Advocate License Exam

The Advocate Level Examination, conducted by the Nepal Bar Council, is a crucial step in your journey towards law practice. Starting from the 31st Advocate Level, this new curriculum is designed to assess your professional competence according to a specific curriculum. 

A. Written Test 

The first phase of the examination is a written test, carrying a total of 200 marks. It consists of two papers, and you need to pass each paper individually. To be successful, you must score at least 50 percent on each paper. Only those who pass both papers are deemed successful.

First Paper: 

The first paper, a fundamental subject, focuses on the Constitution and Law. It carries a total of 60 marks, while the specialized subjects account for 40 marks. The paper consists of 100 multiple-choice questions, and you need to score a minimum of 50 marks to pass. Importantly, there is no negative marking, so you can answer all questions without fear of deduction. 

Second Paper: The second paper is about drafting documents (मस्यौदा लेखन) and translation.
Section (a) Drafts of pleadings in civil cases, drafts of petitions in criminal cases, and drafts related to litigation carry 90 marks, 30 marks for each draft (3*30=90 marks). 

Section (b) Translation from legal Nepali to English and from legal English to Nepali will carry five marks each (2*5=10 marks)

Nepal Bar Council has introduced a new syllabus to standardize the Advocate License Examination. The syllabus comprises a written exam (Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs), legal drafting, translation), internships, and an interview.  For candidates who are successful in the written examinations, it consists of a written examination followed by an in-person interview.

B. Debate Presentation and Interview

Only candidates who have passed the written examination will be eligible to participate in this phase. The interview will be worth 20 marks. The pass score will be ten marks. The interview will focus on the following topics:

1. Code of Conduct for Lawyers, Rules of Procedure of the Disciplinary Committee of the Nepal Bar Council (5 marks)
2. Limits of Advocacy and Judicial Discipline (5 marks)
3. Art of Debate and Debate Ethics (10 marks)

Note: Each candidate's interview will last at least 15 minutes. Each candidate must present a debate sample on the specified topic for at least 8 minutes. The Interview Committee will interview on the topic specified above for at least 7 minutes.

C. Internship

Candidates who have passed the written examination and interview will be sent for internship. The duration of the internship will be a minimum of thirty working days. 

While conducting the internship, the supervisor will continuously monitor the candidate's practical progress and submit a report detailing the improvement in the candidate's practical skills and related recommendations to the concerned authority. Upon receiving satisfactory recommendations regarding the work done during the internship, the council will evaluate and issue the advocate license.

D. Basic Training

Candidates included in the final examination results for the advocate license will be enrolled in a three-day basic training program after completing the internship session.