Supreme Court Ends SEE-LAW, Reduces Duration of LLB Program

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has suspended the SEE-LAW exam for foreign graduates and approved reducing the LLB degree duration from five to four years, marking a major legal education reform.

Mohammad Adil Mohammad Adil
Jun 25, 2025 - 18:28 Updated: Oct 6, 2025 - 11:23
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Supreme Court Ends SEE-LAW, Reduces Duration of LLB Program
Supreme Court Ends SEE-LAW, Reduces Duration of LLB Program

In a landmark reform for legal education, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has suspended the Special Equivalence Examination (SEE-LAW) for foreign law graduates and approved reducing the LLB degree duration from five years to four years. These changes aim to streamline legal  education and remove unnecessary barriers for aspiring lawyers.

SEE-LAW Exam Suspended

The court ruled that the SEE-LAW exam placed an unnecessary burden on foreign law graduates. Since these graduates are already required to pass the Law Graduate Assessment Test (LAW-GAT) to enroll with the bar, the additional SEE-LAW exam was deemed redundant.

The suspension applies to applicants whose bar enrollment cases are still pending, giving them a smoother path to registration.

LLB Program Duration Reduced

The Supreme Court also approved reducing the LLB program from five years to four years, aligning it with other undergraduate programs in Pakistan.

Key benefits of this change include:

  • Reduced academic burden on students

  • Lower educational costs

  • Faster entry into the legal profession

  • Standardization of legal education across the country

Official Response

Tahir Nasrullah Warraich, Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Bar Council, welcomed the reforms, calling them a positive step toward removing unnecessary obstacles for law graduates.

The move is also expected to raise the standard and consistency of legal education, encouraging more students to pursue a career in law and contributing to a stronger legal profession in Pakistan.

Impact of the Reforms

  • Foreign law graduates no longer need to sit for the SEE-LAW exam.

  • The four-year LLB program makes legal education comparable to other undergraduate degrees.

  • Graduates can now enter the job market sooner, benefiting both students and the legal community.

  • Overall, the reforms are expected to standardize legal education and strengthen the legal profession in Pakistan.

These reforms mark a historic step in modernizing legal education and creating a more efficient, fair, and standardized system for law students nationwide.