Regulatory Bodies Flashcards
What are the are the regulatory bodies of the Legal Profession?
Body of Benchers - S.3 Legal Practitioners Act
Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee - S.11 Legal Practitioners Act.
Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) - S.5 Legal Practitioners Act
Legal Practitioners Remuneration Committee - S.15 Legal Practitioners Act
Council of Legal Education - S.1 (1) Legal Education (Consolidation) Act
Nigerian Bar Association
General Council of the Bar
Nigerian Judicial Council
Body of Benchers
This is the body with the highest distinction in the legal profession.
What does it consist of?
12
Chief Justice of Nigeria (Life Bencher) and all the Justices of the Supreme Court.
The President of the Court of Appeal and the Justices of the Court of Appeal divisions.
The Attorney General of the Federation.
Attorneys General of all the States.
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.
Chief Judge of the FCT.
The Chief Judges of all the States.
The Chairman of the Council of Legal Education.
30 legal practitioners nominated by the NBA.
Not more than 10 legal practitioners who appear to the Body of Benchers to be eminent legal practitioners of not less than 15 years post call.
How does a person cease to be a member?
- An individual may cease to be a member if he voluntarily resigns.
- If he ceases to holds the office by virtue of the office of which he was appointed.
- if he is removed for misconduct.
Is the Body of Benchers a juristic person?
The body is a juristic person meaning they can sue and be sued.
Quorum for Benchers
10
Types of Benchers
There are two types of benchers namely: Benchers and Statutory Life Bencher.
Statutory Life Benchers
o This means that if they seize to be holders of the offices, they will still be members.
o The CJN is an automatic life Bencher.
Rights and Privileges of a Life Bencher
o They have the exclusive privilege of sitting at the inner bar.
o The right to mention any cause or matter, on the cause list and not otherwise listed for hearing out of turn.
Functions of the Body of Benchers
- The formal call to bar of persons seeking to become legal practitioners.
- Disciplinary jurisdiction over legal practitioners.
- Disciplinary jurisdiction over students seeking to become members of the legal practitioners.
S.19 (2): this function is delegated to the council of legal education.- They prescribe the call fees to be paid by aspirant.
It was previously responsible for the prescription of practicing fees- this is now performed by the AGF as Chair of Gen Council of the Bar in consultation of the NBA.
- They prescribe the call fees to be paid by aspirant.
- Issuance of Certificate of Call to Bar to new wigs –S.4 (3) LPA.
- They prescribe the number of dining terms- currently three times.
- Ensure aspirants are of good character.
- Maintain at all times the traditional values of the profession.
- The Body of Benchers has also been given the responsibility of the general management of the affairs of the NBA.
How many dining terms are students expected to keep?
• Students are generally expected to keep three dinning terms.
Behaviour during law dinner.
- Students are expected to observe decent behavior with appropriate table manners and decorum.
- During dinner students are allowed to speak to colleagues in low tones.
- Not allowed to move about.
- Not allowed to take photographs.
Format of Law Dinner
- Students are to be checked in and seated latest 30 minutes to the time.
- The D-G or Deputy D-G will file in with the professional staff of the law school.
- The Members of the Body of Benchers will follow after *three knocks. Students are expected to remain standing.
- Opening prayer is said.
- Students are expected to stand up for the opening prayer.
- A Bencher will give the loyal toast.
- The dinner is served- it is usually a 3 course meal.
- There will be an after dinner speech.
- All will stand for the closing prayer.
- Benchers leave first.
n. b:. After the benchers’ entry, you will not be allowed entry or exit.
Loyal Toast
In the course of eating a member of the body of benchers will propose a loyal toast:
May I request all of you to rise up and charge your glasses. The FRN is a nation abundantly blessed by God in all areas of human endeavour.
May we toast, to the prosperity and sustainance of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Reply: To the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee
- Established under S.11 Legal Practitioners Act.
- It is responsible for allegations of misconduct by legal practitioners.
- Punishing the offence.