Overview

The Office of the Registrar offers numerous services to students and faculty year-round, including the following:

• Administer course registration and examinations;
• Maintain student records;
• Oversee the processing and distribution of grades; and
• Process student petitions.

The Registrar's Office also supports faculty teaching by scheduling classrooms and by collecting and distributing papers and exams.

Registration and Selection of Classes for Stanford Law Students

Pre-Registration for Law Students

After the first quarter of the first year, students may sign up for Law School courses by pre-registering on AXESS during the designated pre-registration period. Students will be notified by the Law School Registrar's Office when pre-registration opens in Axess. Pre-Registration instructions and forms for Consent of Instructor Courses will be available on this site when pre-registration opens in Axess.

For course information, see Course Schedules and Descriptions and Stanford Law Class Schedule Grids. These schedules and descriptions include course days and times. Room assignments are posted prior to the start of each term. See the Academic Calendar for end-quarter examination periods and Course Schedules and Descriptions for a list of courses giving examinations for the current academic year.

Spring 2011-2012 Pre-Registration Dates:
February 12 to February 24, 2012

• 2011-2012 Spring Pre-Registration Instructions (1L, 2L, 3L, Advanced Degree)

Registration in Law Classes for Non-Law Students

Spring 2011-2012 Pre-Registration Dates:
February 12 to February 24, 2012

See Non-Law Student Course Registration

AXESS – Online Registration

The Law School uses AXESS, the University's online registration system for pre-registration and for adding and dropping courses during the add/drop period.

Enrollment Options for Law School Classes

Instructors can open their courses to all interested students (open enrollment) or limit the enrollment of their courses in one of two ways: (1) by lottery or (2) by consent of the instructor.

Open Enrollment Courses

Open enrollment courses are open to all second- and third-year JD students and advanced degree students who have met whatever prerequisites are listed. Winter and Spring courses are open to first-year students at the election of the instructor.

• 2011-2012 Spring Axess Class Numbers

Limited Enrollment Courses
Lottery Courses

For some courses, the students able to enroll are determined by a lottery conducted by the Registrar's Office during the pre-registration period (i.e., in April for autumn quarter, in mid-October for winter quarter and in mid-February for spring quarter). Students who are not selected for the course are placed on a waiting list.

Admitted students must attend the first class session or inform the instructor in advance of their intention to enroll. At that class meeting, the instructor will note the attendance of those admitted to the class, those who are on the wait list, and those who wish to be added to the wait list. If an admitted student is absent without having informed the instructor, the instructor will replace that student with the highest student on the wait list who has attended the first class session or who has informed the instructor in advance of his or her intention to enroll. If an instructor has admitted you to their course from the waitlist or as a new student to a lottery/limited enrollment class, you must fill out and submit the Law Student Lottery-Limited Course Add Request Form to the Registrar's Office to enroll in the class.

If a student wishes to be added to the wait list, he or she should see the Registrar's Office. Students cannot be admitted to the class except off the waiting list, and students will be admitted in the order that they are listed.

• Add Request Form for Law Lottery Courses

Consent of Instructor Courses

Instructors who choose this method of limiting course enrollment submits to the Registrar's Office, along with their course description, a form that lists the criteria for selection in the class and solicits relevant information from interested students. Interested students must fill out the form (below) and return it to the Registrar's Office, room 100, which we then forward to the instructor. The instructor will admit students and create a waiting list for students who do not get admitted initially. The Registrar's Office or the instructor will inform you by email if you were admitted, waitlisted or denied.

You can submit your forms in the following ways: The deadline for Consent of Instructor Application Forms is Monday, November 14, 2011.

1. Scan and email forms to [email protected].
2. Fax your completed forms to 650.723.8234.
3. Drop off the completed forms in the Registrar's Office (room 100).
4. Mail your completed forms to the address listed below.

Access Consent Forms

Cross-Registration in Other Schools and Departments of the University

To broaden the educational base of their legal training, to encourage interaction with experts in a variety of fields with whom lawyers work over the course of their professional careers, and to increase their capacity to bring a multiplicity of disciplinary perspectives to bear on complex issues, Stanford Law School encourages students to pursue courses of instruction in other disciplines, subject to the following:

General Policy

The Dean, or his delegate, shall designate certain courses offered at the University that any Stanford Law student shall be permitted to enroll in, without petition, so long as that student certifies that he or she has not taken the course or a substantially equivalent course in the past.

