LEGAL EDUCATION REFORM BILL, 2025

MEMORANDUM
The object of the Bill is to establish the Council for Legal Education and Training to regulate professional legal education in Ghana and provide the curriculum and standards for legal education.

When Ghana attained independence from British colonial rule in 1957, the path to the legal profession in terms of training was governed by the Legal Practitioners Ordinance (CAP 8) as amended by the Legal Practitioners Act, 1958 (No. 22). The Legal Practitioners Act, 1958 (No. 22) created the General Legal Council, and mandated it to, among other things, organise legal education in Ghana. As a first step, the General Legal Council established the Ghana School of Law to provide professional legal training in the country. The Act also created the Board of Legal Education and empowered it to administer and supervise legal education and prepare candidates for admission to the Ghana Bar. Particularly, the Board of Legal Education was to develop and establish courses of instruction, conduct examinations, and publish examination results.

Currently, legal education is regulated by the Legal Profession Act, 1960 (Act 32). Act 32, which repealed the Legal Practitioners Ordinance (CAP 8) and the Legal Practitioners Act, 1958 (No. 22) was passed to amend and consolidate the law relating to the legal profession. Act 32 integrates the legal framework on the education and training of persons who wish to become lawyers with the legal framework for the practice of law. However, a perusal of Act 32 shows that it deals more comprehensively with matters pertaining to the regulation of the legal profession than with matters of legal education. This is problematic in at least two ways. Firstly, the Act 32 regime leaves professional legal education and training largely unregulated. Secondly, the regime conflates the regulation of professional legal education with the regulation of professional law practice and vests the two frameworks in one body of persons, namely the General Legal Council, though the General Legal Council may delegate the immediate administration and supervision of legal education to the Board of Legal Education.

The problem which came with the Act 32 regime compounded over the decades. Six decades since its passage, very little has been done about the formulation of comprehensive rules and regulations on the professional education or training of lawyers. Currently, the Legal Profession (Professional and Post-Call Law Course) Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2355), the Legal Profession (Professional Conduct and Etiquette) Rules, 2020 (L.I. 2423) and the Legal Profession (Disciplinary Committee) Rules, 2020 (L.I. 2424) regulate the legal profession. However, these pieces of regulatory instruments fall short of dealing with the challenges which currently face professional legal education and training in Ghana.

The Ghana School of Law, a public institution, operates under Act 32 as the sole institution which provides professional legal education to aspiring lawyers. In the past, almost all the students who were admitted to the Ghana School of Law were graduates from the Faculty of Law of the University of Ghana. This was when the University of Ghana was the only institution in Ghana which awarded the Bachelor of Laws degree. Up to about the year 2000, the University of Ghana produced an average of about seventy students, who were all almost automatically absorbed into the Ghana School of Law Qualifying Certificate training programme. There was, up to this point, very little challenge to professional legal education in Ghana.

Recently, however, things have changed quite drastically. There is a growing number of eligible students seeking admission to the Ghana School of Law. This is a result of the increase in the number of universities which offer the Bachelor of Laws degree programme and the concomitant number of students who obtain that degree. Additionally, there is a considerable increase in the number of Ghanaians who have obtained the Bachelor of Laws degree or its equivalent from other common law or its analogous jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, the United States of America, South Africa, Australia, India and Nigeria. These developments have created a problem of capacity. The Ghana School of Law appears to have significantly diminished in capacity, in terms of infrastructure, human resources, finance and administration, to admit and train all the students who qualify for admission to the Qualifying Certificate programme in accordance with Act 32. This presents a severe challenge. That is to say that the model of professional legal education which Act 32, through the Ghana School of Law, presents today has, demonstrably, moved out of tune with the realities of modern Ghana, especially the demands of the market for legal services, both in respect of quantity and of quality.

The Legal Education Reform Bill, 2025 seeks to introduce legislative measures which, broadly, are aimed at increasing access to legal education while maintaining high quality standards in learning and teaching outcomes. To achieve this, the Bill proposes, primarily, to separate the regulation of legal education from the regulation of the legal profession while at the same time strengthening the control of the bar association over standards of legal education.

The Bill, thus, seeks to move the professional legal education and training programme from the Ghana School of Law to the universities. To achieve this, the Bill introduces a Law Practice Training Course, which will be offered by accredited universities to prepare eligible candidates for a National Bar Examination. In this regard, the Law Practice Training Course will consist of mainly clinical legal education that emphasises the acquisition of practical lawyering skills over theoretical legal education. Holders of the Bachelor of Laws degree or other approved first degrees in law will be required to apply to an accredited university for admission to the Law Practice Training Course before applying to sit for the National Bar Examination.

To this end, the Bill seeks to establish the Council for Legal Education and Training to succeed the General Legal Council, but only in respect of the functions of the Board of Legal Education of the General Legal Council. The Council for Legal Education and Training will be composed of distinguished members of the Ghanaian Bar and academia and be responsible for licensing and giving accreditation to universities to provide the Law Practice Training Course. The Attorney-General will continue to be the Minister responsible for legal education and training.

Clauses 1 to 3 of the Bill provide for the Council for Legal Education and Training. Clause 1 establishes the Council for Legal Education and Training as a body corporate.

The object of the Council, as specified in clause 2, is to regulate legal education in the country.

Clause 3 outlines the functions of the Council. The Council is mandated to give accreditation to universities to provide professional legal education and training in Ghana, set the standards for the accreditation of universities in collaboration with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission and supervise the accredited universities to ensure continued compliance with the set standards of accreditation.

The Council is also responsible for undertaking the professional and practical training of persons who seek to become members of the legal profession, making provision for courses of study and the practical instruction of law students in accredited universities, advising the Government on matters relating to legal education and recommending national standards and norms of legal education to be adopted by accredited universities.

Other functions of the Council are to evaluate courses of study provided by accredited universities to accord with appropriate recognition of legal qualifications obtained in institutions in other common law jurisdictions with analogous legal systems as Ghana, for purposes of admission to the Bar, control, supervise and administer the assets of the Council to achieve the object of the Council, invest the funds of the Council that are not required for immediate use as the Council considers appropriate and perform any other function that is incidental to the achievement of the object of the Council.

Clauses 4 to 10 deal with the governance of the Council. Clause 4 provides for an eleven-member Board as the governing body of the Council. The members of the Board are the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, one person nominated by the Attorney-General and

Minister for Justice not below the rank of a Chief State Attorney and three representatives of the Bar, each with not less than fifteen years’ experience at the Bar. Other members of the Board are representatives of the Ministry responsible for Education and the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, a person who teaches law in an accredited public university not below the rank of Senior Lecturer, a person who teaches law in an accredited private university not below the rank of Senior Lecturer, a retired Justice of the Superior Courts and the Registrar as the Secretary.

Under clause 5, the functions of the Board are to exercise general oversight responsibility for the strategic direction of the Council, ensure the achievement of the object of the Council and ensure the effective and efficient performance of the functions of the Council.

Standard provisions on the tenure of office of members of the Board, the meetings of the Board, disclosure of interest, the establishment of committees and allowances are provided for in clauses 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 respectively.

Clauses 11 to 14 provide for the administration of the Council.

The appointment of the Registrar of the Council is provided for in clause 11. Under the clause, the Registrar is to hold office on the terms and conditions specified in the letter of appointment.

Under clause 12, the functions of the Registrar include being responsible for the day-to-day administration of the affairs of the Council, being answerable to the Board in the performance of functions and performing any other function assigned by the Board.

Clause 13 deals with the appointment of other staff of the Council that are necessary for the efficient and effective performance of the functions of the Council. Other public officers may be transferred to or seconded to the Council or may otherwise assist the Council. The clause further empowers the Council to, on the recommendation of the Board, engage the services of advisors and consultants for the efficient and effective performance of the functions of the Council.

Clause 14 provides for the Internal Audit Unit of the Council in accordance with section 83 of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921).

The Bill caters for financial matters of the Council in clauses 15 to 18.

Clause 15 provides for the funds of the Council, which include moneys approved by Parliament, internally generated funds, returns on investment and donations, gifts and grants.

Clause 16 provides for the bank account of the Council. Moneys for the Council are to be paid into a bank account opened for that purpose with the approval of the Controller and Accountant-General.

Standard provisions on accounts and audit and annual report and other reports are set out in clauses 17 and 18.

Clauses 19 to 34 provide for the accreditation of universities to provide the Law Practice Training Course.

Clause 19 mandates the Council to, in collaboration with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, set standards for the accreditation of universities to provide the Law Practice Training Course. Under the clause, the Council is required to, in setting the standards, have regard to the availability, among other things, of library resources that serve teaching, research and other educational objectives of the university, including access to online library resources and hard copy legal materials and a law library that has the law reports, legislation, articles and journals on law and law dictionaries in electronic or hard copy.

Other matters to be considered by the Council under the clause include the availability of requisite physical infrastructure necessary for running the programmes and operations of the university and adequate space for administrative and teaching staff.

