Bar exam registration starts January 8

MANILA, Philippines — Applicants for the 2025 Bar examinations may register beginning Jan. 8, the Supreme Court said.

The SC also scheduled the oath-taking and roll-signing ceremonies of successful 2024 Bar examinees on Jan. 24 at the SMX Convention Center in Manila.

In a post on X, the SC advised those interested to register via the Bar Applicant Registration Information System and Tech Assistance or BARISTA Services.

“BARISTA may be accessed through the Philippine Judicial portal beginning 8 a.m. of the same day,” the SC said.

This year’s Bar exams will be chaired by Associate Justice Amy Lazaro-Javier.

In its Bar Bulletin 1, the Office of the 2025 Bar Chairperson said the six core subjects covered in the examination would be spread into three days and would remain digitalized and localized.

“Two subjects shall be taken per examination day, each in the morning and afternoon periods. The morning period shall begin at 8 a.m. and end at 12 noon, and the afternoon period shall begin at 2 p.m. and end at 6 p.m.,” the bulletin reads.

The six subjects are political and public international law, commercial and taxation laws, civil law, labor law and social legislations, criminal law as well as remedial law, legal and judicial ethics with practical exercises.

As for the oath-taking and roll signing ceremonies, 2024 Bar exams chair Associate Justice Mario Lopez announced that the new lawyers could already pay their Integrated Bar of the Philippines membership dues starting Jan. 25.