The Supreme Court of Puerto Rico has created a special board to study professional reciprocity in law and the bar exam process. This decision, made on October 9, 2026, affects attorneys seeking admission to practice in Puerto Rico and those from Puerto Rico wishing to practice in other jurisdictions. The ruling aims to evaluate and recommend measures to facilitate the admission process for lawyers across different regions.
The formation of this board comes in response to a suggestion from the Legislative Assembly, as stated in Article 2 of Law No. 189, enacted on August 18, 2026. This law amends Section 2 of Law No. 17 from June 10, 1939, known as the Law of Legal Practice in Puerto Rico. The Supreme Court's decision underscores its authority to regulate the legal profession and establish admission requirements.
The special board, referred to as the Junta Especial, will assess existing reciprocal admission models in the United States and identify barriers preventing Puerto Rico's inclusion in these frameworks. The board will consist of a president and thirteen associated members, including representatives from various legal organizations and law schools in Puerto Rico.
Background
The parties involved in this case include the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico and the Legislative Assembly, which proposed the creation of the special board. The dispute centers around the need for a structured approach to attorney admissions and the potential for reciprocal agreements with other jurisdictions. The court's decision to form the board follows ongoing discussions about the evolving landscape of legal practice and the need for adaptation to national trends.
The court's ruling highlights the importance of evaluating the feasibility of adopting uniform bar exams, such as the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) and the NextGen Uniform Bar, which are already implemented in many U.S. jurisdictions. The board's mission includes determining how Puerto Rico can align its admission processes with these national trends while considering its unique legal system.
The Ruling
The Supreme Court of Puerto Rico ruled to establish the Junta Especial, tasked with evaluating and recommending measures to enhance the reciprocity of attorney admissions. The court stated, "The mission of this Junta Especial is to evaluate, determine, and recommend... what measures, if any, could be adopted to facilitate... that lawyers admitted in our jurisdiction can be admitted in other jurisdictions." This ruling reflects the court's commitment to modernizing the admission process and making it more accessible for attorneys.
The court emphasized that the board's function is not to modify the structure or content of the bar exam but to assess the viability of integrating Puerto Rico into national trends regarding attorney admissions. The board is required to submit a written report with its findings and recommendations within one year of its formation, with the possibility of a one-year extension.
Impact
This ruling is significant for the legal community in Puerto Rico and beyond. It opens the door for potential changes in how attorneys are admitted to practice, which could lead to increased mobility for lawyers across jurisdictions. If successful, the recommendations from the Junta Especial could streamline the admission process, making it easier for Puerto Rican attorneys to practice in other states and vice versa.
The establishment of this board also signals a shift towards a more uniform approach to legal admissions, aligning Puerto Rico with national standards. This could enhance the reputation of Puerto Rican attorneys and improve the overall legal landscape in the territory.
What's Next
The Junta Especial will begin its work immediately, focusing on the evaluation of reciprocal admission models and the identification of barriers to inclusion. The court's ruling can be appealed, but details on any related cases or further legislative actions were not available in the court filing.