Established in 1734, it is the first lay law school in the Philippines.[1] It is among the top performing and prestigious law schools in the Philippines, consistently topping the Bar Examinations.Jose Hontiveros, who graduated the university in 1911, holds the highest bar exam grade in the history ofbar examinations in the Philippines.[2][3] The faculty has produced numerous alumni in government, public service and the academe globally.
Facade of the UST Main Building which houses the Faculty of Civil Law
Known asFacultad 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.[4]
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.[4]
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.[4]
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.[5]
As a final graduation requirement, a student undergoes aRevalida, an oral recitation covering the most important aspects of every subject in the Philippine Bar Examinations. An applicant for graduation must pass theRevalida,Mid-term Examinations,Final Examinations, daily class recitations, quizzes, and special projects to graduate and be qualified to take the Philippine Bar Exam.[5]
The Faculty remains one of the top performing law schools in thenational bar exams.[6]
Since 2017, University of Santo Tomas started offering higher law degrees through theUST Graduate School of Law. Prior this, the Faculty of Civil Law, through theUniversity of Santo Tomas Graduate School Law Department administers the program content and delivery of advanced courses in legal education. These postgraduate programs are made available only to holders ofBachelor of Laws andJuris Doctor degrees from accredited law schools in the Philippines and other countries.[8]
Doctor of Civil Law (DCL) - the first and so far only doctoral program in law offered in the Philippines.[8] Notable alumni include Supreme Court Late Chief JusticeRenato Corona, late Manila MayorRamon D. Bagatsing, Sr. and Sandiganbayan Justice Catalino R. Castañeda Jr.[9]
Victorino Mapa, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines
Manuel Araullo, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines
Ramón Avanceña, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines
Roberto Concepcion, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines; 1986 Constitutional Commission Member; 1st placer (89.1%), 1924 Bar Exams
Andres Narvasa, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines; 2nd placer, 1951 Bar Exams
Renato Corona, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines
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.[12]
^abRufus Rodriguez.Slaying The Bar Exams Dragon. Rex Bookstore, 2002.
^Justice Jose Hontiveros obtained a grade of 98% in 1911. See "Profiles of Chief Justices and Associate Justices," p. 146.
^See "Top 100 Overall scorers" table under "Bar Topnotchers" tab in Philippine Bar Examinations wikipedia page showing comparison of scores from all topnotchers from 1901 to present time.
^abcOfficial Prospectus, University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law. 2006 Issue.
^abOfficial Law Curriculum, University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law, 2006.
^Statistical Data of Bar Passing Rates, Office of the Bar Confidant, Supreme Court of the Philippines, 1997-2006.
^Office of the Faculty Secretary, University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law. Records from 2000 to 2006.
^abcOfficial Prospectus, University of Santo Tomas Graduate School. 2006 Issue.
^abList of members, University of Santo Tomas Law Alumni Association, 2006.
^The Law School Monitor, official newsletter of University of Santo Tomas Legal Management Society. 2001 Issue.
