The Supreme Court of the Philippines has officially designated New Era University (NEU) as the National Headquarters (NHQ) for the 2026 Shari’ah Special Bar Examinations (SSBE), following the signing of a contract on April 13 at the Court’s En Banc Session Hall.

As NHQ, NEU will act as the central command center for the nationwide administration of the exams set on May 24 and May 27, 2026, overseeing coordination, logistics, and monitoring of all testing sites.

The agreement was led by Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo and Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul Inting, chairperson of the 2026 SSBE, along with several members of the High Court and officials from both institutions.

Justice Inting underscored the significance of the partnership, stating, “The SSBE is more than just an academic undertaking. It is a manifestation of the Court’s constitutional duty to guarantee access to justice for everyone,” highlighting efforts to recognize the legal traditions and cultural heritage of Muslim Filipinos.

NEU President Alberto R. Domingo Jr. expressed gratitude for the Court’s trust, noting the university’s long-standing relationship with the judiciary and its previous role as a testing center in the 2025 Bar Examinations.

In addition to serving as headquarters, NEU will be one of four testing centers, alongside Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology, Ateneo de Davao University, and Ateneo de Zamboanga University.

The 2026 SSBE will cover four core subjects, including Jurisprudence (Fiqh) and Customary Laws (Adat), Persons and Family Relations, Succession and Estates, and Shari’ah Court Procedures, with exams available in English or Arabic. Questions will be based on laws and jurisprudence effective as of August 8, 2025.

The initiative reflects the judiciary’s broader push to expand inclusivity and strengthen Shari’ah law practice within the Philippine legal system.