The requirement for an accreditation licence to provide legal education and offer the Law Practice Training Course is provided for in clause 20. The clause prohibits a person in charge of the law degree programme of a university from offering or providing the Law Practice Training Course unless the university has obtained accreditation from the Council. A person who contravenes the clause commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than ten thousand penalty units and not more than twenty thousand penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not less than fifteen years and not more than twenty years or to both.

Under clause 21, a person in charge of the law degree programme of a university who seeks accreditation for the university to offer or provide the Law Practice Training Course is required to submit an application in the prescribed form to the Council.

Under clause 22, the Council is required to, on receipt of an application for accreditation, constitute a committee to conduct an evaluation of the university that seeks to offer or provide the Law Practice Training Course. The committee constituted under the clause is required to review the documents submitted by the applicant and any other document that relates to the university, conduct an on-site evaluation of the premises of the law degree programme of the university within a period specified by the Council and present a written report to the Council on the evaluation conducted by the committee.

Clause 23 mandates the Council to review the report of the committee submitted under clause 22 to determine compliance with the standards set by the Council and to issue a provisional accreditation licence if, among other things, the Council is satisfied that the university is in substantial compliance with the standards of accreditation set by the Council and that the university is suitable and competent to offer the Law Practice Training Course.

The other requirements for the issue of a provisional accreditation licence are the presentation of a plan for bringing the university into full compliance with each of the standards within two years after the issue of a provisional accreditation licence, the indication of the specific actions that the university intends to take to bring the university into full compliance with the standards and the manner in which the plans will be executed.

The requirement to obtain a full accreditation licence is dealt with in clause 24. A university that is issued with a provisional accreditation licence is required to, within two years after the issue of the provisional accreditation licence, apply for a full accreditation licence from the Council.

Under clause 25, an application for a full accreditation licence is to be made to the Council not earlier than a year and half and not later than two years after the issue of a provisional accreditation licence. The application is to be accompanied with a copy of the provisional accreditation licence of the university, information on the administrative structure of the university and the curriculum and teaching methodology of the university, evidence of compliance with the standards set by the Council and the prescribed fee.

Clause 26 mandates the Council to, on receipt of an application for a full accreditation licence, constitute a committee to conduct an evaluation of the university that seeks to offer the Law Practice Training Course. The committee constituted under the clause is required to review the documents submitted by the applicant and any other document that relates to the university, conduct an on-site evaluation of the premises of the university within a period specified by the Council and present a written report to the Council on the evaluation conducted by the committee.

Where the Council is satisfied that the applicant is in full compliance with the standards set by the Council, the Council is required, under clause 27 to issue a full accreditation licence in the prescribed form to the university.

A university that is issued with an accreditation licence is required, under clause 28, to display the licence conspicuously in the registered office of the university, preferably in the facility where the university runs the law degree programme and to indicate in the official letters and documents of the law degree programme of the university that the university has been issued with a provisional accreditation licence or a full accreditation licence, as the case may be.

Clause 29 mandates the Council to, within fourteen days after issuing an accreditation licence, publish the name of the licensee in the Gazette and at least one daily newspaper of nationwide circulation.

The grounds for the suspension of an accreditation licence, as specified under clause 30, are the use of a falsified document or the submission of false information in an application for an accreditation licence, failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the accreditation licence or failure to comply with the provisions of the Bill or Regulations made under the Bill.

Clause 31 empowers the Council to restore an accreditation licence that was suspended if the licensee remedies the breach in the manner specified by the Council.

The grounds for the revocation of an accreditation licence, under clause 32, include failure to remedy a breach that results in a suspension of the accreditation licence, failure to comply with the standards set by the Council or failure to make the required progress towards achieving full compliance with each of the standards set by the Council and a full accreditation licence.

Clause 33 mandates the Council to carry out inspections of accredited universities at least twice during each academic year or once each semester to ensure compliance with the standards determined by the Council.

Under clause 34, a university that is aggrieved with a decision of the Council in respect of the grant or refusal of an accreditation licence, the terms and conditions of an accreditation licence or the suspension or revocation of an accreditation licence is entitled to appeal to the Legal Education Reform Appeals Tribunal established under clause 74.

Matters relating to the administration of a law degree programme of a university are dealt with in clauses 35 to 42. Clause 35 requires a law degree programme of a university to be administered by a Dean, an administrator, an accounts officer and administrative staff that are necessary for the effective and efficient performance of the administrative functions of the law degree programme of the university.

Under clause 36, the Dean of the law degree programme of a university is to be the chief academic and administrative officer of the law degree programme. In addition, the clause specifies the qualifications a person must have in order to be appointed as a Dean of the law degree programme of a university.

The functions of the Dean of the law degree programme of a university, as outlined under clause 37, include acting as the chief intermediary between the law degree programme and the university, managing the finances and budgets of the law degree programme and implementing the educational and professional objectives of the law degree programme in a manner not inconsistent with the broader objectives of the mission, vision and strategic plan of the university.

A person qualifies to be appointed as an administrator of the law degree programme of a university, under clause 38, if the person demonstrates record-keeping and record-retrieval skills, administrative skills, effective communication skills, monitoring, supervisory and appraising skills, confidence and accessibility to the members of staff and students of the law degree programme and knowledge of financial management.

Under clause 39, the functions of an administrator of a law degree programme of a university include keeping and maintaining records of the law degree programme, taking charge of the administration of examinations and other assessments, supervising the non-teaching staff of the law degree programme, serving as the head of human resource of the law degree programme and performing any other function assigned by the Dean.

Under clause 40, a person qualifies to be appointed as an accounts officer of a law degree programme of a university if that person is an accountant who has not less than ten years’ experience in accounting.

The functions of an accounts officer of a law degree programme of a university, under clause 41, include managing the accounts of the law degree programme and making recommendations for budgetary allocations, spearheading the drawing of the budget of the law degree programme, making disbursements from the accounts of the law degree programme as may be directed by the Dean, evaluating the internal financial management procedures and making recommendations on how to improve the financial status of the law degree programme.

Clause 42 specifies the records of the law degree programme of a university which are to be maintained by a person in charge of the law degree programme. These include records of application and ancillary records, admission records, files and progress reports of students, transcripts and meetings of the Board and committees of the law degree programme.

The requirements for admission to a Bachelor of Laws degree programme are dealt with in clauses 43 to 45.

Clause 43 mandates a person in charge of the law degree programme of a university to, subject to the approval of the Council, set uniform minimum standards of admission to assess the academic potential of a prospective law student to ensure that the student has the capacity to complete the Bachelor of Laws degree programme and practise law effectively. The clause further requires a person in charge of a law degree programme of a university to determine the minimum standards of admission through a fair and transparent entrance examination or any other standard for the admission of a student to the Bachelor of Laws degree programme.

Clause 44 prohibits an accredited university from discriminating against an applicant for admission to a Bachelor of Laws degree programme on the grounds of race, gender, place of origin, colour, religion, social or economic status, language or any form of disability. The clause also mandates a university to formulate sound policies and procedures on admission which provide equal opportunity and prohibit discrimination.

Clause 45 empowers an accredited university to adopt special admission measures for the purpose of increasing the representation of persons with disability in the legal community, including special measures to enable students with disability pursue legal education and the maintenance of adequate infrastructure which is accessible to persons with disability.

Provision is made, in clauses 46 to 53, for the academic curriculum and methodology for legal education.

Clause 46 mandates the Council to, in consultation with accredited universities, develop a comprehensive curriculum for the Bachelor of Laws degree programme.

Under clause 47, the curriculum for the Bachelor of Laws degree programme is to provide for, among other things, instructions that are necessary for the impartation of a particular subject matter or skill, practical and theoretical training in the law, an opportunity to take elective courses and training in information technology and the law, having regard to the rapid growth of technology in the legal profession globally.

The minimum requirement for the award of the Bachelor of Laws degree, under clause 48, is the satisfactory completion of the number of courses of study that amount to a number of credit hours that the Council determines, taking into consideration the general policy of the university in which the law degree programme operates regarding the number of credit hours required for completion. The clause further requires a person in charge of a law degree programme of a university to formulate written policies to regulate regular and punctual attendance to the academic engagements in the Bachelor of Laws degree programme.

Clause 49 deals with the form of and the standards for examination in the law degree programme of a university. The clause mandates a person in charge of the law degree programme of a university to set a uniform standard and format for the conduct of examinations. Under the clause, an examination conducted by the law degree programme of a university may be in the form of long or short essay questions, short form answers, objective testing, case specific questions or a hypothetical case analysis.

The standards for grading in the law degree programme of a university are dealt with in clause 50. The clause requires a person in charge of a law degree programme of a university to adopt, in writing, uniform grading standards that ensure accuracy, validity, reliability and consistency in the evaluation of student performance in examinations.

Clause 51 requires a person in charge of the law degree programme of a university to establish a Grades Review Committee to review the grade of a student who has made a written request for a review of an examination score on the grounds of lack of fairness, a departure from established grading policy or a clear error.

Clause 52 specifies the teaching method to be adopted by a law degree programme of a university. This includes teaching methods that impart, in addition to the theoretical aspects of the law, practical skills, including research skills, analyses of real cases, drafting of legal documents, making oral arguments and client relations.

