As established under the law and jurisprudence, law students shall enjoy their full constitutional and statutory rights during their stay in the LEI. These rights shall be protected, promoted, and upheld at all times, without prejudice to recognized legal limitations and the academic freedom granted to institutions of higher learning.[1]
Among the recognized constitutional and statutory rights of law students, the following protections shall be emphasized during their law studies: [2]
Right to quality legal education. Every law student has the right to receive competent instruction, and relevant and quality legal education, which shall be delivered to them by the LEI to the best of its ability and the ability of the law professors.
Right to be informed of the academic standards. Every law student has the right to be formally informed in writing of the academic standards of the LEI that will be applied to them. The law school shall provide every law student with a complete and comprehensive LEI student handbook whether physical or digital upon admission.
Right to access the complete list of courses. Every law student has the right to access the complete list of courses to be offered prior to the start of enrollment for each term.
Right to a syllabus. Every law student has the right to access course syllabi at the beginning of a term or semester. The course syllabi shall include, at the minimum, the full course description, the learning objectives, the reference materials utilized in the course, the grading system, the course requirements and submission dates, and the assessment consequences of the non0submission of requirements.
Right to be enrolled in mandated courses. Provided that the requirements for enrollment are complied with and that the law student is academically qualified, every law student has the right to enroll in all the available courses required to complete the law degree offered, provided that these courses are offered or are specifically offered during the particular term or semester of the LEI.
Right to know an examination coverage. Every law student has the right to know the coverage of a term examination prior to the test.
Right to fair, transparent, objective, and timely evaluation. Every law student has the right to a fair, transparent and objective assessment of their performance based on the academic standards provided to them in the course syllabi and the student handbook. The feedback of assessment shall be provided to law students in a timely manner.
Right against discrimination. No law student shall be discriminated against or prevented from enjoying any of the rights under the law and highlighted in this Memorandum Order based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, mental or physical handicap, racial and ethnic background, socio-economic class, political beliefs, age, and other similar grounds.
Right to confidentiality of school records. Every law student shall enjoy the confidentiality of their school records. Access to these records shall be provided to the respective law student without the need for excessive fees and/or unreasonable requirements, while maintaining the confidentiality protections provided.
Right to freedom of expression. Every law student shall within the framework of legal protections granted to the institution of higher learning, enjoy their right to free expression in their stay in the LEI without fear of an imminent, actual or implied retaliation.
Right to a student publication. As provided in R.A. No. 7079, or the “Campus Journalism Act of 1991”, law students shall enjoy the right to establish an independent student publication whose funds, though still subject to the institutional guidelines, shall be considered separate and fully protected under the law.
Right to intellectual property protection. The moral and economic rights of law students over their creations in their law studies shall be fully protected.
Right to due process. As established by law and jurisprudence, all law students shall enjoy the right to due process in any disciplinary proceeding commenced against them, and in any proceeding or process in which their rights are subject to restriction or sanction.
Right to an objective and reasonable grievance system. Every law student has the right to an objective and reasonable grievance system set forth by the LEI.
Right to consultation. Law students, whether directly or through their law student government, have the right to be consulted on any significant matter and proposed policy affecting them. In particular, any proposed increase or introduction of tuition and other school fees shall be consulted with the law students in the manner proved under LEB Memorandum Order No. 8 (2016) and similar policies that the LEB may issue in the future.
Right to participate in curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular activities. Evey law student has the right to participate in lawful curricular, co-curricular or extra-curricular activities.
Right to form lawful organizations. Law students have the right to form, assist, join or participate in any organization or affiliation not contrary to law, morals, good customs, public order, public policy, or the mission and vision of the LEI in which they are enrolled.
Right to an autonomous but accredited student government. Law students shall enjoy the right to establish and run structures of self-governance, mechanisms for advocacy, and systems of decision-making on behalf of their fellow law students. The LEI administration shall respect the due establishment and business of the law student government. The LEI shall neither unduly interfere with the activities of the law student government nor impose restrictions or sanctions solely on account of a student’s involvement except on the basis of legitimate academic, safety and disciplinary concerns where the academic freedom of LEIs is similarly recognized by law.
Right to join the Association of Law Students of the Philippines. Law student governments, if so desired, and upon meeting qualifications according to the standards of the Association, have the right to become members of the Association of Law Students of the Philippines for fair and adequate national representation and for the furtherance of law student rights and welfare.
[1] Section 1, Article 3, LEB Memorandum Order No. 032, Series of 2024.
[2] Section 2, Article 3, LEB Memorandum Order No. 032, Series of 2024.