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…places emphasis on merit, professional intergrity as requirement for SAN rank
..move to curb rise of fake lawyers
From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
A bill to grant corporate legal status to the Body of Benchers, ensure that the rank of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) is granted on merit and address quack lawyers, among others, has passed second reading in the Senate.
The bill, Legal Practitioners Bill, was raised for second reading on Wednesday in plenary. Sponsored by Senate Leader Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, it seeks to repeal the nearly 60-year-old Legal Practitioners Act and replace it with a modern regulatory framework that aligns with global standards and responds to today’s complex legal environment.
Leading the debate, Bamidele said the outdated law currently governing legal practice in Nigeria was designed “for a legal environment that no longer exists,” stressing that the transformation of technology, courtroom processes, commercial transactions and cross-border disputes demands a complete restructuring of the profession’s regulatory architecture.
He disclosed that the bill offers a comprehensive modernisation plan in line with developments in the United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa and Kenya.
A central feature of the bill is the far-reaching restructuring of the Body of Benchers, which Bamidele described as the “apex regulatory institution” of the profession. For the first time, the body will be granted corporate legal personality, financial autonomy, a strengthened secretariat and clear rule-making authority.
According to him, these changes would provide a more coordinated, structured and modern framework for regulating admission to the Bar, discipline and professional standards.
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The bill also proposes significant reforms to the conferment of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) rank, a process long criticised for opacity and inconsistencies. While Bamidele did not go into exhaustive detail during the debate, he emphasised that the new provisions are meant to align the prestigious title with higher benchmarks of merit, transparency and professional integrity, ensuring it reflects excellence in advocacy and legal scholarship.
Another major highlight is the bill’s move to criminalise unauthorised legal practice, a response to the rising instances of impostors and unqualified individuals posing as lawyers to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians. The legislation clearly defines what constitutes the practice of law and introduces strict penalties to deter fake lawyers and protect citizens from fraud and professional abuse.
Beyond these reforms, the bill outlines a complete overhaul of the disciplinary system. Bamidele noted that the current disciplinary processes are slow, ineffective and unable to meet the expectations of the public. The proposed law restructures the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee by creating multiple panels nationwide, granting clearer sanctioning powers including suspension, striking-off, restitution, compensation and formal apologies, and mandating the publication of all disciplinary outcomes to strengthen transparency.
Practitioners will also have a guaranteed right of appeal to the Supreme Court.
He further explained that the legislation introduces an Ethics, Adherence and Enforcement Committee empowered to inspect law offices, demand documents, investigate public complaints, ensure compliance with regulations and prosecute cases before the disciplinary committee. These innovations, the Leader explained, are aimed at restoring confidence in the legal profession by ensuring stronger ethics, more effective oversight and improved accountability.
To better equip young lawyers, the bill proposes a two-year mandatory pupilage period for newly called lawyers, unless exempted under special circumstances. It also makes Continuing Professional Development programmes compulsory for practising licence renewal, ensuring that lawyers remain competent and up to date throughout their careers.
Bamidele urged his colleagues to support what he called “the most far-reaching reform of the Nigerian legal profession in the history of this country,” saying the bill strengthens discipline, enhances competence, protects clients, supports young practitioners and boosts public trust in the justice system.
The bill was approved for second reading and referred to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further legislative processing.
