The General Legal Council has issued a statement refuting recent media reports suggesting that lawyers will soon be obligated to take exams in order to renew their licenses.

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The statement, dated May 8, 2023, clarified that the reports were based on a misinterpretation of remarks made by the Chief Justice during the enrollment ceremony for 196 new lawyers on May 5, 2023.

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The Council quoted a portion of the Chief Justice's speech in its statement.

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“Lawyers in the country will soon be mandated to complete a minimum of a 12-hour professional development programme in a year before the renewal of their license.

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This is to help broaden their knowledge and contribute to their growth in the profession.

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In line with that, plans were far advanced to make the programme, which was enshrined in the Legal Profession (Professional Conduct and Etiquette) Rules, 2020 (Legislative Instrument 2423) a prerequisite for the issuance of a practicing license to all lawyers under the Legal Profession Bill which would soon be made law,” the Council noted that reports were published which sought to suggest that lawyers will soon be required to write an exam.

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In the statement, the Council noted that the portion of the speech by the Chief Justice in no way suggests that any such initiative will be introduced, rather it said, there will be a ‘Continuing Professional Development’ programme, which is a standard requirement in some jurisdictions around the world.

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“There was no mention of Lawyers being required to write examinations at all before a renewal of License and indeed no such amendment to the Law is about to be made,” portions of the statement read.

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