The legal profession is an honourable one and all who belong or aspire to belong to it must exhibit that trait and strength of character; good character is most crucial for admission to the Law School and subsequently to the Bar.
The Council of Legal Education, conscious of its responsibility for the legal education of persons seeking to become members of the legal profession and for regulating disciplined men of honour and gentlemen, in conjunction with the Body of Benchers, hereby publishes this Code of Conduct for the information and compliance of Law Students who intend to seek admission into the Nigerian Law School, qualify for the Bar, and subsequently enrol as legal practitioners in Nigeria:-
1. A Law Student must be honest and of good behaviour. He should be a responsible and reliable person.
2. He should be well dressed at all times. (see ‘Dress Code for Law Students’) At call ceremonies, qualified students must wear regulation dress and also the wig, winged collar and bibs or collarette, and barrister’s gown. These must be clean and neat. It is compulsory. The mode of dress is mandatory for both male and female students for attending Lectures and other extra curricula activities and when called to the Bar; at attendance at Magistrates’ and all Superior Courts.
3. Under no circumstance should any student engage in fighting, the use of offensive language, assault or any other related misconduct.
4. (a) A student must not have been convicted of a criminal offence, bordering on dishonesty or fraud.
- Free pardon under the Prerogative of Mercy of convicts of fraud or any act of dishonesty does not entitle a candidate to admission because the fact of commission of the crime remains. A pardon only wipes out the punishment.
5. A prospective student must not be involved in secret cult activities in the University or anywhere. No student found guilty by the University authorities and rusticated for belonging to a banned organization will qualify for admission to the Law School.
6. A Law Student should not have been found guilty of examination misconduct in the University or of any offence involving moral turpitude. If the offence is committed in the Nigerian Law School, such a student will be disqualified for life. Students should shun cheating of any kind at all times particularly during examinations either in the University or in the Law School.
7. A Law Student should not be involved in any shady business either before or at the Law School (or in the so-called 419) or do anything that will portray him as of doubtful character.
8. The one-year practical training at the Law School is a full-time course. No student should therefore engage in any gainful employment or Youth Service during the course.
9. All Law Students are expected to observe decorum in manners and decent living at all times and must learn how to behave at assemblies of people. They must learn the act of addressing others and learn decent table manners. Their spoken English should be in Queen’s English as the use of English Language is a great weapon in a lawyer’s armoury.
10 An aspirant to the Nigerian Bar must be disciplined in keeping time and appointments. The courts sit at 9.00 a.m. and barristers must be in courts latest by 8.45 a.m. Students should imbibe this culture or habit while in school. If lectures start by 9.00 a.m. students should be seated by 8.45 a.m.
11 A prospective student must not be found to be dishonest in his interpersonal relations with people or known with acts which may be suggestive of his inability to enjoy the confidence of his clients after being called to the Nigerian Bar.
12 Aspirants to the Nigerian bar are expected to be analytical and logical in their thinking and arguments.
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