The duration for a Bachelor of Laws degree programme, under clause 53, is three academic years.

Scholastic standards are provided for in Clauses 54 to 59. Clause 54 mandates a person in charge of a law degree programme of a university to set written scholastic standards to assess the capability of students and dismiss students who are not fit to continue the Bachelor of Laws degree programme based on the set standard.

Clause 55 provides for the retention, academic disqualification and graduation policies of a law degree programme of a university. The clause requires a person in charge of a law degree programme of a university to adopt written policies that are consistent with the general policies of the university in which the law degree programme operates on the requirements for graduation, the grounds upon which students are disqualified from pursuing the Bachelor of Laws degree programme and the grounds upon which students are retained to pursue the Bachelor of Laws degree programme.

Clause 56 deals with the evaluation of students for advancement and retention purposes. Under the clause, a person in charge of the law degree programme of a university is mandated to determine the number of courses a law student is required to pass each year and assess each first-year law student on the basis of performance in the courses pursued in the first year for purposes of retention or disqualification.

Where a student fails the relevant number of courses and the law degree programme is satisfied that the student cannot complete the Bachelor of Laws programme successfully, the law degree programme is required to disqualify the student from continuing the Bachelor of Laws degree programme, clause 57.

Clause 57 further requires a person in charge of the law degree programme of a university to ensure the prompt marking and early release of examination results and scripts by law lecturers to ensure that the evaluation of student performance is done fairly and adequately.

Clause 58 requires a person in charge of the law degree programme of a university to formulate policies on the procedure for a student who has failed a course to re-take the failed course. Where a student is unable to pass a course after re-taking that course for the maximum number of times required, the law degree programme of the university is mandated to dismiss the student.

The academic freedom of members of the law degree programme of a university is provided for in clause 59. The clause requires a person in charge of the law degree programme of a university to formulate a comprehensive policy on academic freedom that promotes the freedom of members of the law degree programme to state a position on a particular legal concept, opinion or doctrine without fear of any reprisal and further promotes scholarship, research, debate, public service and the freedom of association.

Clauses 60 and 61 make provision for Law Practice Training upon completion of the Bachelor of Laws Degree programme. Clause 60 requires a person who holds a Bachelor of Laws degree to undergo Law Practice Training in order to qualify to sit the National Bar Examination. Under the clause, Law Practice Training may involve the provision of legal services on an ad hoc basis to needy clients, working as a law clerk for an appellate judge or an observer in an administrative agency or active engagement in a law firm.

The duration for Law Practice Training, under clause 61, is one academic year beginning from September to June of the following year.

Provision is made for the National Bar Examination Committee under clauses 62 to 65. Clause 62 provides for the establishment of the National Bar Examination Committee, which comprises two members of the Council and five persons who are law lecturers, at least two of whom have taught law for a period of not less than ten years and the remaining law lecturers who have taught law for a period of not less than seven years.

Under clause 63, the National Bar Examination Committee is required to conduct examinations and assessments of students who have undertaken the Law Practice Training Course and who are eligible to sit the National Bar Examination for purposes of enrolment on the Roll of Lawyers, assign responsibility for invigilating and marking the National Bar Examination and provide maximum security for examination scripts and answer scripts. Among other things, the National Bar Examination Committee is also responsible for handling appeals from students against examination results and other matters relating to the assessment of students, conducting the moderation or equivalent reviews of results for the National Bar Examination, test and assessment marks and disciplining students for examination misconduct.

Standard provisions in respect of the tenure of office of members of the National Bar Examination Committee and meetings of the National Bar Examination Committee are dealt with in clauses 64 and 65, respectively.

The conduct of the National Bar Examination is provided for in clauses 66 to 70. Clause 66 mandates the National Bar Examination Committee to determine the manner and the period within which the National Bar Examination is to be conducted.

A person qualifies to sit for the National Bar Examination, under clause 67, if that person holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from a university which is accredited by the Council and has completed the Law Practice Training Course.

Clause 68 outlines the areas of law to be covered in the National Bar Examination to include civil procedure, including a component of civil procedure that deals with the law of evidence in respect of proof in civil litigation and criminal procedure, including a component of criminal procedure that covers the law of evidence in respect of criminal trials. Other areas of law to be covered in the National Bar Examination are advocacy, ethics and the practice of law, including topics on law practice management, basic book-keeping and professional responsibility and conveyancing and drafting.

Under clause 69, the National Bar Examination may take the form of long or short essay questions, short form answers, objective testing, case specific questions and a hypothetical case analysis. The clause further requires the National Bar Examination Committee to ensure the application of standards that ensure that the ability of students to apply knowledge to solve practical problems is adequately assessed.

Clause 70 provides for the re-sit of the National Bar Examination. Under the clause, a person who fails the National Bar Examination the first time is entitled, subject to the payment of the prescribed fee, to re-sit the National Bar Examination. The rules to govern the re-sit of the National Bar Examination are to be prescribed by the National Bar Examination Committee.

Clauses 71 and 72 deal with enrolment on the Roll of Lawyers. Under clause 71, a person qualifies to be enrolled on the Roll of Lawyers if the person obtains a Bachelor of Laws degree from a university accredited by the Council, completes the Law Practice Training Course and passes the National Bar Examination organised by National Bar Examination Committee. The clause further empowers the Council to enroll a person who qualifies to practise law in a country with a system of law sufficiently analogous to that of Ghana which has a reciprocal arrangement with Ghana and who passes the Post-Call Law Course conducted by the Ghana School of Law.

Clause 72 mandates the Council to issue a qualifying certificate to a person who qualifies under clause 71 to be enrolled on the Roll of Lawyers and to enter the name of the person on the Roll of Lawyers.

Clause 73 provides for the conduct of the Post-Call Law Course and remedial courses for re-sitting the National Bar Examination. The clause mandates the Ghana School of Law to administer the Post-Call Law Course to persons who are qualified and licensed to practise law in a country with a system of law sufficiently analogous to that of Ghana or a country which has a reciprocal arrangement with Ghana and who seek to be enrolled on the Roll of Lawyers. The clause also mandates the Ghana School of Law to administer the Post-Call Law Course to citizens of Ghana who have satisfied the educational tests required for admission to practise in a country with a system of law sufficiently analogous to that of Ghana and may or may not have been admitted to practise in that country and who seek to be enrolled on the Roll of Lawyers.

Clauses 74 to 81 make provision for the Legal Education Reform Appeals Tribunal.

The establishment of the Legal Education Reform Appeals Tribunal is provided for in clause 74. The Tribunal is to be constituted on an ad-hoc basis to consider appeals against a decision of the Council on a matter relating to an accreditation licence issued under the Bill.

The Tribunal under clause 75 is to consist of a chairperson, who is a person with not less than fifteen years’ experience in matters relating to legal education and four other persons, each of whom has not less than five years’ experience in matters relating to legal education. The Judicial Council is to appoint the members of the Tribunal.

The administration of the Tribunal is provided for in clause 76. The Minister is to appoint a Registrar and other staff necessary for the efficient and effective operation of the Tribunal.

Under clause 77, the expenses of the Tribunal are to be a charge on the funds of the Council. In view of this, the chairperson of the Tribunal is required to submit an annual budget for approval by the Board. The Board is required to release funds for the operations of the Tribunal not later than the first quarter of the financial year.

Clause 78 provides for the rules of procedure of the Tribunal. The Board is required to draft rules of procedure for the Tribunal. The rules of procedure are to be approved by a panel of the Tribunal convened for that purpose.

A person aggrieved by a decision of the Council has the right to, within twenty-one days of the date of the decision, appeal to the Tribunal, clause 79. Matters to be specified in the notice of appeal are the decision being appealed against, the legal provisions under which the decision was made and the grounds for appeal. The Tribunal is required under the clause to convene to hear the appeal within thirty days of receipt of the notice of appeal.

The Tribunal may, after hearing an appeal, overturn the decision being appealed, partially allow the appeal or dismiss the appeal and uphold the decision of the Council, clause 80. The clause provides for the decision of the Tribunal to have the same effect as a judgment of the High Court.

Appeals against a decision of the Tribunal are dealt with in clause 81. A party who is dissatisfied with a decision of the Tribunal on a matter is entitled to appeal to the High Court. An appeal under the clause is to be on a point of law only and filed within thirty days of the decision of the Tribunal.

Miscellaneous matters are dealt with in clauses 82 to 87.

Clause 82 empowers the Council to require the provision of returns or information that relates to legal education and training that the Council requires to enable the Council to perform a function under the Bill.

Clause 83 empowers the Minister, on the advice of the Council to, by legislative instrument, make Regulations for the effective and efficient implementation of the Bill.

The interpretation of words and phrases used in the Bill is dealt with in clause 84. Clause 85 revokes relevant provisions of the Legal Profession (Professional and Post-Call Law Course) Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2355).

Clause 86 provides for the consequential amendment of relevant provisions of the Legal Profession Act, 1960 (Act 32). The clause also makes a consequential amendment to the Legal Profession (Professional and Post-Call Law Course) Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2355).

Clause 87 deals with savings.

Finally, transitional matters are dealt with in Clause 88.

