1959-11-14

Article 1

 

The Faculty of Law and Political and Economic Sciences of the Lebanese University comprises two sections: the first section is subject to the provisions of the following articles of these regulations and its affairs are managed by the Faculty of Law of the Lebanese University. The second section is managed by the Faculty of Law and Economic Sciences of Saint Joseph University, in accordance with its independent regulations and under the conditions set forth in this decree.

 

Article 2

 

In view of the provisions of Article 10 of the Lebanese Constitution, which guarantees freedom of education, the Lebanese State is solely authorized to award bachelor's degrees or any other specialized degrees in Lebanese law, as well as to approve and monitor the programs and examinations for these degrees.

To this end, the Minister of National Education has the right to convene, in an advisory capacity and under his chairmanship, representatives of the two law faculties and persons with experience or expertise in legal matters to deliberate on issues relating to the teaching of law and economic and political sciences and the level of education.

The management of each of the two sections must submit an annual report to the Ministry of Education containing a summary of its activities.

 

Article 3

 

The duration of studies in the first section is four years and gives direct access to the Lebanese law degree. Specialization degrees and a PhD may be created by decree of the Council of Ministers.

 

Article 4

 

Studies and examinations in the first section are conducted in Arabic, with the exception of one or more subjects per academic year, which are taught in French or English, at the student's choice and in accordance with the program defined in these regulations.

Studies and examinations in Lebanese law subjects in the second section are conducted in Arabic, in accordance with the provisions of Decrees No. 9801 of July 7, 1955, and No. 15923 of May 22, 1957.

 

Article 5

 

Students shall announce their choice of section upon entering the Faculty. They shall have the right to change sections after fulfilling the conditions set for this purpose, following consultation with the board of directors of that section.

Baccalaureate and bachelor's degrees in French law awarded by French university authorities shall entitle their holders to sit the corresponding Lebanese law examinations in the second section after these degrees have been signed by the Minister of National Education. The provisions of this article shall not affect the general regulations on equivalencies.

 

Article 6

 

The first section is subject to the following provisions with regard to its scientific and administrative regime.

 

Chapter 2: Administrative Organization

 

Article 7

 

The first section of the Faculty of Law comprises a dean, a board of directors, a teaching staff, and administrative staff.

The dean and members of the teaching staff are appointed by decree of the Council of Ministers on the recommendation of the Minister of National Education and the Minister of Justice. Administrative staff are appointed by decree on the recommendation of the Minister of National Education. This recommendation is based on the opinion of the board of directors concerning the teaching staff and on the opinion of the dean concerning the administrative staff.

 

Article 8

 

The dean must be a specialist who meets the requirements to be a professor. He or she acts as director of the section. He or she chairs the board of directors and the teaching staff, represents the section in all instances, and replaces the dean when necessary, the dean being the oldest member of the board of directors.

 

Article 9

 

The board of directors is composed of the dean, who is its chair, and eight members, four of whom are elected by the teaching staff from among its members and four of whom are appointed from among eminent jurists by a decree of the Council of Ministers on the proposal of the Minister of National Education and the Minister of Justice.

The term of office of the members of the board is three years, renewable.

 

Article 10

 

The board of directors shall have the right to supervise the application of these regulations, to give its opinion on teaching programs and their modification, to appoint the teaching staff, to establish the budget and internal regulations, as well as all other matters relating to the functioning of the institution, to propose any measures likely to improve the level of teaching, to supervise student affairs, and to examine disciplinary matters concerning them.

 

Article 11

 

The Board of Directors shall meet when convened by the Dean every three months or whenever necessary. The meeting shall be considered legal if at least six of its members are present.

Its decisions shall be taken by a majority vote of the members present. In the event of a tie, the President shall have the casting vote.

 

Article 12

 

The teaching staff shall consist of two categories, namely:

1- The category of professors, assistants, and tenured lecturers who may not engage in any function or profession other than university teaching, scientific consultation, or writing, in accordance with university traditions and the laws in force. This is done in accordance with the provisions of Article 15 of Organic Decree No. 112 of June 12, 1959.

2- The category of lecturers with the rank of professor and ordinary lecturers may be chosen from among judges, accountants, civil servants, and other persons competent in the subject taught.

