Board Asks 8 Bar Subjects Be Eliminated

Eight basic law school subjects may be dropped from future Massachusetts Bar examinations, the CRIMSON learned yesterday.

The Massachusetts Board of Bar Examiners, headed by W. Harold Hitchcock, Law School '01, requested the drastic change from the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court which sets the rules for the exam. The changes, if accepted, would not take affect until after the forthcoming December exams have been given.

The eight subjects that may be dropped are personal property, bankruptcy, mortgages, security ship, practice, partnership, legal history, and legal ethics.

Add Three Subjects

The Board of Bar Examiners has also asked permission to add three new subjects to those required. These are federal income and estate taxation, federal administrative procedure, and labor law. Those taking the exam would probably be given a choice of one of the three new subjects on which to write.

Comments and suggestions on the changes have been requested from the Deans of Massachusetts law schools. It is expected that opposition will arise as soon as the Supreme Court takes up the proposed changes for consideration.