CLP vs BPTC Malaysia – Excel Education | Study in Australia, Malaysia, the UK & Canada

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What is CLP and BPTC?

The choice between the CLP and the BPTC can appear daunting, with Law graduates frequently pondering which path to pursue to advance their legal careers and how their decision will affect them. Permit us to shed light on the available options and their potential impact on your legal career.

CLP stands for Certificate in Legal Practice. It is a professional course offered in Malaysia for Law graduates to become qualified Lawyers. After completing an undergraduate Law Degree such as a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), graduates in Malaysia must complete the CLP to become qualified advocates and solicitors. The course typically takes 9 months to complete and focuses on practical legal skills such as legal drafting, advocacy, and legal research. Upon completing the CLP, graduates can be admitted as advocates and solicitors in Malaysia.

LLB stands for Bachelor of Laws and is an undergraduate Law Degree that is typically required to become a Lawyer in many countries, including Malaysia and the United Kingdom.

The Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) is a post-graduate programme that enables Law graduates to become barristers in England and Wales. Several institutions offer training and classes for this course, which are conducted in collaboration with four inns of court: Lincoln’s Inn, Middle Temple, Inner Temple, and Gray’s Inn. Choosing an Inn is a mandatory requirement for BPTC students, although there is no specific reason to prefer one inn over another. Lincoln’s Inn tends to be a popular choice among Asian students, as it offers greater racial diversity within the inn. On the other hand, inns like the Inner Temple have a more traditional atmosphere.

It’s important to note that the choice of inn does not impact your course studies or results. It primarily caters to different cultural preferences and networking systems that students may prefer to engage with.

CLP vs BPTC

The CLP and BPTC are two types of professional courses for those who want to become Lawyers. The CLP is a one-year course in Malaysia that focuses on Malaysian Law and is entirely exam-based. On the other hand, the BPTC is a course in the UK that takes a mix of exams and practical assignments.

In the CLP, you’ll need to study volumes on Malaysian Law, which can be challenging compared to what you studied in your pre-U and Degree classes. You’ll have one chance to retake a failed subject paper, and failing two or more subjects means you need to retake the entire exam from scratch.

In the BPTC, you’ll need to complete eight compulsory modules and two elective subjects, and you’ll receive practical lessons in live advocacy training to prepare you for the field. You’ll have multiple chances to re-sit any failed papers, and you need to attend at least ten Qualifying Sessions at your chosen Inn of Court.

In summary, the CLP is exam-based with a focus on Malaysian Law, while the BPTC takes a mix of exams and practical assignments with a focus on UK-based Law. The BPTC also offers more opportunities to retake failed papers and requires attendance at Qualifying Sessions.

To make it easier to understand, CLP and BPTC can be compared like this:

	CLP	BPTC
Assessment Format	Entirely exam-based	Mix of exams and practical assignments
Practical Training	None	Practical lessons in the form of live advocacy training
Course Duration	9 months	One year
Course Structure	8 compulsory modules and 2 elective subjects	8 compulsory modules and 2 elective subjects
Geographic Focus	Focuses on the application of Malaysian Law	Focuses on UK-based Law
Exam Format	3-hour long exam covering 5 subjects	Exams in written and practical form
Exam Retakes	Given one opportunity to re-sit a failed subject paper, failing 2 or more subjects would result in needing to retake the entire exam from scratch	Given multiple chances to re-sit any failed papers
Qualifying Sessions	No Qualifying Sessions required	Attend at least 10 Qualifying Sessions at their chosen Inn of Court

Additional note to consider: It is also wise to consider the financial aspects of the respective courses, given that as a UK-based programme, the BPTC is much more expensive than the CLP. Do not forget to factor in other considerations, such as personal skills that need bolstering, e.g. public speaking, networking, memorising, and many more.

For more information on the table presented above, contact us now!

What qualification do you need to take CLP?

In order to qualify as a candidate for the CLP examination, based on the Legal Profession Qualifying Board of Malaysia you must fulfil the following criteria:

A) A minimum of 5 credits at SPM level or its equivalent obtained in one and the same examination.

The qualifications which are accepted as equivalent to SPM are as follows:

GCE ‘O’ level examinations by the U.K. Boards; OR
the Singapore Cambridge GCE ‘O’ level

B) A minimum of 2 principal passes at STPM level or its equivalent obtained in one and the same examination. The duration of the STPM course or its equivalent shall be a minimum of 1 academic year.