DR. DOMINIC AKURITIN GA AYINE, MP
Attorney-General and Minister responsible for Justice

Date: 24th October, 2025.

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

Section

Council for Legal Education and Training

1. Establishment of the Council for Legal Education and Training

2. Object of the Council

3. Functions of the Council

Governance of the Council

4. Governing body of the Council

5. Functions of the Board

6. Tenure of office of members of the Board

7. Meetings of the Board

8. Disclosure of interest

9. Establishment of committees

10. Allowances

Administrative Provisions

11. Appointment of Registrar

12. Functions of the Registrar

13. Appointment of other staff of the Council

14. Internal Audit Unit

Financial Provisions

15. Funds of the Council

16. Bank account of the Council

17. Accounts and audit

18. Annual report and other reports

Accreditation of Universities to Offer or Provide Law Practice Training Course

19. Standards for accreditation of universities

20. Requirement to obtain accreditation

21. Application for accreditation

22. Consideration of application

23. Issue of provisional accreditation licence

24. Requirement to obtain full accreditation licence

25. Application for full accreditation licence

26. Consideration of application for full accreditation licence

27. Issue of full accreditation licence

28. Display of accreditation licence

29. Publication of accreditation licence

30. Suspension of accreditation licence

31. Restoration of suspended accreditation licence

32. Revocation of accreditation licence

33. Inspection of accredited universities

34. Appeal

Administration of Law Degree Programmes

35. Administration of law degree programme

36. Dean of law degree programme

37. Functions of the Dean

38. Administrator of law degree programme

39. Functions of administrator

40. Accounts officer of law degree programme

41. Functions of accounts officer

42. Records of law degree programme

Admission to Bachelor of Laws Degree Programme

43. Admission examination and entrance standards

44. Non-discriminatory admission measures

45. Admission measures for persons with disability

Academic Curriculum and Methodology for Legal Education

46. Curriculum for Bachelor of Laws degree programme

47. Content of curriculum

48. Minimum requirement for Bachelor of Laws degree

49. Form of and standards for examination

50. Grading standards

51. Review of grades

52. Teaching method

53. Duration of Bachelor of Laws degree programme

Scholastic Standards

54. Scholastic standards for legal education

55. Retention, academic disqualification and graduation policies

56. Evaluation of students for advancement and retention purposes

57. Disqualification for failure of first year examination

58. Repetition of courses

59. Academic freedom

Law Practice Training

60. Law Practice Training

61. Duration of Law Practice Training

National Bar Examination Committee

62. Establishment of the National Bar Examination Committee

63. Functions of the National Bar Examination Committee

64. Tenure of office of members of the National Bar Examination Committee

65. Meetings of the National Bar Examination Committee

Conduct of National Bar Examination

66. Mode of conduct of National Bar Examination

67. Qualification to sit for National Bar Examination

68. Areas of law to be covered in National Bar Examination

69. Form of and standards for National Bar Examination

70. Re-sit of National Bar Examination

Enrolment on Roll of Lawyers

71. Qualification for enrolment

72. Issue of qualifying certificate

Post-Call Law Course and Remedial Courses for National Bar Examination

73. Conduct of Post-Call Law Course and Remedial Courses

Legal Education Reform Appeals Tribunal

74. Establishment of the Legal Education Reform Appeals Tribunal

75. Composition of the Tribunal

76. Administration of the Tribunal

77. Expenses of the Tribunal

78. Rules of procedure of the Tribunal

79. Right of appeal

80. Decisions of the Tribunal

81. Appeal against decision of the Tribunal

Miscellaneous Provisions

82. Request for information

83. Regulations

84. Interpretation

85. Revocation

86. Consequential amendments

87. Savings

88. Transitional provision

BILL
ENTITLED

LEGAL EDUCATION REFORM ACT, 2025
AN ACT to establish the Council for Legal Education and Training to regulate legal education in the country, provide the curriculum and standards for legal education and provide for related matters.

Passed by Parliament and assented to by the President:

Council for Legal Education and Training

Establishment of the Council for Legal Education and Training

1. (1) There is established by this Act, the Council for Legal Education and Training as a body corporate.

(2) The Council may, for the performance of the functions of the Council, acquire and hold property, dispose of property and enter into a contract or any other related transaction.

(3) Where there is hindrance to the acquisition of land, the land may be acquired for the Council under the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036) and the cost shall be borne by the Council.

Object of the Council
2. The object of the Council is to regulate legal education in the country.

Functions of the Council
3. To achieve the object of the Council under section 2, the Council shall

(a) accredit universities to provide professional legal education and training in the country;

(b) in collaboration with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, set the standards for the accreditation of universities;

(d) undertake the professional and practical training of persons who seek to become members of the legal profession;

(e) make provision for courses of study and the practical instruction of law students in accredited universities;

(f) advise the Government on matters relating to legal education and recommend national standards and norms of legal education to be adopted by accredited universities;

(g) evaluate courses of study provided by accredited universities to accord with appropriate recognition of legal qualifications obtained in institutions in other common law jurisdictions with analogous legal systems as Ghana, for purposes of admission to the Bar;

(h) control, supervise and administer the assets of the Council to achieve the object of the Council;

(i) invest the funds of the Council that are not required for immediate use as the Council considers appropriate;

(j) collaborate with other bodies or organisations within or outside the country that the Council considers necessary to achieve the object of the Council; and

(k) perform any other function that is incidental to the achievement of the object of the Council.

Governance of the Council

Governing body of the Council

4. (1) The governing body of the Council is a Board consisting of

(a) the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, as chairperson;

(b) one person nominated by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice not below the rank of a Chief State Attorney;

(d) a representative of the Ministry responsible for Education not below the rank of a Director nominated by the Minister responsible for Education;

(e) a representative of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission nominated by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission;

(f) a person who teaches law in an accredited public university not below the rank of a Senior Lecturer, nominated by the association of public universities;

(g) a person who teaches law in an accredited private university, not below the rank of a Senior Lecturer, nominated by the association of private universities;

(h) a retired Justice of the Superior Courts nominated by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice; and

(i) the Registrar as the Secretary.

(2) The President shall, in accordance with article 70 of the Constitution, appoint the members of the Board.

Functions of the Board
5. The Board shall

(a) exercise general oversight responsibility for the strategic direction of the Council;

(b) ensure the achievement of the object of the Council; and

Tenure of office of members of the Board
6. (1) A member of the Board shall hold office for a period of four years and is eligible for re-appointment for another term only.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to the Registrar and a person who is a member of the Board by virtue of office.

(3) A member of the Board may at any time resign from office in writing addressed to the President through the Minister.

(4) A member of the Board, other than the Registrar, who is absent from three consecutive meetings of the Board without sufficient cause ceases to be a member of the Board.

(5) The President may, by letter addressed to a member, revoke the appointment of that member.

(6) Where a member of the Board is, for a sufficient reason, unable to act as a member, the Minister shall determine whether the inability of the member to act would result in the declaration of a vacancy.

(7) Where there is a vacancy

(a) under subsection (3), (4), (5) or subsection (2) of section 8,

(b) as a result of a declaration under subsection (6), or

the President shall appoint another person to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term in accordance with this Act.

Meetings of the Board

7. (1) The Board shall meet at least once every two months for the conduct of business at a time and place determined by the chairperson.

(2) The chairperson shall, at the request in writing of not less than five members of the Board, convene an extraordinary meeting of the Board at a time and place determined by the chairperson.

(3) Despite subsections (1) and (2), the chairperson may, by written notice to the members of the Board not less than two weeks before the date of the meeting, convene a meeting at a time and place that the chairperson considers necessary.

(4) The quorum at a meeting of the Board is six members of the Board.

(5) The chairperson shall preside at meetings of the Board and in the absence of the chairperson, a member of the Board elected by the members present from among their number shall preside.

(6) Matters before the Board shall be decided by a simple majority of the members present and voting, and in the event of an equality of votes, the person presiding shall have a casting vote.

(7) The Board may co-opt a person to attend a meeting of the Board but that person shall not vote on a matter for decision at the meeting.

(8) The proceedings of the Board shall not be invalidated by reason of a vacancy among the members or a defect in the appointment or the qualification of a member.

(9) Subject to this section, the Board may determine the procedure for the meetings of the Board.

Disclosure of interest
8. (1) A member of the Board who has an interest in a matter for consideration

(a) shall disclose in writing the nature of that interest and the disclosure shall form part of the record of the consideration of the matter; and

(b) is disqualified from being present at or participating in the deliberations of the Board in respect of that matter.

(2) A member ceases to be a member of the Board if that member has an interest in a matter before the Board and

(a) fails to disclose that interest; or

(b) is present at or participates in the deliberations of the Board in respect of that matter.

(3) Without limiting any further cause of action that may be instituted against the member, the Board shall recover any benefit derived by a member who contravenes subsection (1), in addition to the revocation of the appointment of the member.

Establishment of committees
9. (1) The Board may establish committees consisting of members of the Board or non-members or both to perform a function of the Board.

(2) A committee composed of members and non-members of the Board shall be chaired by a member of the Board.