If the student has taken the course or a substantially equivalent course in the past, he or she may take the course for credit, with the approval of the Petitions Committee, only upon making a showing that the skills taught in the course are central to his or her academic or career plans, and that there is good reason that his or her skills have atrophied since he or she first took a substantially similar or identical course. Such petitions shall be granted only in extraordinary circumstances.

If a student wishes to enroll in a class that has not been designated by the Dean or the Dean's delegate pursuant to the foregoing section, the student may petition to take that class so long as he or she shows that the class bears a close and significant relationship to the student's academic or career plans. Petitions are available in the Law School Registrar's Office. The petition is available in the Law School Registrar's Office, Room 100.

Limitations

You should carefully review the Law School Student Handbook for a complete description of the policies and limitations on taking courses outside the Law School.

How To Register For A Stanford University Course Outside The Law School

You can enroll in a course in another department or program in Axess. Click on the Student Center tab and then click on Enrollment Add from the drop down menu under Academics. Some courses may have special enrollment instructions and restrictions. See Non-Law Course Descriptions below.

Graduate School of Business Courses

If you are interested in taking a course at GSB, please see the instructions at gsbapps.stanford.edu/nongsbreg.

Non-Law Course Descriptions

See the Stanford Bulletin's Explore Courses web site for course descriptions and class scheduling. The Bulletin's Explore Degrees web site publishes information on Stanford's schools, departments, and interdisciplinary programs.

Stanford Non-Law Student Course Registration

Please review the contents of this site for information on how to register for a course at the Law School. For important Law School deadlines, see Deadlines (in the left panel) and the Law School Academic Calendar. See Exam Information (in the left panel) for exam procedures and schedules.

Many law courses are open to qualified graduate students in other departments of Stanford University with the consent of the instructor. Some law courses have special enrollment instructions and restrictions. You can view detailed course descriptions on the Stanford Law School, Office of the Registrar website or see Detailed Class Descriptions under Information for Current Students on the Law School website. The course descriptions will include days, times, and location prior to the start of the term. Non-Law students may not enroll in the first-year required courses.

How to Register for a Law Course

1. Review the course listings at the Office of the Registrar website. You will see that some courses have limited enrollment. Law students receive preference in these types of courses. Thus, there are fewer vacancies for Non-Law students. A few limited enrollment courses reserve openings for Non-Law students. These courses are listed on the Add Request Form below and have special registration instructions and deadlines.

2. Obtain the instructor's approval to enroll in the course, complete the Add Request Form and submit the completed form with an approval signature from the instructor to the Office of the Law School Registrar in room 100. The form must be submitted by the appropriate enrollment deadlines for each term.

3. You will receive an e-mail from the Law School Registrar's Office. We will let you know whether we have been able to add the course to your study list in Axess. The e-mail notification may take several days. In the meantime, keep attending the course.

Limited Enrollment Courses With Reserved Openings For Non-Law Students

Limited enrollment courses with reserved openings for Non-Law students will be listed on the Non-Law Student Course Add Request Form. You do not need approval from the instructor to bid for one these courses. Non-Law student enrollment in these courses will be determined by a lottery. To bid for one of these courses, you must complete and submit the Add Request Form to the Law School Registrar's Office (room 100) by the deadline stated by each course listed on the form. After the deadline, a lottery will be run. You will receive an e-mail notice form the Law School Registrar's Office before the first day of the class on your acceptance in the class or placement on a waitlist.

Add Request Form

Stanford Law Class Schedule Grids

Class schedule(s) posted below are subject to change. For the most up-to-date course information, visit the Course Schedules and Descriptions website.

