Vietnam proposes streamlined process for becoming a lawyer

Vietnam is moving towards a more efficient and accessible legal profession with proposed reforms to the Law on Lawyers. The National Assembly Standing Committee recently convened to discuss significant legislative proposals, including a draft law aimed at simplifying the path to becoming a lawyer.

Minister of Justice Hoàng Thanh Tùng presented the draft law, which proposes a substantial reduction in the number of articles from 56 to 36, organized into six chapters. A key reform is the streamlining of the lawyer qualification process, condensing the current four distinct stages into just two. This involves merging the steps of joining a bar association and registering for practical training into a single "joining the bar association for practical training" phase. Furthermore, the assessment of practical training results and the issuance of a practicing certificate will be combined into a single national bar examination.

National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn emphasized that the revisions are comprehensive, focusing on cultivating a corps of lawyers with strong political conviction, professional ethics, and specialized competence. He lauded the proposed simplification of the lawyer qualification process and the trainee lawyer system as significant advancements. These changes are expected to reduce administrative burdens, enhance practical training opportunities, and improve the quality of incoming lawyers through a rigorous national examination, aligning with broader efforts to cut business conditions.

However, Mẫn stressed the importance of ensuring the national examination is substantive, guarding against rote memorization, and incorporating elements of litigation skills and professional ethics. The evaluation should encompass both theoretical knowledge and practical application to effectively assess aspiring lawyers. The committee also discussed other draft laws, including amendments to competition, measurement, and consumer protection laws.