(3) Section 8 applies to a member of a committee of the Board.

Allowances
10. Members of the Board and members of a committee of the Board shall be paid allowances approved by the Minister in consultation with the Minister responsible for Finance.

Administrative Provisions

Appointment of Registrar

11. (1) The President shall, in accordance with article 195 of the Constitution, appoint a Registrar for the Council.

(2) The Registrar shall hold office on the terms and conditions specified in the letter of appointment.

Functions of the Registrar

12. (1) The Registrar

(a) is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the affairs of the Council;

(b) is answerable to the Board in the performance of functions;

(d) shall prepare and keep accurate records of the deliberations and decisions of the Council; and

(e) shall perform any other function assigned by the Board. (2) The Registrar may delegate a function to an officer of the

Council but is not relieved of the ultimate responsibility for the performance of the delegated function.

Appointment of other staff of the Council

13. (1) The President shall, in accordance with article 195 of the Constitution, appoint other staff of the Council that are necessary for the efficient and effective performance of the functions of the Council.

(2) Other public officers may be transferred or seconded to the Council or may otherwise give assistance to the Council.

(3) The Council may, for the effective and efficient performance of the functions of the Council, engage the services of advisors and consultants on the recommendation of the Board.

Internal Audit Unit
14. (1) The Council shall have an Internal Audit Unit in accordance with section 83 of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921).

(2) The Internal Audit Unit shall be headed by an Internal Auditor who shall be appointed in accordance with the Internal Audit Agency Act, 2003 (Act 658).

(3) The Internal Auditor is responsible for the internal audit of the Council.

(4) The Internal Auditor shall, subject to subsections (3) and (4) of section 16 of the Internal Audit Agency Act, 2003 (Act 658), at intervals of three months

(a) prepare and submit to the Board a report on the internal audit carried out during the period of three months immediately preceding the preparation of the report; and

(b) make recommendations in each report with respect to matters necessary for the conduct of the affairs of the Council.

(5) The Internal Auditor shall, in accordance with subsection (4) of section 16 of the Internal Audit Agency Act, 2003 (Act 658), submit a copy of each report prepared under this section to the Registrar and the chairperson of the Board.

Financial Provisions

Funds of the Council
15. The funds of the Council include

(a) moneys approved by Parliament;

(b) internally generated funds;

(d) donations, gifts and grants.

Bank account of the Council
16. Moneys for the Council shall be paid into a bank account opened for the purpose with the approval of the Controller and Accountant-General.

Accounts and audit
17. (1) The Council shall keep books, records, returns of account and other documents relevant to the accounts in the form approved by the Auditor-General.

(2) The Board shall submit the accounts of the Council to the Auditor-General for audit at the end of the financial year.

(3) The Auditor-General shall, within six months after the end of the immediately preceding financial year, audit the accounts of the Council and forward a copy of the report to the Minister and the Board.

(4) The financial year of the Council shall be the same as the financial year of the Government.

Annual report and other reports

18. (1) The Board shall, within thirty days after the receipt of the audit report, submit an annual report to the Minister, covering the activities and operations of the Council for the year to which the report relates.

(2) The annual report shall include the report of the Auditor-General.

(3) The Minister shall, within thirty days after the receipt of the annual report, submit the report to Parliament with a statement that the Minister considers necessary.

(4) The Board shall submit to the Minister any other report that the Minister may require in writing.

Accreditation of Universities to Offer or Provide Law Practice Training Course

Standards for accreditation of universities
19. (1) The Council shall, in collaboration with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, set standards for the accreditation of universities to offer or provide the Law Practice Training Course.

(2) The Council shall, in setting standards under subsection (1), have regard to the availability of

(a) library resources that serve teaching, research and other educational objectives of the university, including access to online library resources and hard copy legal materials;

(b) a law library that has the following in electronic or hard copy:

(i) Ghana Law Reports;

(ii) Supreme Court of Ghana Law Reports;

(iii) All England Law Reports;

(iv) Weekly Law Reports;

(v) Queen’s Bench Reports;

(vi) King’s Bench Reports;

(vii) Chancery Law Reports;

(viii) books relevant to the law courses offered in the university;

(ix) legislation enacted in the country, including Acts of Parliament, legislative instruments and constitutional instruments;

(x) articles and journals on law; and

(xi) law dictionaries;

(c) an online library source, including LexisNexis, HeinOnline, Westlaw and Law Finder, which is accessible to students at convenient times;

(d) requisite physical infrastructure necessary for running the programmes and operations of the university, including a permanent office and classrooms, whether shared with other departments or not, provided that

(i) the arrangements do not disrupt the scheduling of lectures; and

(ii) the facilities of the university are within a reasonable proximity and accessible to students for a reasonable period of time outside lecture periods;

(e) adequate space for administrative and teaching staff, including private offices for senior administrators and full-time teaching staff and a spacious office lounge for part-time teaching staff;

(f) a balanced student-lecturer ratio and proportionate class sizes;

(g) law lecturers with requisite qualification as determined by the Council; and

(h) the requisite technology and the human resources needed to resolve technology-related issues that may arise in the delivery of the educational programme, including a well-equipped computer centre with access to the internet.

Requirement to obtain accreditation
20. (1) A person in charge of the law degree programme of a university shall not offer or provide the Law Practice Training Course unless the university has obtained accreditation from the Council.

(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than ten thousand penalty units and not more than twenty thousand penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not less than fifteen years and not more than twenty years or to both.

Application for accreditation

21. (1) A person in charge of the law degree programme of a university who seeks accreditation for the university to offer or provide the Law Practice Training Course shall submit an application in the prescribed form to the Council.

(2) An application under subsection (1) shall be accompanied with

(a) information on

(i) the administrative structure of the university; and

(ii) the curriculum and teaching methodology of the university;

(b) evidence of compliance with the standards set by the Council; and

Consideration of application

22. (1) The Council shall, on receipt of an application for accreditation, constitute a committee to conduct an evaluation of the university that seeks to offer or provide the Law Practice Training Course.

(2) The committee constituted under subsection (1) shall

(a) review the documents submitted by the applicant and any other document that relates to the university;

(b) conduct an on-site evaluation of the premises of the law degree programme of the university within a period specified by the Council; and

(3) The written report on the evaluation shall contain the relevant facts and observations to enable the Council determine compliance with the standards set by the Council.

(4) The committee shall not make

(a) a determination on the compliance of a university with the standards set by the Council; or

(b) recommendations on the grant or refusal of an accreditation licence.

Issue of provisional accreditation licence

23. (1) The Council shall review the report of the committee submitted under paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of section 22 to determine compliance with the standards set by the Council.

(2) The Council shall issue a provisional accreditation licence in the prescribed form to a university if

(a) the Council is satisfied that

(i) the university is in substantial compliance with the standards of accreditation set by the Council; and

(ii) the university is suitable and competent to offer the Law Practice Training Course; and

(b) the university

(i) presents a plan for bringing the university into full compliance with each of the standards within two years after the issue of a provisional accreditation licence; and

(ii) indicates the specific actions that the university intends to take to bring the university into full compliance with the standards and the manner in which the plans will be executed.

(3) The Council shall specify in the provisional accreditation licence

(a) the legal education programmes which the university may offer; and

(b) other terms and conditions that the Council considers necessary.

Requirement to obtain full accreditation licence

24. A university that is issued with a provisional accreditation licence shall, within two years after the issue of the provisional accreditation licence, apply for a full accreditation licence from the Council.

Application for full accreditation licence

25. (1) An application for a full accreditation licence shall be made to the Council

(a) not earlier than a year and half; and

(b) not later than two years

after the issue of a provisional accreditation licence.

(2) An application under subsection (1) shall be accompanied with

(a) a copy of the provisional accreditation licence of the university;

(b) information on

(i) the administrative structure of the university; and

(ii) the curriculum and teaching methodology of the university;

(d) the prescribed fee.

Consideration of application for full accreditation licence

26. (1) The Council shall, on receipt of an application for a full accreditation licence constitute a committee to conduct an evaluation of the university that seeks to offer the Law Practice Training Course.

(2) The committee constituted under subsection (1) shall

(a) review the documents submitted by the applicant and any other document that relates to the university;

(b) conduct an on-site evaluation of the premises of the university within a period specified by the Council; and

Issue of full accreditation licence

27. Where the Council is satisfied that the applicant is in full compliance with the standards set by the Council, the Council shall issue a full accreditation licence in the prescribed form to the university.

Display of accreditation licence
28. A university that is issued with an accreditation licence shall

(a) display the licence conspicuously in the registered office of the university, preferably in the facility where the university runs the law degree programme of the university; and

(b) indicate in the official letters and documents of the law degree programme of the university that the university has been issued with a provisional accreditation licence or a full accreditation licence, as the case may be.

Publication of accreditation licence
29. The Council shall, within fourteen days after issuing an accreditation licence, publish the name of the licensee in

(a) the Gazette; and

(b) at least one daily newspaper of nationwide circulation.

