Mariano Marcos
State University

29 MMSU law students now certified for limited practice

By Ian Paul Villanueva

Twenty-nine students of the Mariano Marcos State University - College of Law (COL) obtained Level 1 Certification as law student practitioners (LSPs) on September 2 at the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 18, Batac City.

Their oath was administered by Executive Judge Maria Corazon Labrador. The new law student practitioners were accompanied by COL members Atty. Lorma Quibilan-Cuadro, Atty. Ma. Saniata Marcos and Atty. Jenrietta Camille Rivera.

The 29 LSPs were certified as part of the COL’s Clinical Legal Education Program, which is designed to give law students “practical knowledge, skills, and values necessary for the application of the law, delivery of legal services and promotion of social justice and public interest,” pursuant to Rule 138-A of the Rules of Court.

The said rule also sets the qualifications, practice areas, and other guidelines for law student practice. Level 1-certified LSPs may interview prospective clients, give legal advice, negotiate on their behalf, draft legal documents, represent eligible parties in administrative bodies, provide public legal orientation, and assist in public interest advocacies.

Only students who were able to hurdle all their first-year subjects were qualified under the rule to apply for a Level 1 Certification. Meanwhile, the higher Level 2 Certification, which has a broader scope of practice, may only be applied for by third-year law students.