thinking beyond the traditional
boundaries of a subject.v

e. Reflective Approach – The development of skills on what and why the law students
need to learn and how to go about it is central to their academic and professional
development within a discipline. It is an evidence-based, integrative, analytical,
and capacity-building process that serves to generate, deepen, critique, and
document learning. In particular, the student’s ability to reflect on one’s practice
when confronted by a novel, unusual, or complex situation is enhanced.vi

Section 19. Teaching Methodologies. Models of teaching methodsvii that may be adopted
by the law faculty, either singly or in combination with other methods, include:

a. Case Method – A system of legal teaching that focuses on studying previous case
law to highlight principles and prevailing doctrines. Students are assigned to read
cases before attending a class, and are usually quizzed orally during class through
the Socratic method.viii

b. Clinical Method and/or Experiential Learning – Method of learning through

applying theory in practical scenarios such as ‘on project’ experience, and may
employ a coaching approach to students on the practice of real-time cases,
including a feedback mechanism, and mentoring and honing of legal skills.ix
Closely related to service learning, the classroom may be a legal clinic where the
student engages in limited practice of law essentially learning by doing, or
learning through practice and reflection while serving the community.

c. Collaborative Method – Law students undertake group projects and discussions

where they actively participate in the learning process by interacting with each
other and listening to other’s point of view. Group members negotiate tasks, roles
and responsibilities. The students learn indirectly from the law faculty through
constructed group work, and directly from other students.x

d. Field Action Project Method – This method involves the conduct of student projects
in communities or sectors. The focus is to investigate and inquire into issues
affecting the members of society, and to arrive at suggested remedial measures to
solve them. This deepens the student’s understanding and appreciation of the role
of law in addressing societal problems.xi

20
 e. Interactive Method – A form of learning whereby law students gain practical skills
as they are confronted with simulated situations, and play the role of lawyers to
solve the problems. Some of the most common interactive learning methods
include: role playing, simulations, moot courts, mock trials, case studies (which is
different from the case law method), small group discussions, and debates.xii

f. Lecture Method – A traditional method where an oral presentation of information

and insights is done by the law faculty. The students are exposed to the reading,
research, and experiences of the lecturer. This provides the student with
substantive knowledge and understanding to develop their own perception and
application of the law.

g. Problem Method – A method which uses hypothetical fact situations as the center
piece for student analysis and discussions. The problems typically present
plausible situations of varying detail and complexity. Law students then select a
course of conduct, or predict a court’s decision based on a variety of legal and
other materials either provided to the students or readily available to them. The
students are enabled to identify issues and applicable doctrines in the resolution
of problems presented.xiii

h. Research Method – Refers to the adoption of legal research tasks to enhance

learning. This method highlights different dimensions and tools of doctrinal legal
research utilizing either quantitative or qualitative approach, as well as non-
doctrinal legal research or socio-legal research. The law students are able to
produce quality research, and develop writing and analytical skills, and a better
understanding of the law as it applies to various issues that may confront them in
the future.xiv

i. Seminar Method – This approach involves structured group discussion based on

paper presentations by students on specific themes. The participants in a seminar
learn from the discussion, and develop analytical skills, facility of expression, and
articulation of thoughts about the presentation.xv

j. Socratic Method – The law faculty utilizes this method of teaching by posing
questions to elicit understanding by the law students of legal concepts and
principles. This method encourages students to come up with different ways of
framing an argument, and develops critical thinking and proper application of
legal principles and doctrines to new set of facts. xvi

In the implementation of any teaching methodology, law professors and students

must promote gender sensitivity in the classroom, and prevent discrimination on the
basis of gender.

Section 20. Foundations for pedagogical methods. The following are some of the
considerations in the selection of effective teaching strategies for the revised model
curriculum:

