The Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ) has submitted a proposal to the Chamber of Deputies proposing the regulation of the practice of lawyers and notary publics in the Dominican Republic.
The proposal says that in order to practice as a lawyer, the individual needs to have a degree or a doctorate in law and have completed legal requirements including a two-year internship and revalidation examinations. The internship should be carried out at an institution linked to the courts or the process of judicial reform with the objective of acquiring knowledge and experience about the judicial system and practices. Private law firms can become accredited as intern centers with the approval of the courts.
It is proposed to set up a Revalidation Commission composed of the president of the SCJ, the director of the National Judicial School, the head of the Officials of the Judicial Power, the Attorney General, the National Director of Public Defenders, the president of the College of lawyers and a Dean from a accredited University law School.
The proposal also calls for continuing education of at least 600 hours each year and five year revalidation.
The motivation behind the proposal is the low quality of the legal profession and the consequent loss of confidence in their services.
www.diariolibre.com/noticias/2014/01/28/i457591_suprema-corte-justicia-somete-proyecto-que-regula-ejercicio-abogaca-notara.html