Bar exam
The final step to become an advocate is the Bar admission exam.
It consists of two tests, each consisting of three hypothetical cases. Each test is considered passed if the candidate accumulates at least 45 points out of a maximum of 60 points. For each subject, the maximum score is 20 points. The final score of each test is the average of the score given by the members of the Licensing Commission. Only the candidates who have passed the written test are admitted to the second phase of the exam – the oral test.
To participate at the Bar admission exam, the following documents are submitted.
To participate at the Bar admission exam under the conditions of Article 10 paragraph (2) of the Law on Advocacy, the following documents are submitted.
The written test usually involves drafting procedural documents, while the oral test assesses the ability of the candidate to form, present and defend opinions on legal issues.
In 2021-2023, the promotion rate for the Bar admission exam has been approximately 50%.
The Licensing Commission adopts a decision regarding each test, including the candidate’s final score and the score given by each member of the Commission. This decision is published on the website of the Union.
Candidates can contest the decisions regarding test failure within 3 days from publication of the results. Appeals should be submitted to the headquarters of the Union and are examined by the Appeal Committee. It is an ad-hoc body, consisting of 5 advocates appointed by the Council of the Union. Committee members are randomly selected in 48 hours after the expiration of the deadline for appeals.
The Appeal Committee examines the appeals within 7 working days and its decisions are published on the Union of Advocates’ website within 24 hours from adoption.
After reviewing the appeals, the decision regarding the results of the qualification exam is sent to the Ministry of Justice.
The license to practice law is issued by the Ministry of Justice within 10 days of application submission, upon payment of a 450 lei fee.
The advocate’s license is the only document attesting the qualification of the advocate. It is issued for an unlimited period of time and is valid within the territory of the Republic of Moldova.
After obtaining the license, advocates have the obligation to choose a form of organisation: either an advocate’s office or an associated advocates’ office.
Registration of the organizational forms is done by submitting an application to the Ministry of Justice, accompanied by the required documents.
The advocate can practice law only after registering the organisational form and taking the oath in front of the Council of the Union.