2011-2012

2011-2012 Autumn Class Schedule

• 1L Class Schedule Grid
• 2L, 3L, Advanced Degree

2011-2012 Winter Class Schedule

• 1L Class Schedule Grid
• 2L, 3L, Advanced Degree

2011-2012 Spring Class Schedule

• 1L, 2L, 3L, Advanced Degree

Stanford Law School reserves the right to change any part of the schedule at any time including (1) add or delete courses from its offerings; (2) change times, days, or locations of courses; (3) cancel for insufficient registration or academic/administrative decision without notice.

The Stanford University Time Schedule for classes outside the Law School is available at axess.stanford.edu.

Stanford Law Textbook Lists

Textbook lists will be posted below and updated as information becomes available throughout the year.

2011-2012 Autumn Textbook List

• 2011-2012 Autumn Textbook List (2L, 3L, & Advanced Degree)
• 2011-2012 Autumn Textbook List (1L)

2011-2012 Winter Textbook List

• 2011-2012 Winter Textbook List (2L, 3L, & Advanced Degree)
• 2011-2012 Winter Textbook List (1L)

2011-2012 Spring Textbook List

• 2011-2012 Spring Textbook List (1L, 2L, 3L, & Advanced Degree)

Exam Information

Information on Reviewing Examination Answers

Examination Schedule

2011-2012 Winter Exam Schedule

See Academic Calendar for end-quarter examination periods. Students can choose the day during the examination period on which to take each of their in-class and one-day take-home examinations (see exceptions below). The Registrar's Office will determine the start times for examinations and designate rooms for examinations on each day of the examination period.

Faculty teaching classes with more than 75 students enrolled have an option to offer their examination at a fixed day and time and other faculty may seek permission to do so from the Vice Dean if there is some reason that self-scheduling is inappropriate or will not work for a particular class. The Registrar's Office will announce the dates and times each quarter.

Examinations for required first-year courses will still be given on a fixed day and at a fixed time. The Registrar's Office will announce the dates and times each quarter.

A list of courses giving examinations for the current academic year is available on the Registrar's Office website.

Examination Procedures

Law School examinations are conducted in accordance with the University's Honor Code, described in the Law School Student Handbook. During examinations, the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and the Law School Registrar are available to answer questions regarding the Honor Code or the parameters of the examination. Students cannot contact the instructor directly during the examination, even if questions arise regarding interpretation of the examination. Instead, they should state their assumption and answer the question.

"Blind" Grading Policy

All examinations are graded on a "blind" basis. Each quarter, students are assigned a number by the Law School Registrar for each of their final examinations and must use that number for identification on the appropriate final examination that quarter. Instructors are not allowed to learn the identity of any examination-taker prior to turning in their final grades to the Law School Registrar, and students should not attempt to identify themselves in the examination or at any point between the examination and the time the instructor submits his or her final grades to the Registrar. Any attempt to contact an instructor about an exam between the regularly scheduled exam date and the date the exam grades are posted may be interpreted as a violation of the Honor Code and/or the Fundamental Standard.

If class participation is part of a grade, it is factored into the grade only after the instructor has submitted the blind graded examination grade to the Registrar.

Papers are not graded on a blind basis.

In-Class Examinations

The Law School Registrar administers in-class examinations and designates the rooms in which they are taken. Students are allowed to take in-class examinations on laptop computers, provided the professor has not opted out of the laptop alternative. Students are not permitted to use earphones during an in-class exam although earplugs are allowed. All cell phones must be turned off and put away.

Most Stanford Law School students take their examinations on laptops.

The instructor determines the length of the examination (which can be either 3 or 4 hours) and whether or not it is closed book, open book, or partially open book. Students are responsible for adhering to the instructor's standards for the in-class examination, which are included in the examination materials. If there are no instructions regarding whether the exam is open book or closed book, students must assume that the examination is closed book and that no outside materials may be used during the examination. Where outside sources are permitted, those sources must be in printed or handwritten form. Digital sources are not allowed. Thus, students may not log on to the internet or access other documents on their computer during an examination.

Take-Home Examinations

A take-home examination is defined as an examination that is completed outside the room designated by the Registrar. There are two kinds of take-home examinations: one-day take-home examinations and extended take-home examinations.

