University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law

The University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law or "UST Law" (as distinguished from the Faculty of Canon Law), is the law school of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines.

University of Santo Tomas
Faculty of Civil Law
Established1734 (1734)
DeanAtty. Nilo T. Divina, LL.B.
RegentRev. Fr. Isidro Abano, O.P.
Students700+ (as of 2015)
Location
Main Building, UST, Sampaloc, Manila
Patron saintSaint Raymond of Peñafort
Colors  Red
Websitewww.ustcivillaw.com

Established in 1734, it is the first law school in the Philippines.[1] It is one of the Top Performing Law Schools in the Philippine Bar Examinations. The faculty has produced numerous alumni in government, public service and the academe.

Facade of the UST Main Building which houses the Faculty of Civil Law

History

Known as Facultad de Derecho Civil, the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law is the oldest lay college in the University as well in the Philippines.[1] It was established on September 2, 1734, the same year that the Faculty of Canon Law was founded, with a curriculum identical to that adopted during the time in leading universities in Europe.[2]

The number of subjects in the curriculum was later enriched and expanded. During the major part of the Spanish regime the course consisted of twelve semesters (six years), based upon a year of preparatory work.[2]

On several occasions during the American regime, the University of Santo Tomas modified the curriculum of the Faculty of Civil Law in order to meet the changing conditions. But firm in the resolve of turning out worthy members of the Bar and practical Catholic lawyers, the University adhered to its basic policy of retaining in its curriculum important subjects introduced during the Spanish regime in order to fully accomplish the aims and purposes of a sound Catholic legal education.[2]

Curriculum

The Faculty maintains a curriculum of mandatory law courses, focusing on the eight subjects covered in the Philippine Bar Examinations. Upon completing all law courses for the first three years in the program, the student is required to engage in an internship program of at least two-hundred hours before being admitted to the fourth and final year.[3]

As a final graduation requirement, a student undergoes a Revalida, an oral recitation covering the most important aspects of every subject in the Philippine Bar Examinations. He must pass the Revalida, Mid-term Examinations, Final Examinations, daily class recitations, quizzes, and special projects to graduate and be qualified to take the Philippine Bar Exam.[3]

The Faculty remains one of the top performing law schools in the national bar exams.[4]

The Faculty requires applicants to hold at least a bachelor's degree in any field, provided they meet certain academic requisites. Majority of graduates have completed preparatory law degrees in Asian Studies, Sociology, Legal Management, Political Science, Accountancy, and Philosophy.[5]

The Faculty, through the Law Department of the University of Santo Tomas Graduate School, administers the program content and delivery of advanced courses in legal education. These postgraduate programs are made available only to holders of Bachelor of Laws and Juris Doctor degrees from accredited law schools in the Philippines and other countries.[6]

At present, the following postgraduate programs are offered:

Alumni

This is a list of notable alumni of the school.[7][8][9]

Faculty

The faculty has a pool of full-time law professors and part-time professorial lecturers from both the public and private sectors. Most have held high positions in the judiciary and other branches of the Philippine government.[10]

See also

References
  1. Rufus Rodriguez. Slaying The Bar Exams Dragon. Rex Bookstore, 2002.
  2. Official Prospectus, University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law. 2006 Issue.
  3. Official Law Curriculum, University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law, 2006.
  4. Statistical Data of Bar Passing Rates, Office of the Bar Confidant, Supreme Court of the Philippines, 1997-2006.
  5. Office of the Faculty Secretary, University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law. Records from 2000 to 2006.
  6. Official Prospectus, University of Santo Tomas Graduate School. 2006 Issue.
  7. List of members, University of Santo Tomas Law Alumni Association, 2006.
  8. The Law School Monitor, official newsletter of University of Santo Tomas Legal Management Society. 2001 Issue.
  9. "List of bar topnotchers at the Supreme Court of the Philippines Website. Last accessed 5/21/2007". Archived from the original on 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  10. Faculty list, University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law, 2006.

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