Code of Conduct For
Law Students
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:-
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A Law Student must be honest and of good behaviour. He
should be a responsible and reliable person.
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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.
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Under no circumstance should any student engage in fighting,
the use of offensive language, assault or any other related
misconduct.
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A student must not have been convicted of a criminal
offence, bordering on dishonesty or fraud
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Aspirants to the Nigerian bar are expected to be analytical
and logical in their thinking and arguments.
Dress Code For
Law Students
The legal profession is a profession for gentlemen and lawyers
are reputed for dressing well. The Council of Legal Education,
the body responsible for the legal education of those aspiring to
become members of the legal profession demands that students
be well and properly dressed, not only when they get to the Law
School but while at the academic stage of training in the
universities. It has therefore prescribed a dress code for law
students as enumerated hereunder:
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Students should be well dressed at all times. The regulation
dress for male students is black suits, white shirts, black ties
(not bow tie), black socks and black shoes with white breast
pocket handkerchiefs. Striped black trousers may be worn
under black jackets. Black suits are mandatory for Mondays
and Wednesdays.
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For female students, white blouse, black jacket and black
skirt covering the knees (black suit) and black shoes are to
be worn. Dresses should be clean and decently sewn.
There should be no embroidery and trimmings of any type
and only moderate jewellery (earrings and watches) are to
be worn.
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During hot weather, students may be permitted to wear
white shirts with ties and black trousers and black shoes to
class. Ladies can wear black skirts and white blouses.
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At dinners, students must be punctual, be in regulation
dress i.e. in black suit, white shirts, black ties, black socks,
black shoes for male and white blouse, black jacket and
black skirts covering the knees, black shoes and black
handbags.
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Students are expected to behave and conduct themselves
with decorum and decently at all times, bearing in mind that
they are aspiring to train for a profession which has evolved
over centuries with a settled culture and tradition.
The above mode of dress is compulsory for both male and female
students for attendance at lectures and extra curriculum activities.
When in attendance at the Nigerian Law School aspirants would
be informed of the Dress Code in the School which is similar to
the above. Students would also be informed of the Dress Code
for the Call to Bar ceremony and at the Bar. All Academic staff
are expected by the Council to serve as role models for students
in dressing and other aspects of life.
