Complete Guide to Law Syllabus in the Philippines: What Every Law Student Should Know

If you’re preparing to enter law school—or already deep into it—you’ve likely heard about the law syllabus. But what is it exactly, and why is it so important?

In Philippine legal education, the law syllabus serves as your academic and Bar exam roadmap. It outlines what subjects to study, which topics are covered, and how to approach your reading and review. Whether you're planning your semestral workload or gearing up for the Bar, this guide breaks down the law syllabus in the Philippines and how to make it work for you.

What Is a Law Syllabus?

A law syllabus is a structured outline of topics and subject areas required in law school. It is based on guidelines from the Legal Education Board (LEB) and the Supreme Court of the Philippines. This means the subjects you study in law school are intentionally aligned with what appears in the Bar Examination.

Each law syllabus typically contains:

• A general subject description

• A breakdown of codal provisions, legal doctrines, and topic scope

• Recommended jurisprudence

• Topic weight or Bar Exam coverage percentage

Think of the syllabus as your long-term study blueprint—a checklist for your academic journey, not just to pass midterms but also to prepare for the Bar Exam.

Access full subject syllabi on Digest.PH

Why the Law Syllabus Matters in the Philippines for Law Students and Bar Exam Takers

The Philippine legal system is codal-based and exam-driven. Law school is structured to prepare students for the Bar Exam as early as their first year. The law syllabus plays a critical role in helping students:

• Identify high-yield topics for each subject

• Avoid unnecessary readings or outdated cases

• Streamline study routines for full-time or working students

• Ensure alignment between classroom learning and Bar expectations

• Stay accountable to national standards of legal education

Most importantly, the syllabus promotes fairness and standardization across law schools. No matter what school you come from, you're assessed by the same national Bar syllabus.

View the official LEB model curriculum
See the UP College of Law Curriculum Guide

Core Subjects of the Law Syllabus (Philippines)

Below is a breakdown of core law school subjects, what they cover, and how to effectively study them.

1. Civil Law Syllabus: Topics, Cases, and Study Tips

The Civil Law syllabus in the Philippines is one of the most comprehensive subjects law students encounter. Covering obligations, contracts, family law, property, and succession, it forms the backbone of a future lawyer’s practice. It also carries 15% of the Bar Exam weight, making it a high-priority area for review.

Key Topics:

• Law on obligations and contracts

• Family Code and property regimes

• Torts and damages

• Law on succession

Example: Use San Pedro v. CA to understand solidary liability and breach of contract.

Study Tip: 

• Start with codal provisions, then move to commentaries.

• Use Digest AI to summarize Family Code doctrines and create mock Q&A for succession cases.

• Make diagrams to simplify inheritance rules and simulate family law scenarios.

2. Political Law Syllabus Philippines: Constitution and Governance

Political Law is another Bar-heavy subject (15% weight) that requires mastery of constitutional principles, governance structures, and administrative law.

What You’ll Study:

• 1987 Philippine Constitution (with landmark decisions)

• Separation of powers and checks and balances

• Judicial review

• Bill of Rights

• Administrative functions

• Law on Local Government (2025)

Example: Angara v. Electoral Commission demonstrates judicial review and the separation of powers in action.

3. Labor Law and Legislation Syllabus: Bar Essentials

Focuses on labor relations, social legislation, and workers’ rights.

Topics Include:

• Labor Code

• DOLE and NLRC procedures

• Termination and due process

• Collective bargaining

• SSS, GSIS, PhilHealth

Example: A labor lawyer may represent a factory worker unjustly dismissed, invoking procedural due process.

Study Tip: Memorize just causes vs. authorized causes and practice with Q&A from past NLRC cases.

4. Commercial Law Syllabus (Business and Corporate Law Topics)

Also known as Business or Corporate Law, this subject covers economic regulation and commercial transactions.

