Guam Bar study guide
Guam Bar · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Guam Bar Examination is the licensing examination administered by the Guam Supreme Court through its Board of Law Examiners for candidates who want to practice law in Guam. Passing it, together with the character and fitness review and any other requirements the court imposes, is what allows an attorney to be admitted to the Guam bar and represent clients in Guam's courts. The Guam Bar study guide has 9 sections and about 3,866 words.
01Civil Procedure on the Guam Bar
The Civil Procedure section tests whether you can run a case in the Superior Court of Guam under the Guam Rules of Civil Procedure, which are modeled on the Federal Rules but operate alongside the Guam Code Annotated and the Local Rules. Expect pleading, personal and subject-matter jurisdiction, service, discovery, dispositive motions, trial, and appeal to the Supreme Court of Guam.
489 words, about 2 min02Constitutional Law and the Organic Act
The Constitutional Law section tests limits on Guam and federal government action, with emphasis on the Organic Act of Guam, the territorial bill of rights, and standard doctrine on due process, equal protection, free speech, search and seizure, and standing. Guam has no state constitution; the Organic Act is the charter, and it supplies rights that litigants enforce in Guam courts.
486 words, about 2 min03Contracts: Common Law, UCC Article 2, and Guam's Civil Code
The Contracts section tests formation, defenses, performance, breach, and remedies under the common law and UCC Article 2, with Guam's Civil Code supplying statutory rules modeled on California's. Expect questions that mix common-law and sale-of-goods rules and that require you to calculate damages.
434 words, about 2 min04Criminal Law and Procedure in Guam
The Criminal Law and Procedure section tests Guam's criminal code and constitutional criminal procedure: elements, defenses, accomplice and conspiracy liability, searches and seizures, interrogation, right to counsel, and trial rights. Guam's code is in Title 9 of the Guam Code Annotated, and its criminal procedure rules track the federal rules.
420 words, about 2 min05Evidence Under the Guam Rules
The Evidence section tests the Guam Rules of Evidence, modeled on the Federal Rules, in civil and criminal trials: relevance, character, hearsay, impeachment, privilege, expert testimony, and authentication. The exam favors questions where the purpose of the statement determines admissibility.
418 words, about 2 min06Real Property and Guam Land Law
The Real Property section tests estates, future interests, conveyancing, recording, landlord-tenant law, easements, and Guam-specific land issues: Spanish-law roots, Torrens registration, Chamorro Land Trust restrictions, and long-term leasehold practices. Guam's land law is not simply California law copied; local statutes and land tenure history matter.
375 words, about 2 min07Torts and Government Liability in Guam
The Torts section tests negligence, intentional torts, strict liability, defamation, privacy, and government liability under Guam law, including the Guam Tort Claims Act. Guam follows common-law tort doctrine with local statutes modifying comparative fault, sovereign immunity, and certain damages.
431 words, about 2 min08Guam Law and Local Practice
The Guam Law and Local Practice section tests the structure and operation of Guam government and the practical rules of practicing in Guam courts: the Organic Act, judicial selection, bar admission, local rules, filing, and professional responsibility. This is the section where mainland assumptions cost the most marks.
414 words, about 2 min09Multistate Performance Test Strategy
The Multistate Performance Test on the Guam exam tests lawyering skills rather than memorized doctrine: you must produce a practical document from a closed file of facts and authorities in 90 minutes. The task is graded on analysis, use of facts, legal reasoning, organization, and compliance with the task memo.
399 words, about 2 min