Professional Legal Conduct and Court Procedures

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers professional legal attire for men and women in Nigerian courts, proper modes of addressing various judges, rules of professional conduct, and the specific duties of prosecuting and defence counsel.

Men's Attire (Superior Courts)

Black or dark – blue $2/3$ – piece suit, white collarless shirt, white winged collar, white bib (elastic/lawn), $2$ studs (back & front), black shoes with black stockings, including robes (wig and gown).

Women's Attire (Superior Courts)

Black or dark blue suit or straight long sleeve dress or knee-length skirt & jacket, white blouse, white collaret, or ladies’ white band & black shoes, including robes (wig and gown).

Men's Attire (Inferior Courts)

White shirt, long black, dark blue or grey tie, with no wig & gown.

Women's Attire (Inferior Courts)

Standard legal dressing except without the collaret or white band and no wig and gown.

High Court Addressing

The proper mode of address is "My Lord".

Court of Appeal Addressing

The proper mode of address is "My Lords" or "Your Lordship".

Supreme Court of Nigeria Addressing

The proper mode of address is "My Lords & Your Lordship".

Colleague-Colleague Addressing

The proper mode of address used between fellow counsel is "My Learned Friend".

Lagos Magistrate Addressing

The proper mode of address is "Your Honour".

Magistrate Courts Addressing

The proper mode of address used generally for magistrate courts is "Your Worship".

Rule 31 RPC

States that counsel must treat the court with respect, dignity, and honour, and be fully prepared to go ahead with the case.

Rule 33 RPC

Provision stating that counsel must avoid trial publicity.

Rule 34 RPC

The rule governing the relation between counsel and judges.

Duty of Prosecuting Counsel

Under Rule 37(6), the duty is not to secure conviction but to ensure justice is done.

Unethical Conduct in Criminal Cases

The suppression of acts or secreting of witnesses.

Odofin Bello V The State

The legal authority regarding the necessity of timely disclosure to defence counsel.

Duty of Defence Counsel

To defend the accused regardless of personal opinion as to the individual's guilt.