CANDIDATES for the Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP) are flustered over the second postponement of their examination this year, brought about by the third wave of Covid-19 infections which now total nearly 25,000 in Malaysia.

They told The Malaysian Insight the examination had been rescheduled for March, after it was postponed to December from July. They said the delays were causing them mental and financial stress. Some complained the double postponements meant they would be starting their legal careers late.

CLP is a nine-month qualifying course for Malaysian post-graduates with degrees from recognised UK, Australia and New Zealand universities as well as Universiti Malaya and Universiti Teknologi Mara to enter practice.

The examination is conducted by the Legal Profession Qualifying Board (LPQB) of Malaysia and governed by the Legal Profession Act 1976.

The students want LPQB to consider alternative ways of conducting the exam instead of postponing it.

According to the LPQB, the exam is postponed because of the surge in coronavirus cases.

A student who wanted to be known as Jackson said he had taken unpaid leave from work to study for the examination and was not “extremely stressed in terms of finances”.

Jackson said he left work in January to prepare for the examination that was scheduled to be held in July.

“My family has supported me all this while. Now my problems have been prolonged.”

Jackson said it was unnecessary to delay the exam to minimise the risk of infection.

He said there were many other ways to hold the event, the online solution being the most popular.

“As far as I know, other professional exams such as ACCA for accountants and CFA for financial analysts have been conducted online,” he said.

“Many world-renowned universities like Oxford, Cambridge and the University of London (which produced many of the CLP candidates) have done the same thing.”

There were also other ways for the students to sit for the exam if the board insisted on the students’ physical presence, he said.

“For example, examinations can be held in different centres in each state, or according to zones.”

Every year, an estimated 3,000 students from all over the country sit for the CLP examination.

Another student who wished to be anonymous said the delay was more pressure on him.

“For me, running a family and having bills to pay is a major concern financially. These delays will only add to my problems.

“I’m disappointed to say the least. Some who are fortunate can take the bar exams which is way easier,” he said.

“Those who don’t have the means are stuck with the CLP and we’re at the mercy of the board, local university students do not have to sit for the the bar or CLP,” he said.

Like Jackson, the 35 year-old also said the CLP board should consider conducting the examination online.

“Perhaps they can take as a model the UK bar examinations, where they have online examinations and also oral examinations. CLP examinations are all about memory skills where students are not tested on interpersonal skills and hands-on skills.”

Delayed career

Syarifah Nur Anisah, 24, said a delay in the exams meant a delay in her legal career.

She said she was required to serve six years at the bank that granted her a scholarship.

“The postponement will delay my career timeline as after the CLP exams – assuming I pass in the first round – it is mandatory for us to undertake a pupillage to be called to the Bar.”

She said the seven months of delay along with her six-year bond meant she would only start her career in law at the age of 31, at the earliest.

That is quite a late entry into litigation or the Attorney-General’s Chambers, she said.

Another student who wished to remain anonymous said she was struggling to keep her studies fresh in mind for the exam.

“It’s been months and it’s hard to keep up with studying and trying to keep all that information fresh in my head,” she said.

“On the other hand, with the recent spike in cases, I’m relieved in a way because I won’t be stuck in a hall with many people not knowing if anyone has Covid-19.”

However, there must be a better solution than this, she said.

“Instead maybe the board could consider having the exams carried out in multiple examination centres rather than having it in one examination centre.”

She suggested that the board could also have it in phases so smaller groups of students can sit for the exams at different times.

“My friends and I have already spent so much time and money, I just hope that the Board will do something about it. Times are tough, we don’t need one more thing to stress over,” she said.

The Malaysian Insight has reached out to the CLP board for comment and is waiting for a response. – October 26, 2020.