Studying law in a crisis: LL.B. as a new safety net for students?

Studying law in a crisis: LL.B. as a new safety net for students?

The discussion about reforming legal education in Germany has gained momentum. Faculties at the universities of Tübingen, Heidelberg and Freiburg are calling on politicians to immediately introduce an integrated Bachelor of Laws (LL. B.). With this qualification, students could acquire a university degree earlier in their studies, provided they are “certificate-free” and have passed the relevant university examination. This reform, which has been discussed for years, could significantly reduce the pressure on students and give them additional career options, especially for those who do not pass the state examination.

The draft law provides that the LL. B. is viewed as an independent bachelor's degree and does not require any additional examinations. Instead, previous academic achievements could be recognized. The model is supported, among others, by the Baden-Württemberg State Association of Law Schools, which is calling for rapid implementation. The introduction of the LL. B. is seen as a possible “safety net” for students who are enrolled in one of the most demanding fields of study in Germany and could reduce the competitive disadvantage compared to other locations, as the universities in Tübingen, Heidelberg and Freiburg in particular are disadvantaged by current practice, such as uni-freiburg.de reported.

Expectations of the LL. b.

The expectations of the new LL. B. are high. The aim of the degree is not only to reduce the pressure of examinations, but also to make studying law more attractive overall. The justice ministers of the federal states have generally spoken out in favor of the reform, but are calling for more detailed consultations on the planned changes. According to a 2020 survey, 74% of respondents believe that the LL. B. would reduce exam pressure. However, there are also critical voices: Some lawyers warn of the risk that this degree will be perceived as a “loser degree” and could therefore increase the pressure on students rsw.beck.de notes.

The current structures of law studies are comprehensive and demanding. For many students, the path to the first state examination can take five to six years, including a minimum two-year traineeship. During this time they have to take numerous exams, with over 90% passing successfully - however, around a third of the examinees fail on the first attempt. This high failure rate leads to considerable psychological pressure, as psychologists emphasize. The reform initiatives aim to adapt training to the realities of life of today's students, which is also underlined by the association "Alliance for the Reform of Legal Education" with over 40 reform proposals, such as deutschlandfunk.de reported.

The topicality of the discussion is reflected not only in the demands of the universities, but also in the comprehensive needs of the students. Over 70% of students support the introduction of an integrated bachelor's degree. The need to modernize legal education through digitalization and the inclusion of legal tech is also a key concern. However, educational reforms have their own challenges, blessed by political blockages while jurisprudence and educational requirements are continually under scrutiny.