What to Study:

• Corporation Code

• Negotiable Instruments

• Banking and insurance law

• Securities and IP law

Example: In Rural Bank of Buhi v. CA, negotiable instruments are dissected with real-world implications.

Study Tip: Use spreadsheets to practice calculating negotiable instrument liability.

5. Criminal Law Syllabus: Philippine Revised Penal Code and Special Laws

Criminal Law Syllabus on Digest.PH

Explores punishable acts under the law and how penalties are applied.

Scope:

• Revised Penal Code Book I and II

• Special penal laws

• Modifying circumstances

• Criminal procedure

Example: Study People v. Sandiganbayan for distinctions on conspiracy and criminal liability.

Study Tip: Break down crimes into elements and test yourself using Bar-style questions.

6. Remedial Law Syllabus

Highly procedural and technical, this is one of the hardest Bar subjects.

Topics Include:

• Civil procedure and criminal procedure

• Evidence

• Appeals

• Special proceedings

Example: Serrano v. CA outlines Rule 65’s certiorari mechanics.

Study Tip: Use flowcharts for timelines and remedies. Digest.AI can simulate procedural questions for review.

7. Public International Law Syllabus: Treaties and Humanitarian Law

Focuses on global legal relations and treaties.

You’ll Cover:

• Treaty formation

• State sovereignty

• Law of the sea

• Humanitarian law

Example: Magallona v. Ermita discusses sovereignty and international treaties.

Study Tip: Build memory aids for international institutions and Philippine applications.

8. Environmental Law Syllabus Philippines: Special Bar Coverage

Explores laws promoting sustainability and ecological protection.

Topics Include:

• Clean Air Act

• Solid Waste Management Act

• Writ of Kalikasan

• Writ of Continuing Mandamus

Example: In Resident Marine Mammals v. Reyes, the SC protected endangered marine species.

Study Tip: Familiarize yourself with unique remedies under Philippine environmental rules.

Priority Table: Law School Subjects by Bar Weight and Difficulty

How to Study the Law Syllabus More Effectively

Prioritize Core Subjects

Start with Bar-heavy areas like Remedial Law, Civil Law, and Political Law. These take time to master and appear frequently in the Bar Exam.

Layer Your Review

Begin with codal provisions, move to commentaries, and finish with jurisprudence. This layered strategy builds context before diving into full cases.

Use AI-Powered Tools

Try Digest.AI to generate mock Q&As, define technical terms, and summarize doctrines. For example, ask it to explain “Rule 65 Certiorari” and it will return codal definitions and sample doctrines with case citations.

Track Your Progress

Use the Syllabus Tracker on Digest.PH to mark off topics and subjects you’ve studied.

Simulate Bar Questions

Practice Bar-style questions and answers using the Case Digests Library.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is a law syllabus in the Philippines?
A syllabus is a structured list of required topics in each subject that align with Bar Exam coverage.

Q: Are syllabi the same in all law schools?
Core subjects are standardized by the Legal Education Board, though electives and teaching methods may vary.

Q: What is the hardest subject in law school?
Remedial Law and Taxation are often seen as the most difficult due to their technical nature.

Q: Where can I get the full syllabus per subject?
Visit the Law Syllabus Compilation on Digest.PH

Key Takeaways

• The law syllabus outlines what you need to learn throughout law school and the Bar Exam.

• Prioritize Bar-heavy subjects and use review strategies that combine codals, commentaries, and jurisprudence.

• Use tech tools like Digest.AI and the Syllabus Tracker to study smarter.

• Consistent syllabus-based review helps reduce overwhelm and increase retention.

Ready to Master the Syllabus?

Whether you're on your first semester or prepping for the Bar, your roadmap is already available. With Digest.PH's full syllabi, AI tools, and case digest library, you can take full control of your legal education.

Start with the Philippine Law Syllabus Compilation
Use Digest.AI for instant doctrine summaries and mock Q&As
Browse our Case Digests to train your legal reasoning