Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, signed into law three bills passed by Parliament, including the Legal Education, Value for Money Office Act, and the Governance Advisory Council Act.
The Legal Education Act, signed by Mahama, brought an end to the exclusive authority that the Ghana School of Law held over the professional legal education.
By terminating the monopoly of the Ghana School of Law in training lawyers, the president introduced healthy competition among training institutions to provide quality training.
“The Legal Education Act is a gamechanger for our justice system. By ending the exclusive authority of the Ghana School of Law over professional legal education, we are introducing healthy competition and opening doors for more institutions to provide high-quality training,” part of a statement from Mahama read.
Further, Mahama emphasized that opening the training opportunities to other institutions will ensure that Ghana maintains high standards when creating the space for aspiring lawyers.
On the other hand, the signed Value for Money Office Act will ensure that offices in Ghana serve as the frontline defense against inflated contracts, cost-revenue, and wasteful spending.
According to Mahama, the signed Governance Advisory Council Act will promote good governance and public trust.
Ghana Education Reforms Signed by Mahama
As part of reforms to the Ghana lawyer training monopoly, a council was established to regulate professional legal education and training in Ghana.
In addition, the Legal Education Act also provided the curriculum and set standards for legal education.
A standardized National Bar Examination will be used to maintain the quality and standards of the legal profession as part of the reform.
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Kenya Law Training
In Kenya, training for lawyers is conducted through a centralized professional training model administered by the Kenya School of Law (KSL) and overseen by the Council of Legal Education (CLE).
CLE ensures that the law training institutions are maintaining standards and are accredited to offer the training to legal practitioners.
Additionally, CLE is responsible for recognizing Bachelor of Laws degrees and equating foreign qualifications at an academic level.
To qualify for the Advocates Training Program (ATP), legal practitioners must complete training in core legal subjects and meet the eligibility criteria set by KSL.
Eligible practitioners are required to sit for the Pre-Bar Examination or meet the gazettement requirements set by the CLE before admission to the ATP.
ATP is conducted over 18 months, with 12 months of clinical training at KSL and an additional 6-month pupillage.
Upon completion of the 18-month training, the CLE administers the Bar Examination, and successful legal practitioners are then eligible for admission to the Roll of Advocates by the Chief Justice of Kenya.
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South Africa Law Training
Unlike in Kenya, South Africa distinguishes between general legal practitioners and court-focused legal practitioners who are advocates.
The training is conducted through a decentralized, contract-based practical training model, with examination oversight and standards set by the LPC, and with no single national professional school.
The Legal Practice Council (LPC) regulates standards, practical training, and enrolment in legal studies in South Africa.
During the academic-level training that takes up to 4 years, a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree, the minimum qualification for both advocates and attorneys, is awarded by a South African University or a recognized equivalent.
However, for the Attorneys, they must serve a Practical Vocational Training (PVT) contract for 2 years under a supervising attorney, while advocates complete pupillage in 12 months under a practicing advocate.
