The Supreme Court (SC) has directed the Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA) to design and implement a specialized training program for applicants seeking appointment to the country’s Shari’ah courts.

The court’s En Banc ruled that a separate pre-judicature course focused on Shari’ah laws is necessary, stating that the existing general program does not sufficiently cover Shari’ah jurisprudence.

Officials cited the current curriculum cannot adequately assess the specific competence required for aspiring Shari’ah judges.

The directive follows a request from the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, which urged the high court to establish a preparatory course tailored specifically to the Shari’ah legal system.

The Pre-Judicature Program is a mandatory requirement conducted by PHILJA for all aspiring members of the bench.

It serves as an evaluative mechanism for the Judicial and Bar Council to assess the qualifications and readiness of candidates for judicial office.

Shari’ah courts, created under the Code of Muslim Personal Laws, form part of the Philippine judiciary but exercise limited jurisdiction, primarily over matters involving Muslim personal laws.

Under existing requirements, applicants for these judgeships must have completed at least two years of study in Shari’ah and Islamic jurisprudence.