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Qualifying as a lawyer in Ghana or Nigeria

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sianmorgan

Joined: 03 Jul 2007
Posts: 9
Qualifying as a lawyer in Ghana or Nigeria
Wed Jul 04, 2007 10:48 PM
I am interested in qualifying as a lawyer in Ghana or Nigeria. Can anybody advise me on the process or where I could find out? I am afraid I have no knowledge on this and I don't even know if the profession is split between solicitor and barrister as in England or not? I would like to know if their is a bar exam and if you also have to do a training contract or pupillge? Also is the CPE from an English University recognised and is are the LPC and/or BVC from England recognised? I appreciate I am ignorant on this so would be grateful for some help.
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Njoku Chinonso

Joined: 18 Jul 2007
Posts: 2
Qualifying as a lawyer in Ghana or Nigeria
Thu Jul 19, 2007 04:21 PM
In Nigeria you would be required to go to the University and study Law for a 5years duration after which you would go to the Law school for 9months intensive training .
At the end of the training,you would sit for the Bar part 2 Examination and if you pass you would be called to the Nigerian Bar.
In Nigeria ,a Lawyer practises as a solicitor and Barrister.
I hope this is helpful.
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ufan

Joined: 25 Mar 2007
Posts: 2
Qualifying as a lawyer in Ghana or Nigeria
Tue Jul 24, 2007 03:53 PM
Hi there!
If you already have a degree in law from another university out of Nigeria,( which I suppose you do have) all you have to do is apply to go to the Nigeria Law school where you will be prepared for the Bar Part 1 exams and if you are successful, you will go ahead to do the Bar Part 2 which will qualify you to be called to the bar and practise as a barrister and solicitor. Yes, there is the "pupillage" thing in Nigeria, but it is not for a year as in Uk. Its just for about 3 months of Chambers and Court attachement. Its fun and full of experience depending on where you do it! Wish you best of luck.

[Edited 24 Jul 2007 by ufan]
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sassy

Joined: 05 Sep 2007
Posts: 1
Qualifying as a lawyer in Ghana or Nigeria
Thu Sep 06, 2007 11:59 AM
Hi,
If its not too late to consider studying in Ghana, heres what happens. Its similar to that in Nigeria. If you do not have an llb u need to get one, at the University of Ghana its a two-year postgraduate degree, then to the Ghana School of law for another two years. No bar exams are taken as your exams from two years in law school count towards that. its the same process if u already have an llb, u go straight to law school for two years and you practise both as a solicitor and barrister. If u have already qualified n an english commonlaw country you do a six month course and are calle to the Ghanaian bar. Hope this helps
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lovely21

Joined: 05 Sep 2007
Posts: 1
Qualifying as a lawyer in Ghana or Nigeria
Thu Sep 06, 2007 08:09 PM
I am currently pursuing a law career in england and plan to practise in england and ghana as well. If you want to qualify in Ghana (and save the conversion time to the ghana bar) it is imperative to be called to the Bar in whatever jurisdiction you undertake your law course. If you qualify as a solicitor I believe you would have to take 2yrs at the Ghana Law School instead of taking the shorter conversion course. I am not sure how long the conversion course is, I have heard varying lengths at 3 and 6 months.

Hope this helps
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maus

Joined: 09 Oct 2007
Posts: 1
Qualifying as a lawyer in Ghana or Nigeria
Wed Oct 10, 2007 09:17 PM
at the moment i am told it is only 2 months!!! but can someone shed light on the fees? I have been tld $2000/£2000. There is a vast difference between those 2 figures!
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PQ012

Joined: 27 Jan 2008
Posts: 1
Qualifying as a lawyer in Ghana or Nigeria
Mon Jan 28, 2008 07:50 AM
iI AM A NEW USER AND HAVE HEARD THAT THE FEES RANGE BETWEEN 2000 TO £3000. BUT I THINK IT IS £2000. I AM QUITE HAPPY ABOUT THIS DISCUSSION BOARD. I AM CONTEMPLATING DOING THE CONVERSION COURSE IN GHANA. HOWEVER, I AM NOT QUITE SURE HOW DIFFICULT OR STRESSFUL IT IS. APPRAENTLY IT IS JUST A COUSRE FOR SIX MONTHS AND THATS IT BUT I GUESS THERE IS MORE TO IT. i AM ASKING ABOUT THIS BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY I AM HOPING THAT AFTER ALL THE SLEEPNESS NIGHTS BEFORE PASSING MY BAR IN LONDON, HOPEFULLY THE CONVERSION COURSE WILL BE OAKY. DOES ANYONE KNOW ABOUT THE MODULES STUDIED ON THE CONVERSION COURSE AND HOW DID YOU FIND THE COURSE? TELL ME MORE
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sianmorgan

Joined: 03 Jul 2007
Posts: 9
Qualifying as a lawyer in Ghana or Nigeria
Sun Feb 24, 2008 02:35 PM
Does anybody have the contact details in Ghana for finding out more about this conversion course? Also does anybody know what is the position for a barrister i.e.called to the bar but who does not have an LLB (passed CPE instead) for taking this shorter course for already qualified lawyers?

Can anyone comment on the acceptablity in general of the CPE in Ghana or for that matter anywhere else??

[Edited 24 Feb 2008 by sianmorgan]
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nanaamponsah

Joined: 01 Jun 2008
Posts: 1
Qualifying as a lawyer in Ghana or Nigeria
Sun Jun 01, 2008 11:23 PM
I am a Canadian lawyer looking to qualify for the Ghanaian Bar. Does anyone have complete details on the current process or contact information in Ghana?

[Edited 01 Jun 2008 by nanaamponsah]
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