21
 a. Absorptive capacity – This refers to the acquisition of a clear and accurate
perception, a complete knowledge, a strong, tenacious grasp of unchangeable
principles of law, its details, consequences, and application to human affairs.xvii

b. Integration of ethics in every subject – Inclusion of ethical considerations in the

discussion of legal principles and cases; it emphasizes the proper moral choices
that would-be lawyers make when faced with ethical dilemmas. It may include a
discussion on choices made by society for the delivery of legal services and the
socio-economic pressures which can shape the behavior of legal professionals.xviii

c. Mental wellness – This should address the development of a broad range of skills
including time management, stress management, resilience and emotional
intelligence. Learning may incorporate appropriate self-management techniques
including the ability to learn and work independently, and make use of feedback
as appropriate, to support personal and professional development.xix

d. Learning time/contact vs non-contact hours – There should be a balance of contact

hours with non-contact hours. Contact hours entail discussion, guidance, and
transfer of skills, which takes place in the presence of a law faculty member, and
is intended for over-all instruction. Non-contact hours are individual or largely
student-led learning utilizing resources judiciously chosen to support training,
practice, and development of personal skills and competencies.xx

e. Flexible learning – An approach to legal education that takes into account a wide
range of delivery modes considering the appropriate learning environment needs.

f. Leveraging technology – Emphasis on the adoption of state-of-the-art technologies

in the study and application of the law, particularly data security, and legal,
financial and critical aspects of technology to facilitate the application of a holistic
view of the law.xxi

Section 21. Methods of assessment and feedback. Building on the academic freedom of
LEIs and the law faculty, the following principles and methods of assessment and
feedbackxxii shall be encouraged:

a. Assessments are tools used to obtain and document information about student
achievement, skills, and ability. Assessments determine whether students have
achieved the desired competencies and intended learning outcomes, as well as
provide feedback on how they can improve their learning skills.

b. Assessment methods and requirements influence how and what students learn.
Prompt feedback from the law faculty is a critical step in the learning loop which
enables students to reflect on what they have learned and what they need to
improve on, thereby enhancing the learning experience and improving student
performance.

c. Types of assessments.

22
 1. Formative (non-graded) assessments — Also known as “assessments for
learning”, formative assessments aid learning by providing feedback to
students and the law faculty on student learning. They are not directly used
to assign grades or rank students. Examples include practice problems and
self-graded quizzes.

2. Summative (graded) assessments — Also known as “assessments of

learning”, summative assessments assign grades or otherwise indicate the
extent to which students have achieved the intended course learning
outcomes. Summative assessments usually take place once, at the end of
the semester, usually in the form of final exams.

3. Formative-summative assessments — These are graded assessments

administered prior to the end of the semester that provide feedback to
students regarding their progress and help them improve their
performance. Examples include graded quizzes and midterm exams.

4. Performance assessments — These are assessments that measure students’

ability to perform a task.

5. Cognitive assessments — These are assessments that test the acquisition of

applicable knowledge of substantive law.

6. Norm-referenced assessments — These are assessments that evaluate

student performance in relation to the performance of all the students in
the class, where students are graded based on a statistical curve.

7. Criterion-referenced assessments — These are assessments that evaluate

student performance in relation to specific standards or objective criteria.

d. Law faculty must strive to ensure that their assessment methods are
constructively aligned with their intended course learning outcomes, course
content, and teaching methods. They are also encouraged to use formative
assessments as the primary form of assessment, use multiple methods to assess
student learning, and ensure that their assessment methods are criterion-
referenced, valid, reliable, and fair.

Section 22. Implementation.

a. The revised model curriculum may be implemented beginning the Academic Year
2021–2022 at the option of the LEI.

b. Beginning Academic Year 2022-2023, the revised model curriculum shall be

mandatory for all LEB accredited LEIs.

c. The revised model curriculum shall apply only to newly admitted students at the
time of its implementation; provided that, existing students under the former
model curriculum may, with LEB approval and upon recommendation of the LEI,
enroll under the revised model curriculum; provided further that, these enrollees

23
 shall be allowed to graduate not earlier than the Academic Year 2024-2025;
provided finally that, LEB’s approval shall be subject to such rules and guidelines
it may issue later with regard to equivalence of courses or credit units between
the former model curriculum and the revised model curriculum.

Section 23. Application.

a. LEIs optionally adopting the revised model curriculum shall submit the following:
1. Application Letter signed by the Dean;
2. List of the LEI’s Mandated Core and Non-Core Courses, Elective Courses,
and Institutionally Required Courses;
3. The Curriculum Outline showing the revised model curriculum, as
optionally enhanced by the LEI;
4. In cases of enhancements and academic tracks, brief write up explaining
the enhancements; and,
5. Other relevant information such as pedagogical approaches, teaching
methodologies and methods of assessment and feedback that will be
adopted by the LEI.

b. In preparation for the mandatory implementation of the revised model

curriculum, all LEIs shall submit the documents listed in the foregoing paragraph
before the end of the Academic Year 2021-2022.

