4 years LLB in Pakistan is now officially approved by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), marking a major shift in the country’s legal education system. The programme, which was previously stretched over five years, will now be completed in four years with a more streamlined and modern curriculum. This change brings Pakistan’s LLB programme closer to international standards and provides students with both academic and practical exposure in a shorter timeframe.
HEC Official Announcement
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has formally announced the introduction of the 4 years LLB in Pakistan. According to the official notice, the programme will be implemented from Fall 2025 in all universities and degree awarding institutions offering law. The total programme will consist of 146 credit hours divided across eight semesters. In addition to theoretical courses, students will be required to complete a mandatory internship and a capstone project in their final year.
HEC Notice for 4 Years LLB in Pakistan
OFFICIAL NOTICE – Higher Education Commission (HEC), Islamabad
Subject: Notification of Revised LLB Curriculum – Four Years Degree Programme (Effective Fall 2025)
The Higher Education Commission hereby notifies that the existing five-year LLB programme has been restructured into a four-year programme. This new structure will apply to all new admissions from Fall 2025 onward. The programme consists of 8 semesters, approximately 146 credit hours, mandatory internship (6–8 weeks) and a capstone project. All universities and degree awarding institutions must strictly align their curricula with this new framework.
https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/news/news/Pages/LLB-Curriculum.aspx
Syllabus for 4 Years LLB in Pakistan
The 4 years LLB in Pakistan syllabus has been carefully designed to balance general education, core law subjects, and practical training. It includes compulsory courses, elective clusters, and fieldwork experience.
Semester I (17 credit hours):
- Quantitative Reasoning I
- Functional English
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
- Introduction to Law
- Pakistan Studies
- Interdisciplinary Studies I
Semester II (18 credit hours):
- Quantitative Reasoning II
- Social Science
- Expository Writing
- Environmental Sciences & Law
- Law of Torts
- Fehm-e-Quran I (for Muslim students) / Ethics (for non-Muslims)
- Criminal Law
Semester III (17 credit hours):
- Arts & Humanities
- Islamic Studies / Ethics
- Fehm-e-Quran II
- Law of Contract
- Jurisprudence
- Principles of Constitutional Law
- Interdisciplinary Studies II
Semester IV (19 credit hours):
- Civics & Community Engagement
- Ideology & Constitution of Pakistan
- Entrepreneurship
- Equity, Trusts & Specific Relief
- Law of Property
- Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Islamic Jurisprudence
Semester V (18 credit hours):
- Islamic Personal Law I
- Law of Business Organizations I
- Law of Evidence
- Administrative & Services Law
- Land Law
- Cyber Law
Semester VI (18 credit hours):
- Islamic Personal Law II
- Law of Business Organizations II
- Legal Drafting & Pleadings
- International Law
- Elective I
- Elective II
Semester VII (18 credit hours):
- Legal Ethics & Moot Cases
- Criminal Procedure Code I
- Civil Procedure Code I
- Research Methodology
- Elective III
- Elective IV
Semester VIII (18 credit hours):
- Criminal Procedure Code II
- Civil Procedure Code II
- Environmental Law
- Elective V
- Elective VI
- Capstone Project
Internship (3 credit hours):
Mandatory 6–8 week professional internship in courts, law firms, or legal departments.
Capstone Project (3 credit hours):
Supervised research or practical project in final year.
Electives in 4 Years LLB in Pakistan
Students will select six electives (18 credit hours) from clusters that allow specialization in emerging and traditional areas of law. Electives include subjects from:
- Technology & Law: Cyber Law, Artificial Intelligence and Law, Media Law, FinTech and Blockchain Law.
- Business & Commercial Law: Corporate Law, Taxation Law, Competition Law, International Trade Law.
- Human Rights & Social Justice: International Human Rights Law, Labour Law, Refugee Law, Gender Justice.
- Environment & Climate Justice: Climate Change Law, Water Law & Policy, Sustainable Development.
- Constitutional Law & Governance: Comparative Constitutional Law, Election Law, Immigration Law.
- Legal Ethics & Skills: Legal Writing, Legal Clinics, Mooting, Professional Ethics.
- Emerging Fields: Space Law, Sports Law, Health Law, Maritime Law, Biotechnology & Law.
Importance of 4 Years LLB in Pakistan
The shift from five years to 4 years LLB in Pakistan is highly significant for law students. The programme aligns with global educational practices, making Pakistani law graduates more competitive internationally. It also reduces the overall cost and time spent on the degree while ensuring that students gain practical skills through internships and capstone projects. By offering diverse electives, students can specialize in modern and emerging fields of law, preparing them for a wide range of careers.
Conclusion
The 4 years LLB in Pakistan is a landmark decision by HEC that modernizes the structure of legal education in the country. With a well-rounded syllabus, practical training, and elective clusters, students will now be better prepared for the demands of the legal profession. This reform is expected to produce graduates who are not only equipped with a strong foundation in law but also with specialized skills to address contemporary legal challenges both nationally and globally.
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