Law School (Chuo Law School)

Ongoing Challenges Toward a Future Beyond “Hakumon” ---- Invitation to Chuo Law School

　“Law is a mirror that reflects society.” You may come across this phrase when studying law.

　Under the former Civil Code, it was stipulated that, although the child is born to the same parent, when a parent passes away, a child born out of wedlock shall be entitled to an inheritance share equal to one-half that of a legitimate child, even if they share the same parent. This provision repeatedly prompted lawsuits, challenging that the provision violates Article 14 of the Constitution of Japan, which provides that “all people are equal under the law.” However, the Supreme Court rulings issued in 2000, 2003, and 2009 upheld that, despite some dissenting and supplementary opinions, the provision of the prior Civil Code was constitutional.

　Yet, in 2013, the Supreme Court ruled that the provision of the prior Civil Code is unconstitutional, because there was no rational basis to distinguish the two parties under Article 14 of the Constitution of Japan; therefore, the provision shall be invalid. In response, the amendment to the Civil Code was enacted at the end of 2013, prescribing that the inheritance of a wedlock and an out of wedlock child shall be equal.

　At the time the previous Civil Code was enacted, few people may have questioned its provisions. However, as times passed, social attitudes toward family evolved. In a society that increasingly values respect for children and the protection of their rights, the Supreme Court decided to overturn its previous precedents. In other words, the shift in Supreme Court precedent can be exemplified as a mirror that reflects a transformation in the public mindset.

　The foundation of the Chuo Law School cannot be spoken of without mentioning the establishment of Igirisu Horitsu Gakko (English Law School) in 1885. The eighteen young attorneys who established the English Law School preserved their founding philosophy, “Fostering the Ability to Apply Knowledge into Action,” in a newspaper advertisement. In England, as in the US, the legal system developed through the accumulation of precedents. Therefore, it is inevitable to examine past precedents thoroughly and learn how individual cases were actually handled in order to use the practical application of law. Studying the process and outcomes of actual cases (=Knowledge) is material that connects to acquiring (=Fostering) the power (=Ability) to challenge (=Apply) new issues. This phrase, which is also our founding spirit, reminds us that, besides gaining knowledge through law books or law courses, practical experience of law by analyzing precedents, which serves as a mirror that reflects society, is indispensable when studying law.

　Chuo Law School has continuously embraced new challenges amid the constant reform of Japan’s legal education system. We take pride in upholding and passing down our distinguished tradition as the “Chuo of Law.”

　An integrated five-year undergraduate and graduate program, “3+2” (three-year undergraduate and two-year graduate) system has been introduced, and students are permitted to take the bar exam before graduation. In response to such transformation, Chuo Law School has comprehensively reviewed and improved our curriculum from the students’ point of view. We are committed to meticulously supporting our students' success on the bar exam through close collaboration between academic and practicing faculty members. Beyond the classroom, students have opportunities to participate in seminar courses featuring young alumni attorneys as practical lecturers who also offer consultations for our students. Furthermore, Chuo Law School enhances students’ learning experiences by offering extracurricular courses, legal training programs, on the same campus. Chuo University thus provides a fulfilling support system for students to study proactively.

　In addition, Chuo University has a network of more than 5,000 alumni across Japan who are members of the Chuo University Law Alumni Association. Collaborating with these members, we organize externship programs and strengthen our support systems to help students pursue their careers in diverse fields. We also place strong emphasis on supporting students in their career development after passing the bar exam.

　Lastly, Chuo Law School partners with the law faculties of eleven universities nationwide (including the Faculty of Law in Chuo University), aiming to increase the number of legal professionals in the country.

　Chuo University is also known as “Hakumon (White Gate),” a gate that has always been at the forefront of practical legal education alongside the transition of eras. Why not step through the Hakumon and explore the future, viewing society through the lens of law? We look forward to shaping such a future with you.

Shuichi MIYASHITA Dean, Chuo Law School