NIGERIAN BAR association strives for LEGAL REFORMS

The nigerian bar association , held a summit in abuja where its national secretariat is situated. Various stakeholders were brought together and consolidated a communique of intended legal reforms

The NBA summit became a means of reflection of the state of its legal education as pertains to global relevance, technological advancement, professional competence and ethical integrity.

It was unanimously agreed that the quality of legal education correlates with the quality of justice available to the population.

Observations that were made included the following. The practice needs to be able to comply with global best practices and contemporary legal realities. Overcrowding in facilities , uneven academic standards and deficient practical training. Thirdly, a disparity amongst legal graduates who are vocationally trained and university trained.

Moreover, it was highlighted that the over admission of the Nigerian law school is a contentious matter.

The summit concluded with the following resolutions. Standardizing the legal rules of legal education for quality assurance and institutional accountability.

Secondly, reviewing the LL.B curriculum to encompass technology and artificial intelligence law, data protection and cyber security law, energy and environmental law, commercial and international trade law and regulatory and compliance governance.

Thirdly, institutionalizing moots and clinical experience.

In addition to all of the aforementioned, integrating digital tools and legal data bases..

The propositions further entailed the council of legal education be separated from the NLS to enable autonomy in oversight. A further call has been made for the government to allocate sufficient funding in its budgetary allocation.

For students a compulsory pupillage of two years is also being proposed through the Legal education regulation bill

The summit reaffirms that legal education reforms must be continuous and coordinated.