The Supreme Court, in a bid to strengthen the country’s Shari’ah legal education system, has begun a 60-day training seminar for prospective examinees of the 2026 Shari’ah Special Bar Examinations (SSBE).

The 20th Series of the Shari’ah Training Seminar (STS) will be officially launched on 8 August 2026 by Supreme Court Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul B. Inting, who chairs the 2026 SSBE.

The comprehensive program is a vital preparatory step for the Bar exams scheduled from 24 to 27 May 2026.

The seminar, conducted in partnership with the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos and the Philippine Judicial Academy, covers core subjects including Jurisprudence (Fiqh), Customary Laws (Adat), Family Relations, Succession, and Shari’ah Court Procedure.

Justice Inting emphasized that the STS is more than just preparatory lectures—it is part of the Supreme Court’s broader strategy to create an inclusive and modern justice system.

During a keynote message in Zamboanga City, one of the seven local training sites, Justice Inting highlighted the seminar’s role in cultivating professional ethics.

“We are preparing the next generation of Shari’ah Counselors-at-Law—individuals who will not only interpret the law but also embody its values of fairness, integrity, and service,” Inting said.

Participants were urged to focus not just on passing the SSBE, but on becoming effective and ethical legal professionals, noting that the exam requires “critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and the ability to apply Shari’ah principles in practical situations.”

The STS is being conducted across multiple sites, including Quezon City, Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro City, General Santos City, Marawi City, Zamboanga City, and Cotabato City. Lectures are also being broadcast to trainees in Saudi Arabia.

The 60-day program uses a blended learning approach, combining 15 days of asynchronous sessions with 45 days of synchronous lectures, and is set to conclude on 7 November 2025.

Justice Inting also personally visited the STS sessions in both Iligan City and Zamboanga City, where he met with local Shari’ah District Court judges and personnel.