History Of The legal Profession

Question 1

What was the primary location for lawyer training in Nigeria before 1962?

Answer 1

Training of lawyers was done mainly in the United Kingdom.

Question 2

What are the three historical stages of the Nigerian Law School (NLS)?

Answer 2

1. 1876-1914: Qualification to practice law in Nigeria was based on admission to the Irish or English Bar.
2. 1914-1962: Era of indigenous lawyers trained in England and other U.K. countries.
3. 1962-Till Date: Establishment of the NLS.

Question 3

What procedure empowered the Chief Justice of the Federation to admit lawyers to practice in Nigeria during 1876-1914?

Answer 3

Order 15 of the 1876 Supreme Court Civil Procedure Rules.

Question 4

What deficiencies led to the establishment of the Nigerian Law School?

Answer 4

1. A degree was not required; GCE or O’ level was sufficient.
2. Training did not consider the Nigerian legal system’s peculiarities.
3. Barristers and solicitors trained in the U.K. practiced in both capacities upon returning to Nigeria.

Question 5

What committee was formed in 1959 to address deficiencies in legal training in Nigeria?

Answer 5

The Unsworth Committee.

Question 6

What act established the Nigerian Law School?

Answer 6

The Council of Legal Education Act 1962.

Question 7

How many students did the NLS start with in 1963?

Answer 7

The NLS started with eight students.

Question 8

Who are the persons entitled to practice law in Nigeria?

Answer 8

1. Persons entitled to practice by virtue of their office (e.g., A.G, Solicitor General).
2. All legal practitioners enrolled at the Supreme Court.
3. Persons granted a warrant by the Chief Justice for a particular proceeding.

Question 9

What are the conditions to qualify for admission as a legal practitioner in Nigeria?

Answer 9

1. Satisfy the Benchers of good character.
2. Produce a qualifying certificate to the Benchers.
3. Enroll as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court.
4. Pay practicing fees.

Question 10

What is the source of the qualifying certificate for Call to the Bar?

Answer 10

The qualifying certificate is issued by the Council of Legal Education.

Question 11

What are the conditions for enrollment at the Supreme Court?

Answer 11

1. Called to the Bar by the Benchers.
2. Produce the Certificate of call to the Bar to the Registrar of the Supreme Court.

Question 12

What is Partial Exemption from Attendance of the Nigerian Law School?

Answer 12

Exemption from Bar Part I for:
1. Graduates of Law from Common Law jurisdictions teaching Law in Nigeria for 5 years.
2. Graduates from non-common law jurisdictions who have taught law for 10 years in Nigeria.

Question 13

What qualifies a person for Full Exemption from attending the Nigerian Law School?

Answer 13

1. Must be a Nigerian citizen.
2. Qualified to be admitted to the Law School.
3. Lost the opportunity to attend for reasons beyond control.
4. Subjects trained on are qualifying subjects of the NLS.
5. Must have gathered at least five years of relevant knowledge and experience.