Morning Docket: 10.27.16

* Results are out for the July 2016 administration of the South Carolina bar exam, and it appears that the Charleston School of Law is having trouble when it comes to its grads' ability to pass. Barely half of test-takers from the law school passed (50.9 percent), down from 57.4 percent last year, and 65.3 percent the year before that. Whoops! [FITS News] * No matter what Senator Ted Cruz says, when it comes to the Supreme Court, eight isn't enough. In fact, according to what Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said at a recent New York City Bar event, "Eight is not a good number." Justice Sonia Sotomayor agreed, stating, "I think we hope there will be nine as quickly as possible." [Washington Post] * The Supreme Court bar rarely meets, but when it does, it's to honor the passing of a deceased justice. On November 4, the Supreme Court bar will convene to honor the late Justice Antonin Scalia, and the ceremony will be live-streamed, and several judges, law firm partners, law professors, and former clerks will give remarks. [Supreme Court Brief] * "[T]his appeal presents a situation in which all the justices’ impartiality might be questioned." Controversial Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore wants his suspension to be lifted, but all of his former judicial colleagues have recused themselves, so several retired judges will be hearing his appeal. [Associated Press via ABA Journal] * China’s Ministry of Justice has ordered that all lawyers "support the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party." Lawyers are prohibited from making statements that "reject [China's] fundamental political system," "endanger national security," or "attack or slander" the judicial system. They could face disbarment for disobeying. [WSJ Law Blog]