Ordinance on the Bar Examination (Bar Examination Ordinance, AnwPV) (Anwaltsprüfungsverordnung, AnwPV) - Subject Matter (ANWPV)

1. This regulation governs the examinations conducted by the supervisory commission and the fees owed in this context.

1. The bar examinations are generally conducted in the spring and in the fall.

1. The Supervisory Commission announces the examination dates and the details regarding the application for admission at least ten weeks in advance in the Cantonal Gazette.

1. The application for admission to the bar examination must be submitted to the supervisory commission within the announced deadline using the provided form, accompanied by the following documents

a) a concise curriculum vitae;

b) a current private extract from the Swiss Federal Criminal Records;

c) a current extract from the Debt Enforcement and Bankruptcy Register;

d) proof of completed legal studies at a Swiss university or an equivalent qualification from a foreign university;

e) proof of the required legal practical experience.

2. Attempts to take the examination in other cantons must be indicated in the application for admission to the bar examination.

1. The bar examination consists of a written and an oral part.

2. It is not public.

1. The written examination includes a case study. Generally, a legal opinion as well as appropriate or necessary applications and legal briefs must be prepared.

2. The written examination lasts ten hours.

3. Permissible aids will be announced in advance. Additional aids may be provided on the examination day.

4. The written examination is taken by all candidates simultaneously under supervision.

1. Candidates who achieve at least a grade of 3.5 in the written examination will be admitted to the oral examination.

2. The following areas of law will be examined in the oral examination

a) Civil Procedure Law;

b) Criminal Procedure Law;

c) Cantonal Constitutional Law and Constitutional Jurisdiction;

d) Cantonal Administrative Law and Cantonal Administrative Procedure Law;

e) Introductory Act to the Swiss Civil Code and Attorneys' Law.

3. The oral examination lasts at least one and a half hours.

4. No aids are permitted.

5. Candidates will be examined individually.

1. Candidates who fail to attend the bar examination or do not complete the bar examination must immediately inform the supervisory committee and provide the necessary documentation to demonstrate a valid excuse.

2. If there is a valid excuse, the exams taken before the interruption will be credited upon resumption.

1. A person acts dishonestly if they complete the bar examination using unauthorized or undeclared aids or with external assistance.

2. The use of unauthorized aids particularly includes carrying unauthorized communication and information devices.

3. If external assistance is obtained or an unauthorized aid is used, the examination proctor shall promptly confiscate the unauthorized aid, secure evidence of dishonest behavior, and inform the supervisory commission thereof.

1. The written examination and the oral examination are graded for each subject with marks ranging from 1 to 6 (using half marks). A mark of 6 represents the highest grade, while a mark of 1 represents the lowest. A mark of 4 is sufficient.

2. For the final overall assessment, the mark of the written examination and the unrounded average mark of the oral examination are of equal importance. The bar examination is passed if the candidate achieves a rounded average mark of at least 4 from both examinations.

3. If the overall examination is not passed, it must be retaken.

1. The attorney's patent is issued in the form of a diploma and a resolution.

2. The issuance of the attorney's patent is published in the Cantonal Official Gazette.

1. The Supervisory Commission conducts the bar examination and issues the attorney's license.

2. It maintains a register of the issued attorney's licenses.

1. Applicants are required to pay the following fees

a) for the examination pursuant to Article 9 of the Advocates Act: CHF 900.-

b) for the issuance of the attorney's license and the publication as well as the registration of the acquisition of the attorney's license in the register: CHF 100.-

c) for the aptitude test pursuant to Article 31 of the Federal Act on the Free Movement of Lawyers: CHF 900.-

d) for the interview pursuant to Article 32 of the Federal Act on the Free Movement of Lawyers: CHF 650.-

2. If an applicant is not admitted to the oral examination, a refund of 300 Swiss Francs is granted.

1. Attorney examinations according to the old examination regulations will be conducted for the last time in June 2023.

2. For candidates who take the attorney examination after this date, the new examination regulations apply.