History of the Legal Profession in Nigeria

Flashcards on the History of the Legal Profession in Nigeria

In what year was Lagos ceded to the Queen of England?

August 1860

In what year was the Supreme Court Ordinance promulgated in Lagos?

1863

What were the primary problems with the legal system in Nigeria after Lagos became a British colony?

Shortage of qualified personnel and court facilities.

What ordinance was promulgated to address the shortage of qualified legal practitioners in Nigeria?

Supreme Court Ordinance of 1876

What are the three periods identifiable in the history of legal profession in Nigeria?

1876-1914, 1914-1962, Post 1962

Who were the three categories of people allowed to practice law in Nigeria during the period of 1876-1914?

Professionally qualified legal practitioners, those who served articles, and local attorneys.

During the period of 1914-1962, how many Inns of Court in England did one need to join to become a barrister?

Four

Name the four Inns of Court in England.

Middle Temple, Inner Temple, Gray’s Inn, and Lincoln’s Inn.

What does the work of a barrister typically include?

Representing clients in court, drafting court processes, and providing legal opinions.

What is role of Solicitor in England?

General legal advisor, drawing up leases and conveyances, drafting wills, and preparing commercial agreements.

What were some deficiencies of an English trained Lawyer practicing in Nigeria?

Lack of knowledge of customary law, trained in English textbooks, practice as both Barrister and Solicitor

Until what year did the deficiency of absence of the 3 months post-call practical experience not last beyond?

1945

What committee was appointed in April 1959 to correct anomalies in the legal system?

Unsworth’s Committee

What was the Unsworth Committee’s terms of reference?

To consider and make recommendations for the future of legal education and admission to practice.

What were the key recommendations from the Unsworth Committee's report?

Nigeria should establish its own system of legal education, including a faculty of law and the Nigerian Law School.

What laws were enacted to implement the recommendations of the Unsworth Committee?

Legal Education Act of 1962 and the Legal Practitioners Act of 1962

What are the three categories of people who could practice law in Nigeria after 1962?

Those entitled to practice generally, for a particular office, and for particular proceedings.

How can a person practice law generally in Nigeria?

By having their names on the roll of legal practitioners kept by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

What are the conditions for having one's name entered on the roll of legal practitioners?

Being called to Bar by the Body of Benchers and producing a certificate of call to bar to the Chief Registrar.

What are the conditions for being called to the Nigerian Bar?

Being a citizen of Nigeria, producing a Qualifying Certificate, and satisfying the Benchers of good character.

In what year was Lagos ceded to the Queen of England?

August 1860

In what year was the Supreme Court Ordinance promulgated in Lagos?

1863

What were the primary problems with the legal system in Nigeria after Lagos became a British colony?

Shortage of qualified personnel and court facilities.

What ordinance was promulgated to address the shortage of qualified legal practitioners in Nigeria?

Supreme Court Ordinance of 1876

What are the three periods identifiable in the history of legal profession in Nigeria?

1876-1914, 1914-1962, Post 1962

Who were the three categories of people allowed to practice law in Nigeria during the period of 1876-1914?

Professionally qualified legal practitioners, those who served articles, and local attorneys.

During the period of 1914-1962, how many Inns of Court in England did one need to join to become a barrister?

Four

Name the four Inns of Court in England.

Middle Temple, Inner Temple, Gray’s Inn, and Lincoln’s Inn.

What does the work of a barrister typically include?

Representing clients in court, drafting court processes, and providing legal opinions.

What is role of Solicitor in England?

General legal advisor, drawing up leases and conveyances, drafting wills, and preparing commercial agreements.

What were some deficiencies of an English trained Lawyer practicing in Nigeria?

Lack of knowledge of customary law, trained in English textbooks, practice as both Barrister and Solicitor

Until what year did the deficiency of absence of the 3 months post-call practical experience not last beyond?

1945

What committee was appointed in April 1959 to correct anomalies in the legal system?

Unsworth’s Committee

What was the Unsworth Committee’s terms of reference?

To consider and make recommendations for the future of legal education and admission to practice.

What were the key recommendations from the Unsworth Committee's report?

Nigeria should establish its own system of legal education, including a faculty of law and the Nigerian Law School.

What laws were enacted to implement the recommendations of the Unsworth Committee?

Legal Education Act of 1962 and the Legal Practitioners Act of 1962

What are the three categories of people who could practice law in Nigeria after 1962?

Those entitled to practice generally, for a particular office, and for particular proceedings.

How can a person practice law generally in Nigeria?

By having their names on the roll of legal practitioners kept by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

What are the conditions for having one's name entered on the roll of legal practitioners?

Being called to Bar by the Body of Benchers and producing a certificate of call to bar to the Chief Registrar.

What are the conditions for being called to the Nigerian Bar?

Being a citizen of Nigeria, producing a Qualifying Certificate, and satisfying the Benchers of good character.

What is needed to obtain a Qualifying Certificate?

Attendance of lectures and adherence to regulations

What body is responsible for administering legal education in Nigeria?

Council of Legal Education

What is the main function of the Body of Benchers?

To regulate entry into the legal profession.

Who are the members of the Body of Benchers?

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation, retired Chief Justices, and legal practitioners of good standing.

What committee is responsible for discipline of lawyers?

Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee

What are the functions of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee?

To hear and determine allegations of misconduct against legal practitioners.

What body is responsible for determining the scale of charges for legal services?

Legal Practitioners Remuneration Committee.

To make orders regulating the charges legal practitioners may make to