The qualifications which are accepted as equivalent to STPM are as follows:

‘A’ level (passes at Advanced Level) by the U.K. Boards;
the Singapore Cambridge GCE ‘A’ level; OR
the Unified Examination Certificate; OR
Foundation from IPTA or IPTS*; OR
Matriculation Certificate from Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia*; OR
Diploma from IPTA or IPTS*; OR
First Degree from IPTA or IPTS*; OR
International Baccalaureate Diploma*

*Note: The programme offered must be approved by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and/or the Ministry of Education (MOE).

Note: To become a Lawyer in Malaysia, you need to have a Law Degree that is recognised. This Degree should have been studied for at least 3 academic years and should cover a minimum of 12 Law subjects. Out of these 12 subjects, you must have passed 6 core subjects (Law of Contract, Law of Torts, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Land Law, and Equity & Trusts), which each should have been studied for 1 academic year.

Pathway to Become a Lawyer in Malaysia

Complete a recognised Pre-University or equivalent programme

After completing your SPM or anything equivalent, you can either choose to further your study in

Any Foundation which will take you only 1 year to complete
STPM/Matriculation/A-Levels/SACE/Equivalent or
Diploma in Law which will take you 3 years to complete before you pursue your Degree in Law

Law graduate from an accredited university

Upon successful completion of a pre-university course, you can move on to pursue a Law Degree. There are two types of Law Degrees available which are

A 3-year programme and
A 4-year programme that includes a professional year

By pursuing a 3-year Law Degree, you will acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to qualify as a Lawyer. The programme includes important legal topics such as the Law of Contract, the Law of Torts, Constitutional Law, and Criminal Law. To pursue this degree, you have the option to attend private institutions in Malaysia or universities abroad. However, it is important to select a recognised programme to prevent any legal practice limitations in Malaysia.

On the other hand, a 4-year Law Degree not only imparts the necessary skills and knowledge but also offers professional experience. Throughout this programme, you will be covered with several topics such as the Law of Evidence, Criminal Procedure, Civil Procedure, and Professional Practice. Typically, only Malaysian public universities provide this Degree programme. Thus, it’s essential to select a recognised programme by LPQB to ensure that you’re eligible to practise Law in Malaysia in the future.

Earn a Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP) or Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC)

Individuals who have earned a Law degree must meet the requirements of either the Certificate in Legal Practise (CLP), a Malaysian qualification, or the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC), a qualification based in the United Kingdom, in order to begin their legal profession as a Pupil-in-Chambers, as stated in Section 3 of the Legal Profession Act 1976.

To practise as a Lawyer in Malaysia after completing your degree in Law, passing a professional Law exam is required. To become a qualified Lawyer, individuals can choose between two options: completing the Certificate of Legal Practice (CLP) or the Bar Practising Course.

The Legal Profession Qualifying Board of Malaysia (LPQB) conducts the CLP, which is a professional Law exam and 9-month course. There are multiple private colleges in Malaysia that provide this course. The CLP exam is comprised of five papers: General Paper, Civil Procedure, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, and Professional Practice. To successfully complete the programme, it is required to pass all 5 subjects in the Main Examination, which typically takes place in July. In case of failing one subject, you will be granted a conditional pass and given the opportunity to retake the exam up to two times during the Supplementary Examination. Retaking all 5 subjects is required if a student fails two or more papers. The CLP allows a maximum of four attempts, which includes the first Main Examination and three resits. In case you do not pass any of the four attempts, you will be required to register again for the CLP and pay the complete fees.

In the UK, you have the option to pursue the Bar Professional Training Course, previously known as the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC). Law graduates can choose between two options to further their legal education: the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) in the UK or the Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP) offered by the Legal Profession Qualifying Board (LPQB) in Malaysia.

Undergo Pupillage (known as “Chambering”)

Pupillage, also known as chambering, is a period of industrial experience or internship that Law graduates need to complete in order to be called to the Malaysian bar. Upon completing the CLP or BPTC, you will be required to undertake pupillage. Graduates who are exempted from the CLP can start their pupillage immediately after their Degree.

During your 9-month pupillage, you will work under the guidance of a senior counsel or master who has at least 7 years of experience, in order to gain an understanding of the tasks of an advocate and solicitor. You may be involved in activities such as conducting research to assist your senior counsel in preparing for a case, drafting pleadings, preparing written statements (affidavits), interviewing clients, and observing senior advocates during court trials.

Pupils are also required to complete an Ethics and Professional Standards course and spend 14 days providing free legal advice to the public on topics such as Women’s Rights, Criminal Matters, Syariah Law, or Migrant Rights.