Suspension of accreditation licence

30. (1) The Council may suspend an accreditation licence issued under this Act where the licensee

(a) uses a falsified document or submits false information in the application for the accreditation licence;

(b) fails to comply with the terms and conditions of the accreditation licence; or

(2) The Council shall not suspend an accreditation licence unless the Council has

(a) given the licensee fifteen days’ notice in writing of the intention to suspend the licence;

(b) specified in the notice the reasons for the intended suspension; and

(i) make a written representation within ten days of receipt of the notice; or

(ii) remedy the breach if the breach is capable of remedy.

Restoration of suspended accreditation licence

31. (1) The Council may restore an accreditation licence that was suspended if the licensee remedies the breach in the manner specified by the Council.

(2) The Council shall restore an accreditation licensee within thirty days after the licensee remedies the breach that resulted in the suspension.

Revocation of accreditation licence

32. (1) The Council may revoke an accreditation licence if the university

(a) fails to remedy a breach that results in a suspension of the accreditation licence;

(b) fails to comply with the standards set by the Council;

(i) full compliance with each of the standards set by the Council; and

(ii) a full accreditation licence;

(d) fails to obtain a full accreditation licence within four years after the grant of a provisional accreditation licence; or

(e) is unable to demonstrate satisfactorily that the university is able to execute the plans necessary for achieving full compliance with the standards set by the Council.

(2) The Council shall not revoke an accreditation licence unless the Council has

(a) given the licensee fifteen days’ notice in writing of the intention to revoke the licence;

(b) specified in the notice the reasons for the intended revocation; and

(3) Despite paragraph (d) of subsection (1), the Council may, on reasonable grounds, extend the period for obtaining a full accreditation licence for a period of not more than one year.

Inspection of accredited universities

33. (1) The Council shall carry out inspections of accredited universities

(a) at least twice during each academic year; or

(b) once each semester.

(2) For purposes of subsection (1), the Council shall designate an officer of the Council as an inspector to inspect an accredited university to ensure compliance with the standards determined by the Commission.

(3) An inspector shall prepare a written report on the facts and observations made by the inspector to enable the Council determine compliance with the requisite standard determined by the Council.

Appeal

34. A university that is aggrieved with a decision of the Council in respect of

(a) the grant or refusal of an accreditation licence;

(b) the terms and conditions of an accreditation licence; or

(c) the suspension or revocation of an accreditation licence may appeal to the Legal Education Reform Appeals Tribunal established under section 74.

Administration of Law Degree Programmes

Administration of law degree programme

35. A law degree programme of a university shall be administered by the following persons:

(a) a Dean;

(b) an administrator;

(d) administrative staff that are necessary for the effective and efficient performance of the administrative functions of the law degree programme of the university.

Dean of law degree programme

36. (1) A Dean of the law degree programme of a university shall be the chief academic and administrative officer of the law degree programme.

(2) A person qualifies for appointment as the Dean of the law degree programme of a university if that person

(a) is of the rank of an Associate Professor of Law or above;

(b) has outstanding legal academic credentials, including legal publications;

(d) demonstrates sound knowledge of and appreciation for the legal profession and for legal scholarship;

(e) is in good standing as a member of the Ghana Bar Association;

f) displays strong communication and interpersonal skills;

(g) demonstrates an ability and commitment to integrate and advance the core values, mission and vision of the university into the operation and planning of the law degree programme;

(h) demonstrates an ability to raise funds to support the activities of the law degree programme;

(i) has wide expertise in legal education and demonstrates an appreciable understanding of pedagogy and commitment to experiential education; and

(j) demonstrates a concern for, and interest in, student affairs.

Functions of the Dean
37. The Dean of the law degree programme of a university shall

(a) act as the chief intermediary between the law degree programme and the university;

(b) manage the finances and budgets of the law degree programme;

(c) implement the educational and professional objectives of the law degree programme in a manner not inconsistent with the broader objectives of the mission, vision and strategic plan of the university;

(d) co-operate with and supervise the activities of members, staff and students of the law degree programme to promote quality teaching and scholarly research;

(e) ensure the maintenance of the library and other resources of the law degree programme;

(f) in collaboration with other staff of the law degree programme, plan, implement and administer admission policies and procedures;

(g) represent the law degree programme locally, regionally, and internationally in all matters involving the law degree programme;

(h) act as chairperson of the meetings of the law degree programme;

(i) act as an ex officio member of every committee formed in the law degree programme;

(j) ensure compliance of the law degree programme with the requirements for accreditation; and

(k) formulate the curriculum and methods of instruction for the law degree programme and the standards for retention, advancement, and graduation of students, in a manner that is consistent with the standards set under this Act.

Administrator of law degree programme

38. A person qualifies to be appointed as an administrator of the law degree programme of a university if the person demonstrates

(a) record-keeping and record-retrieval skills;

(b) administrative skills;

(d) monitoring, supervisory and appraising skills;

(e) confidence and accessibility to the members of staff and students of the law degree programme; and

(f) knowledge of financial management.

Functions of administrator
39. The administrator of the law degree programme of a university shall

(a) keep and maintain records of the law degree programme;

(b) take charge of the administration of examinations and other assessments;

(d) serve as the head of human resource of the law degree programme;

(e) prepare examination timetables of the law degree programme;

f) liaise with the accounts officer and the Dean for drawing the budget of the law degree programme and administer expenditure from the available funds of the law degree programme; and

(g) perform any other function assigned by the Dean.

Accounts officer of law degree programme

40. A person qualifies to be appointed as an accounts officer of the law degree programme of a university if that person is an accountant and has experience in accounting for a period of not less than ten years.

Functions of accounts officer
41. The accounts officer of the law degree programme of a university shall

(a) manage the accounts of the law degree programme and make recommendations for budgetary allocations;

(b) spearhead the drawing of the budget of the law degree programme and make disbursements from the accounts of the law degree programme as may be directed by the Dean;

(c) evaluate the internal financial management procedures and make recommendations on how to improve the financial status of the law degree programme;

(d) scrutinise financial reports and the budgetary performance of the law degree programme and offer guidance on necessary adjustments for staying within the budget in a given year; and

(e) prepare the financial reports of the law degree programme for auditing purposes.

Records of law degree programme

42. (1) A person in charge of the law degree programme of a university shall maintain accurate and comprehensive records of the following in electronic or physical form:

(a) records of application and ancillary records;

(b) admission records;

(d) transcripts;

(e) meetings of the Board and committees of the law degree programme;

(f) library records;

(g) records of attendance at lectures and tutorials;

(h) locations for clinical training;

(i) disqualified or dismissed students;

(j) students who have repeated courses;

(k) courses taken by each student;

(l) degrees conferred by the university; and

(m) law lecturers and other staff members of the law degree programme.

(2) The Council may, at any time, request for any of the records of a law degree programme to perform the functions of the Council.

Admission to Bachelor of Laws Degree Programme

Admission examination and entrance standards
43. (1) A person in charge of the law degree programme of a university shall,

(a) subject to the approval of the Council, set uniform minimum standards of admission to assess the academic potential of a prospective law student to ensure that the student has the capacity to complete the Bachelor of Laws degree programme and practise law effectively; and

(b) determine the minimum standards of admission through a fair and transparent entrance examination or any other standard for the admission of a student to the Bachelor of Laws degree programme.

(2) Despite subsection (1), a person qualifies to undertake a Bachelor of Laws degree programme if

(a) that person has attained excellent academic performance in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination or an equivalent examination; or

(b) in the case of a post-first-degree applicant, that person has attained a grade point average not below a Second Class (Lower Division) in any discipline from a university accredited by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission.

Non-discriminatory admission measures

44. An accredited university shall

(a) not discriminate against an applicant for admission to a Bachelor of Laws degree programme on the grounds of race, gender, place of origin, colour, religion, social or economic status, language or any form of disability; and

(b) formulate sound policies and procedures on admission which provide equal opportunity and prohibit discrimination.

Admission measures for persons with disability

45. (1) An accredited university may adopt special admission measures for the purpose of increasing the representation of persons with disability in the legal community.

(2) In furtherance of subsection (1), an accredited university shall

(a) adopt special measures to enable students with disability pursue legal education;

(b) maintain adequate infrastructure which are accessible to persons with disability; and

Academic Curriculum and Methodology for Legal Education

Curriculum for Bachelor of Laws degree programme

46. (1) The Council shall, in consultation with accredited universities, develop a comprehensive curriculum for a Bachelor of Laws degree programme.

(2) The curriculum developed under subsection (1) shall

(a) accord with contemporary demands for legal services; and

(b) provide for the recruitment of competent and committed teaching staff for the university.

Content of curriculum

47. (1) The curriculum for a Bachelor of Laws degree programme shall provide

(a) instructions that are necessary for the impartation of a particular subject matter or skill;

(b) practical and theoretical training in the law;

(d) training in information technology and the law, having regard to the rapid growth of technology in the legal profession globally;

(e) instructions on the areas of law that are tested in the National Bar Examination;

f) pre-determined course content for the courses offered, including relevant cases, articles, books and topics in the course;

(g) instructions on the ethics and values of the legal profession, including the ethical and professional dilemmas that a student might face after being called to the Bar;

(h) practice-based skills and competency training, including

(i) oral presentation and advocacy training;

(ii) training in interviewing and counseling;

(iii) legal research and at least two writing experiences, one in the first year and at least another after the first year;

(iv) applied legal writing, including drafting contracts, pleadings and other legal instruments;

(v) pre-trial preparation and fact investigation, including discovery, motion practice, assessing evidence and utilising experts;

(vi) trial practice skills;

(vii) transactional skills;

(viii) formation of corporations;

(ix) client service, professional civility and professional responsibility; and

(x) instruction in alternative dispute resolution; and

(i) instruction in legal research to instill a research culture in students.

