The Council of Legal Education has released results for the November 2025 bar exams in Kenya. Only 397 candidates passed all nine papers needed to move forward as advocates. That works out to a pass rate of about 21.64 per cent. Many see it as another drop in performance for the Advocates Training Programme, or ATP.
The exams ran from November 13 to 25, 2025. Candidates took tests in areas like civil litigation, criminal litigation, probate, legal drafting, conveyancing, and commercial transactions. There are also papers on trial advocacy, professional ethics, and practice management. To pass overall, you have to clear every single one.
Some subjects did better than others. Trial advocacy had a high pass rate of 97.49 per cent. Students seem strong in courtroom skills. But professional ethics was tough, with just 25.38 per cent passing. That paper has been hard in recent sittings too.
Those who passed all nine got their provisional transcripts. Many shared the news online, calling it “9Ps” for nine passes. They posted photos and messages of relief after months of study. The Kenya School of Law, where most train, helps with orals and projects alongside the written exams run by the council.
Not everyone made it. A lot of candidates failed one or more papers. They can resit those later. Some voiced frustration on social media. They talked about the low overall rate and asked for more support in preparation. Others pointed to bigger issues in legal training, like crowded classes or tough marking.
Kenya’s bar exams have seen low pass rates for years. Past sittings sometimes dipped even lower. Debates continue about standards. The council wants to keep quality high for new lawyers. But students and lecturers say more help is needed, like better teaching or review courses.
The ATP is the step after a law degree. You study at the Kenya School of Law for about a year, then pass these exams. After that comes pupillage with a practising advocate. Only then can you join the roll and practise in court.
Results came out recently, just before the holidays. Successful ones can start planning pupillage. Others look to resits in the next series, probably April or next November.
This low rate adds to talks about legal education in Kenya. Universities produce many law graduates each year. But getting through the bar remains a big hurdle. The council and school keep reviewing how to balance tough standards with fair chances.
For now, the 397 who passed move ahead. They join the profession at a time when Kenya needs more lawyers. Those who didn’t can try again. The process is strict, but it’s meant to ensure competence.
Many follow these results closely. Law students search for tips or past patterns. The November 2025 sitting shows the challenge is real. Preparation matters a lot. The next exams will come soon enough. The November 2025 ATP examination results are out! Well done on your achievement! May your legal journey be marked with excellence and integrity. Visit your candidate portal via http://cle.or.ke to access your results.