 

Article 13

 

Teaching staff must meet the following conditions:

 

For appointment as a professor:

- Hold a “ PhD ” or equivalent degree.

- Have at least ten years of experience in higher education.

- Be nominated by the university council for direct appointment to this rank on the recommendation of the council of the Faculty or institute where they will teach.

 

For appointment as a lecturer:

- Hold a PhD or equivalent degree and have at least two years' experience in higher education.

- To be appointed as an assistant professor, hold a State PhD or equivalent degree, or a law degree or equivalent, and have at least three years' experience in higher education.

 

For the appointment of contract professors:

- Hold a PhD or equivalent degree.

- Or hold a bachelor's degree in law or equivalent and have at least three years' experience in higher education.

The board of directors shall examine the equivalence of degrees and work that may be considered equivalent to higher education.

 

Article 14

 

All conditions relating to appointment, contract, promotion, salary, and allowances that are not provided for in these regulations are subject to the general provisions applicable to the teaching staff of the Lebanese University or to all civil servants.

 

Article 15

 

The administrative staff shall consist of the secretary, the registrar, the librarian, and a number of editors, secretaries, and clerks, in accordance with the staffing levels to be determined by subsequent decree after consultation with the dean.

 

Article 16

 

The President of the Council of the Lebanese University shall have the right to supervise the first section in its administrative and financial affairs, in accordance with the university's regulations.

 

Chapter 3 – Student Admission Requirements

 

Article 17

 

To be admitted to the first year, Lebanese or foreign students must meet the following requirements:

1- Hold a Lebanese high school diploma or an officially equivalent diploma.

2- Be proficient in Arabic and have sufficient knowledge of one of the following two languages: French or English, as attested by recognized certificates or a special exam. Candidates who have completed their first year or more at a recognized law school must, in addition to the above conditions, meet the conditions set out in the internal regulations.

 

Article 18

 

Each student must register within the deadline set by the administration and pay the fees set by a decree issued after consultation with the board of directors.

 

Chapter 4 – Study Program

 

Article 19

 

The subjects in the study program for the Lebanese degree are spread over four years, so that each year comprises approximately 480 hours of classes, in addition to practical work, distributed as follows:

1- Public or international law classes: 80 hours

2- Civil law classes: 80 hours

3- Commercial and procedural law courses: 40 to 80 hours

4- Economics and finance courses: 80 hours

5- History of law and ancient laws courses: 40 to 80 hours

6- Criminal or private law courses: 40 to 80 hours

7- Comparative law courses in a foreign language: 80 hours

8- Practical exercises: 50 hours

 

Article 20

 

The curriculum for the four years is set as follows:

 

First year:

1- Constitutional law (general principles and Lebanese law): 80 hours

2- Civil law (general introduction to law, property and real rights, real estate law, and waqf): 80 hours

3- Judicial education and evidence: 40 hours

4- Political economy: 80 hours

5- History of law (Islamic Sharia, Lebanese laws, evolution of laws in European and Arab countries): 80 hours

6- Labor law and social security: 40 hours

7- Foreign law: 80 hours

French civil law in French: general introduction to rights, property, and property rights.

English constitutional law in English

8- Practical exercises: judicial system and advocacy, various legal translations: 50 hours

Total: 480 hours, including 50 hours of exercises.

 

Second year:

1- Administrative law: 80 hours

2- Civil law (theory of obligations and contracts): 80 hours

3- Land commercial law: 80 hours

4- Political economy: 80 hours

5- History of public law systems in Islam and Christianity: 60 hours

6- Comparative public administration science: 40 hours

French and comparative administrative law in French.

Public administration science in English.

7- Foreign law: 80 hours

French civil law in French: obligations and contracts

English legal philosophy in English: case law

8- Practical exercises: organization of contracts and deeds, case studies, and case law: 50 hours

Total: 500 hours with 50 hours of exercises.

 

Third year:

1- Public international law (with international and regional organizations): 80 hours

2- Civil status in Lebanon (family law 30 hours, incapacity, expenses, guardianship, and inheritance 50 hours): 80 hours

3- Fundamental principles of civil procedure (except enforcement and evidence): 40 hours

4- Doctrines and economic relations (history of doctrines, international relations, economic development in the Middle East): 80 hours

5- Roman law (except inheritance): 60 hours

6- Criminal law, criminal sciences, and criminal procedure: 80 hours.

