Judicial Scrivener Exam

The Judicial Scrivener Exam in Japan is notoriously difficult, with a pass rate hovering around 2.8%. To help you prepare, here's a breakdown of the syllabus and exam pattern:

Subjects Tested:

The exam tests your knowledge of 12 Japanese statutes, with the main focus on:
⚫ Civil Code: Covers fundamental legal principles like contracts, property, family law, and inheritance.
⚫ Real Estate Registration Act: Deals with procedures and regulations for registering real estate transactions.
⚫ Commercial Code: Governs company formation, operations, and corporate governance.
⚫ Commercial Registration Act: Outlines the process for registering businesses and commercial entities.

Additionally, the exam covers:
⚫ Civil Procedure Law: Fundamentals of civil lawsuits and court proceedings.
⚫ Enforcement of Security Interests Act: Regulations for debt collection and secured transactions.
⚫ Family Law: Marriage, divorce, child custody, and inheritance issues.
⚫ Bankruptcy Law: Procedures for corporate and personal bankruptcy.
⚫ Tax Law: Basic principles of income and corporation taxes.
⚫ Non-contentious Judicial Procedures: Legal procedures outside of courtrooms, like family and inheritance matters.
⚫ Corporations Act: Regulations for incorporating and managing companies (added in 2006).

Exam Pattern:

The exam consists of three stages:

First Written Test (5 hours):
⚫ 60 multiple-choice questions covering all 12 subjects.
⚫ 2 essay questions, typically focusing on the core four subjects.

⚫ Second Written Test (4 hours):
⚫ 3 case studies involving practical application of legal knowledge to real-life scenarios.
⚫ Each case requires drafting legal documents like contracts, petitions, or registrations.

Oral Exam (20 minutes):
⚫ Individual interview testing your legal understanding, analytical skills, and communication abilities.

Pass Rate and Resources:
⚫ As mentioned, the pass rate is around 2.8%, making it a highly competitive exam.

Numerous preparatory resources are available, including:
⚫ Exam prep schools and online courses.
⚫ Textbooks and study guides specifically designed for the exam.
⚫ Past exam questions and practice tests.

Additional Information:
⚫ You can find detailed information about the exam on the website of the Ministry of Justice (Japanese only): https://www.shiho-shoshi.or.jp/html/global/english/01.html
⚫ Consider joining online communities or forums for aspiring judicial scriveners to connect with others and share resources.

Remember, passing the Judicial Scrivener Exam requires dedication, hard work, and consistent preparation. Use the information above to get started on your journey towards becoming a qualified legal professional in Japan.