Section 24. Repealing clause.

a. The Model Curriculum of the basic law program under LEBMO No. 1 is repealed in
so far as it is inconsistent with the provisions of this Memorandum Order.

b. LEBMO No. 14 is likewise repealed.

Section 25. Separability clause. If any part of this LEBMO is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, all other provisions shall remain valid and effective.

Section 26. Effectivity. This LEBMO shall become effective 15 days after its publication
in a newspaper of general circulation and deposit in the National Administrative Register
of the University of the Philippines Law Center.

Issued under the seal of the Legal Education Board this 30th day of June, 2021 in Quezon
City.

Approved:

ZENAIDA N. ELEPAÑO
OIC Chairperson

24
 JOSEFE C. SORRERA-TY ABELARDO T. DOMONDON
Member Member

CATHERINE P. PEDROSA
Member

i Smith, B. L., & MacGregor, J. T. (n.d.) quoted in Active and Collaborative Learning. Teaching and Learning
Transformation Center, University of Maryland, USA. https://tltc.umd.edu/active-and-collaborative-learning.
ii Center for Teaching Innovation. (n.d.). Collaborative Learning. Cornell University, USA.
https://teaching.cornell.edu/teaching-resources/engaging-students/collaborative-learning.
iii Center for Educational Innovation. (n.d.). Constructivism. State University of New York at Buffalo, USA.

http://www.buffalo.edu/ubcei/enhance/learning/constructivism.html.
iv Australian Department of Education, Skills and Employment. (n.d.) Inquiry-based learning. Commonwealth of

Australia DESE. https://www.education.gov.au/national-stem-education-resources-toolkit/inquiry-based-learning.

v Mansilla, V. B. (2005). quoted in Miller, R. (n.d.). Integrative Learning. Peer Review Journal of the Association of

American Colleges and Universities. https://www.aacu.org/publications-research/periodicals/integrative-learning-

setting-stage-pedagogy-contemporary.
vi Center for Pedagogical Innovation (n.d.). Role of Reflection. Brock University, Canada.
https://brocku.ca/pedagogical-innovation/resources/experiential-education/role-of-reflection/.
vii Bajpai, G.S., & Kapur, N. (2018). Innovative Teaching Pedagogies in Law: A Critical Analysis of Methods and

Tools. Contemporary Law Review, 2. https://ssrn.com/abstract=3172741.

viii Harvard Law School. (n.d.). The Case Study Teaching Method. https://casestudies.law.harvard.edu/the-case-

study-teaching-method/.
ix Gurpur, S. (2020, March 1). 6 Reasons Why Experiential Learning Is Needed In Law Schools, BWEducation.

http://bweducation.businessworld.in/article/6-Reasons-Why-Experiential-Learning-Is-Needed-In-Law-Schools/01-
03-2020-185252/
x See Note vii
xi Ibid
xii
Ibid
xiii Ibid
xiv Ibid
xv Ibid
xvi Scholle, C. (2020, February 10). Understanding the Socratic Method of Teaching. Abraham Lincoln

University.https://www.alu.edu/alublog/understanding-the-socratic-method-of-teaching/.
xvii Phelps, E. J. (1982). Yale Law Journal, 1(4):140.
xviii Jones, Alwyn. (2010). Integrating ethics into the curriculum. UK Centre for Legal Education.

https://ials.sas.ac.uk/ukcle/78.158.56.101/archive/law/resources/teaching-and-learning-
strategies/curriculum/index.html.
xix Appleby, M. & Bourke, J., (2014). Promoting Law Student Mental Health Literacy and Wellbeing: A Case Study

from The College of Law, Australia. International Journal of Clinical Legal Education 20(1):461.
10.19164/ijcle.v20i1.18
xx International Mindfulness Teachers Association. (n.d.). Contact Hours and Non-Contact Hours.
https://www.imta.org/page/contacthours
xxi Wells, R. (2019, June 5). Leveraging Technology in the Legal Profession: A Law Student Reflection. Illinois

Supreme Court Commission on Civility. https://www.2civility.org/leveraging-technology-in-the-legal-profession-a-

law-student-reflection/
xxii Legal Education Board & University of the Philippines Law Center. (2021). Empirical Study on the State of Legal

Education in the Philippines. Unpublished report.

25