Upon completion of your pupillage, you will be called to the bar and admitted and enrolled as an advocate and solicitor, marking the end of your journey to becoming a qualified Lawyer.

Additional note: The duration of pupillage in East Malaysia is different from Peninsular Malaysia. If you want to be admitted as an advocate and solicitor of the High Court of Malaya in Peninsular Malaysia, you need to undergo pupillage for 9 months. But in East Malaysia, you have to undergo pupillage for 12 months to be admitted to the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak.

Top universities to study Law in Malaysia

1. Taylor’s University

Taylor’s University is a private university located in Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. It was established in 1969 as a college before being upgraded to university status in 2010. The university offers a wide range of programmes at the Foundation, Diploma, bachelor’s Degree, and postgraduate levels in fields such as Business, Law, Engineering, Medicine, Hospitality, and more.

Taylor’s University’s Bachelor of Laws (Honours) programme is recognized by the Legal Profession Qualifying Board, Malaysia. The Law Degree provides an in-depth understanding of legal doctrines and concepts in various areas of law. Students will learn about many key areas of law, including contract law, criminal law, constitutional law, property law, and more. By integrating theoretical studies with practical experience, students develop the skills to apply these principles effectively in various factual scenarios.

Programme Offered	Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
Duration	3 Years
Intake	February, April, September
Indicative Fees (2024)	Local students: RM 122,954 International students: USD 31,783

2. University of Reading Malaysia

University of Reading is a branch campus of the University of Reading, located in Johor, Malaysia. It was established in 2019, and offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in various disciplines, including business, accounting, finance, psychology, and law.

The University of Reading is known for producing law graduates who are well-rounded and highly adaptable. The Law Degree is recognized by the Legal Professional Qualifying Board (LPQB) and provides good balance of academic learning and practical experience. Students will be exposed to problem-solving approach in which they will be presented with real-life cases to examine and discuss. This helps students develop important skills like presentation, arguing, negotiation, and resolving disputes. There is also an opportunity for students to spend one or even two years at the Reading UK campus.

Programme Offered	Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)
Duration	3 – 3.5 years
Intake	April, July, September
Indicative Fees (2024)	Local students: RM 112, 800 International students: 135, 600

3. Brickfields Asia College (BAC)

Brickfields Asia College (BAC) is a private tertiary education institution located in Malaysia. Established in 1991, BAC is known for its law programmes, particularly the United Kingdom (UK) law programmes offered in partnership with the University of London and the University of Northumbria.

Brickfields is one of the institutions affiliated with The University of London (UOL) for the LLB undergraduate degree. The programme offered by BAC is recognised by the Legal Profession Qualifying Board of Malaysia (LPQB) for entry into the Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP) examinations and by the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) in the UK. BAC also offers several other undergraduate Law programmes in partnership with various overseas universities.

Programme Offered	LLB (Hons), University of London, Brickfields Asia College
Duration	3 Years
Intake	January, April, June, September
Indicative Fees (2024)	Local students: RM 77,000 International students: RM 92,000

4. Multimedia University (MMU)

Multimedia University (MMU) is a private university in Malaysia with campuses located in Cyberjaya, and Melaka. It was established in 1996 and is known for its expertise in ICT (Information and Communications Technology) and creative multimedia.

The Bachelor of Law (Hons.) at MMU is one of the Law programmes which is exempted from the CLP examination. Studying Law at MMU grants you with multiple opportunities including programmes with disciplines such as Cyber Law, IT Law, and Multimedia Law, a three-month legal attachment programme, highly experienced Law lecturers, and participation in mooting competitions.

Programme Offered	Bachelor of Law (Hons.)
Duration	4 Years
Intake	March, July, October
Indicative Fees (2024)	Local students: RM75,000

5. HELP University

HELP University is a higher education learning institution dedicated to making a meaningful impact towards their students and graduates through education. Having two campus locations in Malaysia, HELP has steadily shown growth and development into an institution centering on sound academic standards and continuous improvements as well as broad collaborative partnerships with other learning institutions and professional industries.

The Faculty of Law and Government of HELP University strives to produce law graduates with knowledge, attributes, skills, and competencies necessary in professional legal industries. The Faculty offers a comprehensive curriculum imbued with student and faculty-led publications on Law advancements, professional development courses, guest lectures, visits to courts and the Parliament, as well as opportunities for transfer with partner universities in the UK.

Programme Offered

Duration

Intake

Indicative Fees (2024)

Bachelor of Laws (Hons)

3 Years

January, May, August

Local Students:

RM 68,900

International Students:

RM 68,900

UK Degree Transfer Programme (Law)

2 Years

December, July, September