1. One-Day Take-Home Examinations
   A one-day take-home examination is handed out and returned on the same day, usually beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 4:30 p.m. The Registrar's Office distributes and collects the take-home exams. One-day take-home examinations are open-book, but students may not discuss a one-day examination among themselves unless the instructor specifically grants permission to do so.

2. Extended Take-Home Examinations
   An extended take-home examination is taken over a much longer period of time. The student picks up the examination from the Registrar no later than the last regularly scheduled day of classes. The examination is due back to the Registrar's Office no earlier than 24 hours following the last scheduled day of examinations for courses open to second- and third-year students. Extended take-home examinations are open-book and instructors must permit full discussion among students about the examination if it is an extended take-home examination.

Reviewing Examination Answers and Model Answers

Faculty must return to the Registrar's Office all graded essay exams within two weeks of the date exam grades are due. After that date, students may review their examination answers. Requests to see examination answers must be either submitted in writing to the Registrar's Office, or submitted through the link below, and the examination answers will be available for the student to pick up the following day.

Professors are required either to write comments on individual examination answers or provide model answers to the examination questions. Model answers are available in the Registrar's Office three weeks after the date are due from the instructor and are later placed on "Course Reserve" in the Law Library.

Request to View Examination Answers

See the Law School Student Handbook for a complete description of examination procedures.

Deadlines

Stanford Law School Deadlines Autumn 2011-2012

All deadlines are at 4:00 p.m. unless otherwise stated. Enrollment forms, papers, and petitions are submitted to the Office of the Law School Registrar (room 100).

See AUTUMN Registration deadlines, paper deadlines & paper option.

Stanford Law School Deadlines Winter 2011-2012

All deadlines are at 4:00 p.m. unless otherwise stated. Enrollment forms, papers, and petitions are submitted to the Office of the Law School Registrar (room 100).

See WINTER Registration deadlines, paper deadlines & paper option.

Stanford Law School Deadlines Spring 2011-2012

All deadlines are at 4:00 p.m. unless otherwise stated. Enrollment forms, papers, and petitions are submitted to the Office of the Law School Registrar (room 100).

See SPRING Registration deadlines, paper deadlines & paper option.

Petition Process and Forms

A student who wants to take any action for which a petition is required by the Law School Student Handbook must submit a written petition to the Law School Registrar's Office on the appropriate petition form by the published deadline. Late petitions may be summarily denied. The Student Handbook is available under Information for Current Students on the Stanford Law School website.

Petitions to extend a deadline must be submitted at least two weeks in advance of the deadline.

Petitions are available in the Law School Registrar's Office in room 100 and several are listed below.

Petitions and Forms

• Credit for Non-Law Course Petition
• Directed Research Petition
• Paper Extension Petition
• Petition to Change Course Enrollment Form
• Senior Thesis or Research Track Petition

J.D. Graduation

The Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) Degree Graduation Self Audit

Below are the links to the J.D. self-audit form and course summary grids. These grids list the courses that fulfill specific graduation requirements. Please review this information carefully and complete the self-audit form. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet all your graduation requirements for the conferral of your degree. If you have any questions regarding the completion of your degree requirements, please contact the SLS Registrar's Office at 650.723.0994 or email [email protected].

Please download the latest version of Adobe Reader here to view the documents below.

• J.D. Self-Audit Form (Students Entering Fall of 2002 to 2008)
• J.D. Self-Audit Form (Students Entering Fall of 2009 & Thereafter)
• Course Summary Grids

Graduation Application

In order to be eligible to graduate from Stanford Law School, you must file a "Graduation Application" form in AXESS. The official application deadlines are set by the University and listed in the Stanford Academic Calendar. Academic Calendar under Quick Links.

Diplomas

Information on diplomas is available from the Office of the University Registrar. See Information for Students, click on Records and then click on Diplomas.

Law School Graduation Ceremony

Information on Commencement can be found at commencement.stanford.edu. The Office of Student Affairs can answer questions regarding the SLS graduation ceremony. Contact information for OSA is available on the OSA website.

State Bar Certifications

Authorization for Stanford Law School to Release Information for State Bar Exam & How to Order Official Transcript for State Bar

Certifications for State Bar Exam: The Office of the Law School Registrar will certify enrollment, degree verification, and moral character for State Bar certifications. See SLS Release of Records & Transcript for State Bar Form. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of the Law School Registrar at 650 723-0994 or email [email protected].