7- Foreign law: 80 hours

Comparative criminology with the fundamental principles of French civil law: 40 hours per subject.

Or international relations in English (International Relations) with international economics (International Economics): 40 hours per subject

8- Practical exercises: presentation of the summons and organization of regulations, criminal investigation exercises, cases and case law: 50 hours

Total: 500 hours, including 50 hours of practical exercises.

 

Fourth year:

1- Private international law: 80 hours

2- Civil law (main specific contracts): 40 hours

3- Procedural law and maritime law: 40 hours per subject: 80 hours

4- Financial law (budget, taxation, public accounting): 80 hours

5- Islamic law (legal evidence, contracts, and obligations): 40 hours

6- Main special offenses and aviation law: 40 hours for each subject: 80 hours

7- Foreign law: 80 hours

French commercial law in French

Public finance in English Public Finance

8- Practical exercises: trial management, organization of judgments, pleadings, cases, and case law: 50 hours

Total: 480 hours with 50 hours of exercises.

 

Article 21

 

The detailed provisions of the two preceding articles are determined by decision of the board of directors, which determines the number of weekly and annual teaching hours and specifies the curriculum for each subject taught. The provisions of Lebanese law are incorporated into the fundamental general principles of each subject.

Certain provisions of the program may be amended by a decree issued by the Council of Ministers on the proposal of the Minister of Education and the Minister of Justice, with the agreement of the board of directors.

 

Chapter 5 – Examinations

 

Article 22

 

Attendance at lectures and practical classes is compulsory. Only those who have attended at least half of the hours scheduled for each subject may sit the annual examination, unless the absence is justified by a valid reason approved by the board of directors.

 

Article 23

 

There are two exam sessions, the first at the end of the academic year and the second before the start of the following academic year. The board of directors sets the dates for each session.

 

Article 24

 

The examination is written in civil law and in two other subjects chosen by lot at least one week and no more than ten days before the date of the examination. The examination is oral in these subjects as well as in all other subjects. Candidates who have failed the written examination may not take the oral examination.

 

Article 25

 

Grades are awarded from 1 to 20 (one to twenty) and the minimum passing grade is ten. In the written exam, students must obtain the minimum required grade in at least two subjects, provided that the grade obtained in the third subject is not less than seven. The average of the three subjects must be at least ten.

If the student fails the written exam, they are not allowed to take the oral exam and are only considered to have passed if they obtain an average equal to the passing grade for both the written and oral exams.

If the student fails the oral exam in June, they may retake this oral exam during the second session in October.

Students who did not take the written exam in the first session without a valid excuse accepted by the board of directors may not take the exam in the second session.

 

Article 26

 

Students may not remain in the same class if they fail the exams in four sessions, unless they have a valid excuse accepted by the board of directors.

 

Article 27

 

Additional marks are awarded to those whose overall average exceeds the passing mark, in accordance with the conditions in force for examinations at the Lebanese University.

 

Article 28

 

Diplomas are signed by the dean of the Faculty, the rector of the university, and the Minister of National Education.

 

Chapter 6 – Transitional provisions

 

Article 29

 

Contrary to the provisions of Article 9, all members of the board of directors shall be appointed for the first time by a decree issued by the Council of Ministers on the proposal of the Minister of National Education and the Minister of Justice.

 

Article 30

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 13, certain members of the teaching staff may be appointed on a temporary basis for a period of five years from the date of entry into force of this decree from among lawyers or former magistrates who have practiced law or served as magistrates or taught law for at least twenty years.

 

Article 31

 

This decree shall enter into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette. The new program shall be applied from the start of the 1959-1960 school year for the first year.

Students of the Lebanese Academy who have successfully completed their school year shall continue their studies in the new classes to which they are entitled, in accordance with the program and conditions provisionally set by the board of directors.

All regulatory provisions prior to this decree that do not comply with its provisions are repealed.

 

Article 32

 

This decree shall be published and communicated wherever necessary.

 

Beirut, November 14, 1959

Signed: Fouad Chehab

Published by the President of the Republic

 

Decree