(2) The Council shall review the curriculum on a yearly basis to take account of new developments in the law.

Minimum requirement for Bachelor of Laws degree

48. (1) The minimum requirement for the award of a Bachelor of Laws degree is the satisfactory completion of the number of courses of study that amount to a number of credit hours that the Council determines, taking into consideration the general policy of the university in which the law degree programme operates regarding the number of credit hours required for completion.

(2) A person in charge of the law degree programme of a university shall formulate written policies to regulate regular and punctual attendance to the academic engagements in the Bachelor of Laws degree programme.

(3) The written policies shall

(a) indicate the punishment for the failure to attend academic engagements regularly and punctually; and

(b) be uniform across each law degree programme.

Form of and standards for examination

49. (1) A person in charge of the law degree programme of a university shall set a uniform standard and format for the conduct of examinations.

(2) An examination conducted by the law degree programme of a university

(a) may be in the form of

(i) long or short essay questions;

(ii) short form answers;

(iii) objective testing;

(iv) case specific questions; or

(v) a hypothetical case analysis;

(b) shall involve a combination of at least two of the forms indicated in subparagraphs (i) to (v) of paragraph (a);

(d) shall test the ability of students to employ knowledge of fundamental principles of law to solving practical legal issues.

Grading standards

50. (1) A person in charge of the law degree programme of a university shall adopt, in writing, uniform grading standards that ensure accuracy, validity, reliability and consistency in the evaluation of student performance in examinations.

(2) Where more than one law lecturer teaches a group of students, there shall be a reasonable and justifiable correlation among the grades awarded by the law lecturers to ensure fairness to students.

(3) A person in charge of the law degree programme of a university shall ensure consistency in the application of the written grading standards by the law lecturers of the law degree programme.

Review of grades

51. (1) A person in charge of the law degree programme of a university shall establish a Grades Review Committee comprising

(a) four members of the teaching staff of the law degree programme; and

(b) a member of the administrative staff of the law degree programme.

(2) The Grades Review Committee shall review the grade of a student who has made a written request for a review of an examination score on the grounds of

(a) lack of fairness;

(b) a departure from established grading policy; or

(3) A person in charge of the law degree programme of a university shall establish written procedures for processing a request for the review of a grade or examination score by the Grades Review Committee.

Teaching method

52. A person in charge of the law degree programme of a university shall adopt

(a) teaching methods that impart, in addition to the theoretical aspects of the law, practical skills, including

(i) research skills;

(ii) analyses of real cases;

(iii) drafting of legal documents;

(iv) making oral arguments; and

(v) client relations; and

(b) books on exercises, hypotheticals, case studies, or simulations that enable practical approaches to learning the law.

Duration of Bachelor of Laws degree programme
53. (1) The duration for a Bachelor of Laws degree programme is three academic years.

(2) For purposes of subsection (1), the period of an academic year shall not be less than eight months.

Scholastic Standards

Scholastic standards for legal education

54. (1) A person in charge of the law degree programme of a university shall set written scholastic standards to assess the capability of students and dismiss students who are not fit to continue the Bachelor of Laws degree programme based on the set standard.

(2) The standards set under subsection (1)

(a) may be reviewed by the person in charge of the law degree programme; and

(b) shall be approved by the Council before implementation.

Retention, academic disqualification and graduation policies

55. A person in charge of the law degree programme of a university shall adopt written policies that are consistent with the general policies of the university in which the law degree programme operates on

(a) the requirements for graduation;

(b) the grounds upon which students are disqualified from pursuing the Bachelor of Laws degree programme; and

Evaluation of students for advancement and retention purposes

56. A person in charge of the law degree programme of a university shall

(a) determine the number of courses a law student is required to pass each year; and

(b) assess each first-year law student on the basis of performance in the courses pursued in the first year for purposes of retention or disqualification.

Disqualification for failure of first year examination
57. (1) Where,

(a) a student fails a number of courses as determined under section 56, and

(b) the person in charge of the law degree programme of a university is satisfied that the student is unable to complete the Bachelor of Laws degree programme successfully,

the person in charge of the law degree programme of the university shall disqualify the student from continuing the Bachelor of Laws degree programme.

(2) A person in charge of the law degree programme of a university

shall

(a) ensure the prompt marking and early release of examination results and scripts by law lecturers to ensure that the evaluation of student performance is done fairly and adequately; and

(b) submit a detailed report of the performance of all first-year law students to the Council for purposes of the evaluation within a time indicated by the Council.

(3) A person in charge of the law degree programme of a university shall not re-admit a student who has been previously disqualified by that law degree programme or another law degree programme on the grounds of academic performance, unless it is proven in fact that the previous disqualification does not indicate a lack of capacity to complete the Bachelor of Laws degree programme and to be enrolled on the Roll of Lawyers.

(4) A disqualified student who seeks readmission to a Bachelor of Laws degree programme shall indicate in the application for readmission the reasons for the prior disqualification.

Repetition of courses

58. (1) A person in charge of the law degree programme of a university shall formulate policies on the procedure for a student who has failed a course to re-take the failed course.

(2) The policies formulated under subsection (1) shall indicate

(a) when a student can re-take a failed course and the effect of a repeated course on the cumulative grade point average of the student; and

(b) the maximum number of times a student can re-take a failed course.

(3) Where a student is unable to pass a course after re-taking that course for the maximum number of times required, the law degree programme of the university shall dismiss the student.

Academic freedom
59. A person in charge of the law degree programme of a university shall formulate a comprehensive policy on academic freedom that promotes

(a) the freedom of members of the law degree programme to state a position on a particular legal concept, opinion or doctrine without fear of any reprisal; and

(b) scholarship, research, debate, public service and the freedom of association.

Law Practice Training

60. (1) A person who holds a Bachelor of Laws degree shall undergo Law Practice Training in order to qualify to sit the National Bar Examination.

(2) For purposes of subsection (1), Law Practice Training may involve

(a) the provision of legal services on an ad hoc basis to needy clients;

(b) working as

(i) a law clerk for an appellate judge; or

(ii) an observer in an administrative agency; or

(3) The law degree programme of a university shall supervise the students of that law degree programme to undertake Law Practice Training to ensure that qualitative work is done toward the realisation of the aims of the Law Practice Training.

Duration of Law Practice Training

61. The duration for Law Practice Training is one academic year beginning from September to June of the following year.

National Bar Examination Committee

Establishment of the National Bar Examination Committee
62. (1) There is established by this Act, the National Bar Examination Committee comprising

(a) two members of the Council; and

(b) five persons who are law lecturers, at least two of whom have taught law for a period of not less than ten years and the remaining law lecturers who have taught law for a period of not less than seven years.

(2) The Minister shall appoint a member of the National Bar Examination Committee who has been a law lecturer for a period of not less than ten years as the chairperson of the National Bar Examination Committee.

Functions of the National Bar Examination Committee
63. (1) The National Bar Examination Committee shall

(a) conduct examinations and assessments of students who have undertaken the Law Practice Training Course who are eligible to sit the National Bar Examination for purposes of enrolment on the Roll of Lawyers;

(b) assign responsibility for invigilating and marking the National Bar Examination;

(d) handle appeals from students against examination results and other matters relating to the assessment of students;

(e) conduct the moderation or equivalent reviews of results for the National Bar Examination, test and assessment marks;

(f) discipline students for examination misconduct;

(g) formulate policies regarding the re-sitting of the National Bar Examination;

(h) issue qualifying certificates to students who have passed the National Bar Examination; and

(i) review examination related policies and procedures at least once a year.

(2) Sections 8 and 10 on disclosure of interest and allowances apply to a member of the National Bar Examination Committee.

Tenure of office of members of the National Bar Examination Committee
64. (1) A member of the National Bar Examination Committee shall hold office for a period of four years and is eligible for reappointment for another term only.

(2) A member of the National Bar Examination Committee may at any time resign from office in writing addressed to the Minister.

(3) A member of the National Bar Examination Committee who is absent from three or more consecutive meetings of the National Bar Examination Committee without sufficient cause ceases to be a member.

(4) The Minister may, by letter addressed to a member, revoke the appointment of that member.

(5) Where a member of the National Bar Examination Committee is, for a sufficient reason, unable to act as a member, the Minister shall determine whether the inability of the member to act would result in the declaration of a vacancy.

(6) Where there is a vacancy

(a) under subsection (2), (3), (4) or subsection (2) of section 8,

(b) as a result of a declaration under subsection (5), or

the chairperson of the National Bar Examination Committee shall notify the Minister of the vacancy and the Minister shall appoint another person to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term.