Transcripts are available from the Office of the University Registrar via Axess.

Bar Exam Information is available from the Office of Student Affairs.

Enrollment Certification & Degree Verification for requests other than State Bar certifications must be made through Axess. Students without Axess accounts can order proof of past enrollment or verification of a degree from the Student Services Center. See Enrollment Certification & Degree Verification on SLS Registrar’s website.

Recorded & Past Events

August 2010

• Classes for 1Ls and Advanced Degree students begin
  August 30, 2010 - August 30, 2010

August 2009

• Classes for 1Ls and Advanced Degree students begin
  August 31, 2009 from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Move-in for 1Ls and Advanced Degree students
  August 24, 2009 from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

May 2009

• Paper Deadline
  May 20, 2009 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

April 2009

• PAPER DEADLINE
  April 23, 2009 from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• 3K DEADLINE
  April 16, 2009 from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• General Curriculum Meeting 2009-2010
  April 15, 2009 from 12:45 pm - 1:45 pm

May 2008

• All other students - Last day to submit written work (unless instructor has set an earlier deadline) for winter semester
  May 19, 2008

April 2008

• Students GRADUATING spring semester - Last day to submit written work (unless instructor has set an earlier deadline) for winter semester
  April 23, 2008
• Last day to change grading basis for Winter Semester courses to K/RK/NK
  April 16. 2008 11:59pm
• Autumn 2008-2009 pre-registration
  April 2008

March 2008

• Last day to change grading basis for Winter Quarter courses to K/RK/NK
  March 7, 2008 11:59pm
• Last day to elect to write a paper (with permission from the instructor) instead of taking a final exam
  March 7, 2008
• Last day to file Bluebook Election form to take your exam by bluebook instead of laptop
  March 7, 2008
• Last day to file Petition to Reschedule Exam due to exam conflict or special circumstances
  March 7, 2008

February 2008

• Last day to submit spring graduation application in Axess.
  February 15, 2008
• Last day to DROP law and Winter Quarter courses outside the Law School by 11:59 p.m. via Axess (unless instructor has set an earlier deadline)
  February 3, 2008 11:59pm

January 2008

• Last day to add a Winter Quarter course outside the Law School by 11:59 p.m. via Axess.
  January 27, 2008 11:59pm
• Last day to ADD courses or units (unless instructor has set an earlier deadline)
  January 25, 2008
• Study List due (by 11:59 p.m.)
  January 25, 2008 11:59pm
• Last day to annul Winter Registration
  January 8, 2008

December 2007

• Students graduating autumn semester - Last day to submit written work (unless instructor has set an earlier deadline) for autumn semester
  December 5, 2007

November 2007

• Last day to change grading basis in law courses to K/RK/NK by 11:59 p.m. via Axess
  November 28, 2007 11:59pm
• Spring pre-registration (1L)
  Late November
• Spring pre-registration (2L, 3L, and Advanced Degree)
  Mid November
• Last day to change grading basis in courses outside the Law School by 11:59 p.m. via Axess
  November 4, 2007 11:59pm

October 2007

• Last day to DROP courses by 11:59 p.m. via Axess
  October 21. 2007 11:59pm
• Last day to elect to write a paper instead of taking a final exam
  October 19, 2007
• Last day to file Bluebook Election form to take your exam by bluebook instead of laptop
  October 19, 2007
• Last day to file Petition to Reschedule Exam due to exam conflict or special circumstances
  October 19, 2007
• The add deadline for law courses being taught on the Autumn Quarter schedule & Autumn Quarter courses outside the Law School.
  October 12. 2007

September 2007

• Last day to ADD courses (unless instructor has set an earlier deadline)
  September 28. 2007
• Last day to submit Directed Research & Senior Thesis petitions for autumn semester
  September 28. 2007
• Last day to annul Autumn Registration (2L, 3L, and Advanced Degree)
  September 4, 2007

August 2007

• Last day to annul Autumn Registration (1L)
  August 27. 2007