The Ministry of Justice is currently seeking public opinion on the Draft Amended Law on Lawyers, which includes provisions to shorten the path to becoming a lawyer.

Currently, individuals holding a law bachelor's degree must complete four steps to become a lawyer. The proposed new pathway would reduce this to two steps. Key changes involve establishing Bar Association membership during the internship phase and combining the national exam with the issuance of a practice certificate.

Candidates who successfully pass the exam will no longer be required to return to their local areas to complete post-examination procedures, as was previously the case.

Lawyers in a trial at the Hanoi People's Court. Photo: Danh Lam

Bolstering ethical and political standards for lawyers

Despite the reduction in administrative procedures, the standards for becoming a lawyer are proposed to be enhanced and stricter to ensure professionalism and ethics.

For the first time, the draft law introduces requirements for "strong political resolve, a courageous spirit, resolute defense of justice, integrity, and honesty" as leading professional standards.

Lawyers will also have a new obligation: mandatory annual political awareness training to maintain their professional qualities.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Justice, in 2007, the country had 4,161 lawyers. By the end of 2025, this number is projected to increase five times, reaching 22,098, with an average of nearly 1,000 new lawyers entering the profession each year.

Lawyers have handled over 1,7 million cases, including more than 277,000 free legal aid cases for the poor and policy beneficiaries. The total revenue of law firms reached over 38.000 billion VND, contributing nearly 4.500 billion VND in taxes to the state budget.

Over 1,600 lawyers have been disbarred in the past 15 years, primarily due to non-payment of membership fees or criminal prosecution.

Hai Thu