Meetings of the National Bar Examination Committee

65. (1) The National Bar Examination Committee shall meet at least once each quarter for the conduct of business.

(2) The chairperson shall, at the request in writing of not less than one-third of the membership of the National Bar Examination Committee, convene an extraordinary meeting of the National Bar Examination Committee at a time and place determined by the chairperson.

(3) The quorum for a meeting of the National Bar Examination Committee is four members of the National Bar Examination Committee.

(4) The chairperson shall preside at meetings of the National Bar Examination Committee and in the absence of the chairperson, a member of the National Bar Examination Committee elected by the members present from among the number shall preside.

(5) Matters before the National Bar Examination Committee shall be decided by a majority of the members present and voting and in the event of an equality of votes, the person presiding shall have a casting vote.

(6) The National Bar Examination Committee may co-opt a person to attend a meeting of the National Bar Examination Committee but that person shall not vote on a matter for decision at the meeting.

(7) The proceedings of the National Bar Examination Committee shall not be invalidated by reason of a vacancy among the members or a defect in the appointment or qualification of a member.

(8) Subject to this section, the National Bar Examination Committee may determine the procedure for the meetings of the National Bar Examination Committee.

Conduct of National Bar Examination

Mode of conduct of National Bar examination
66. The National Bar Examination Committee shall determine the manner and the period within which the National Bar Examination shall be conducted.

Qualification to sit for National Bar Examination

67. A person qualifies to sit for the National Bar Examination if that person

(a) holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from a university accredited by the Council; and

(b) has completed the Law Practice Training Course.

Areas of law to be covered in National Bar Examination
68. Unless otherwise determined by a unanimous decision of the Council, the areas of law to be examined in the National Bar Examination include

(a) civil procedure, including a component of civil procedure that deals with the law of evidence in respect of proof in civil litigation;

(b) criminal procedure, including a component of criminal procedure that covers the law of evidence in respect of criminal trials;

(c) advocacy, ethics and the practice of law, including topics on law practice management, basic book-keeping and professional responsibility; and

(d) conveyancing and drafting.

Form of and standards for National Bar Examination
69. (1) The National Bar Examination may take the form of

(a) long or short essay questions;

(b) short form answers;

(d) case specific questions; and

(e) a hypothetical case analysis.

(2) The National Bar Examination Committee shall ensure the application of standards that ensure that the ability of students to apply knowledge to solve practical problems is adequately assessed.

Re-sit of National Bar Examination
70. (1) A person who fails the National Bar Examination the first time may, subject to the payment of the prescribed fee, re-sit the National Bar Examination.

(2) The National Bar Examination Committee shall prescribe rules to govern the re-sit of the National Bar Examination.

Enrolment on Roll of Lawyers

Qualification for enrolment

71. (1) A person qualifies to be enrolled on the Roll of Lawyers if the person

(a) obtains a Bachelor of Laws degree from a university accredited by the Council;

(b) completes the Law Practice Training Course; and

(2) Despite subsection (1), the Council may enroll a person who

(a) qualifies to practise law in a country with a system of law sufficiently analogous to that of Ghana which has a reciprocal arrangement with Ghana; and

(b) passes the Post-Call Law Course conducted by the Ghana School of Law.

Issue of qualifying certificate

72. The Council shall

(a) issue a qualifying certificate to a person who qualifies under section 71 to be enrolled on the Roll of Lawyers; and

(b) enter the name of the person on the Roll of Lawyers.

Post-Call Law Course and Remedial Courses for National Bar Examination

Conduct of Post-Call Law Course and Remedial Courses

73. The Ghana School of Law shall,

(a) in accordance with the Legal Profession (Professional and Post-Call Law Course) Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2355) administer the Post-Call Law Course to a person who is

(i) qualified and licensed to practise law in a country with a system of law sufficiently analogous to that of Ghana or a country which has a reciprocal arrangement with Ghana and who seeks to be enrolled on the Roll of Lawyers; or

(ii) a citizen and has satisfied the educational tests required for admission to practise in a country with a system of law sufficiently analogous to that of Ghana and may or may not have been admitted to practise in that country and who seeks to be enrolled on the Roll of Lawyers; and

(b) offer remedial courses for a person who wishes to re-sit the National Bar Examination.

Legal Education Reform Appeals Tribunal

Establishment of the Legal Education Reform Appeals Tribunal

74. (1) There is established by this Act, the Legal Education Reform Appeals Tribunal.

(2) The Tribunal shall be constituted on an ad-hoc basis to consider appeals against a decision of the Council on a matter relating to an accreditation licence issued under this Act.

Composition of the Tribunal

75. (1) The Tribunal consists of

(a) a chairperson, who is a person with not less than fifteen years’ experience in matters relating to legal education; and

(b) four other persons, each of whom has not less than five years’ experience in matters relating to legal education.

(2) The Judicial Council shall appoint the members of the Tribunal.

(3) Sections 8 and 10 on disclosure of interest and allowances apply to a member of the Tribunal.

Administration of the Tribunal

76. (1) The Minister shall appoint

(a) a Registrar to manage the administrative affairs of the Tribunal; and

(b) other staff necessary for the efficient and effective operation of the Tribunal.

(2) The Registrar shall oversee the day-to-day operations of the Tribunal.

Expenses of the Tribunal

77. (1) The expenses of the Tribunal shall be a charge on the funds of the Council.

(2) The chairperson of the Tribunal shall submit an annual budget for approval by the Board.

(3) The Board shall release funds for the operations of the Tribunal not later than the first quarter of the financial year.

Rules of procedure of the Tribunal
78. (1) The Board shall, within ninety days of the coming into force of this Act, draft rules of procedure for the Tribunal.

(2) The rules of procedure shall be approved by a panel of the Tribunal convened for that purpose.

(3) The Board shall publish the rules of procedure in the Gazette.

Right of appeal

79. (1) A person aggrieved by a decision of the Council on a matter relating to an accreditation licence issued under this Act may, within twenty-one days of the date of the decision, appeal to the Tribunal.

(2) A notice of appeal under subsection (1) shall specify

(a) the decision being appealed against;

(b) the legal provisions under which the decision was made; and

(3) The Tribunal shall convene to hear the appeal within thirty days of receipt of the notice of appeal.

Decisions of the Tribunal
80. (1) The Tribunal may, after hearing an appeal,

(a) overturn the decision being appealed;

(b) partially allow the appeal; or

(2) Where the Tribunal allows an appeal in part, the Tribunal may modify the decision of the Council subject to conditions that the Tribunal considers appropriate.

(3) The decision of the Tribunal shall have the same effect as a judgment of the High Court.

Appeal against decision of the Tribunal

81. (1) A party who is dissatisfied with a decision of the Tribunal on a matter may appeal to the High Court.

(2) An appeal under subsection (1) shall be

(a) on a point of law only; and

(b) filed within thirty days of the decision of the Tribunal.

Miscellaneous Provisions

Request for information

82. The Council may, within the time specified by the Council, require a person to provide the Council with returns or information relating to legal education and training that the Council requires to enable the Council to perform a function under this Act.

Regulations

83. (1) The Minister may, on the advice of the Council, by legislative instrument, make Regulations for the effective and efficient implementation of this Act.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the Regulations shall provide for

(a) the courses and examinations to be undertaken at law degree programmes of universities;

(b) disciplinary rules to be observed by persons admitted to the law degree programme of a university;

(d) forms to be used for an application under this Act.

Interpretation

84. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,

“Board” means the governing body of the Council established under section 6;

“Council” means the Council for Legal Education and Training established under section 1;

“Minister” means the Minister responsible for Justice;

“National Bar Examination Committee” means the National Bar Examination Committee established under section 62;

“Registrar” means a person appointed under section 11; and

“Tribunal” means the Legal Education Reform Appeals Tribunal established under section 74.

Revocation
85. Regulations 1 to 22 of the Legal Profession (Professional and Post-Call Law Course) Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2355) are revoked.

Consequential amendments
86. (1) The Legal Profession Act, 1960 (Act 32) is amended by the repeal of the following:

(a) paragraph (a) of subsection (1);

(b) section 3;

(d) section 6;

(e) section 7;

(f) section 13;

(g) paragraph (a) of section 14; and

(h) section 15.

(2) The Legal Profession (Professional and Post-Call Law Course) Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2355) is amended by the substitution for the Short Title, of “Legal Profession (Post-Call Law Course) Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2355)”.

Savings

87. (1) Despite the revocation and repeal of the provisions under sections 85 and 86, any Regulations, bye-laws, directives, notices, licences, authorisations, appointments or other act lawfully made under the repealed provisions and in force immediately before the coming into force of this Act shall be deemed to have been made under this Act and shall continue to have effect until revoked, reviewed, cancelled or terminated.

(2) This Act shall not affect the repealed provisions in the operation of offences committed, penalties imposed or proceedings commenced before the coming into force of this Act.

Transitional provision

88. A university that offers or provides legal education before the coming into force of this Act shall, within one year after the coming into force of this Act, apply to the Council for accreditation in accordance with this Act.

Date of Gazette notification: 24th October, 2025.

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