Debate over number of years’ pupillage for young lawyers resurfaces
The debate over the role and extent of pupillage for young lawyers before embarking on law practise to prevent professional pitfalls in the country has resurfaced. Pupillage is an apprenticeship period at a senior lawyer’s chambers before a lawyer ventures into independent practice. Various executives of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have prioritised young lawyers’ […]
The debate over the role and extent of pupillage for young lawyers before embarking on law practise to prevent professional pitfalls in the country has resurfaced.
Pupillage is an apprenticeship period at a senior lawyer’s chambers before a lawyer ventures into independent practice.
Various executives of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have prioritised young lawyers’ training and capacity building.
At the just concluded Annual General Conference (AGC) of the NBA in Lagos (August 19–26), a session on job fair was devoted to the Young Lawyers’ Forum on August 24, with Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court among the panellists and Tobi Adebowale and Achanya Excel as coordinators and Sylvia Nzekwu as moderator.
The latest debate followed the controversial remand of human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong by the Akwa Ibom State High Court over contempt of court.
Following the one-month sentence of Effiong by the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaette Obot, between July 27 and August 27, some lawyers blamed it on contempt of court due to a lack of adequate pupillage.
A former Attorney General of the Federation and Commissioner of Justice, Uwemedimo Nwoko (SAN), who is a member of the Body of Benchers, accused the lawyer of being a victim of lack of mentorship.
“Since he left law school, he has not been mentored by anybody. He has not learnt the simple courtesy of telling the court, “As the court pleases.”
“Where he is, it is for him to learn to say, ‘As the court pleases.’ Lawyers don’t argue or quarrel with the court. We don’t insult the judges.
“If he feels dissatisfied with his conviction, he will go to the Court of Appeal and the relevant people will meet him there.”
Earlier, Dr Remi Olatubora (SAN) said there was a need to set rules that would require lawyers from law school to have a minimum of five years of tutelage under a senior lawyer to master the ropes in the trade.
“With five years of tutelage, the new lawyer would have the opportunity of being around when papers in a new case are filed, when interlocutory applications are made, when the trial is conducted, when the final address is prepared, adopted and argued in court, and judgement is rendered,” he said.
“Even if a person wants to leave the legal profession to advise companies or go into corporate practice, they must first practise as a barrister. They should know how documents prepared by solicitors are rejected in court. They should have seen lawyers contesting the admissibility of documents and other things.
“My colleagues who, from the onset, had pupillage with prominent and senior counsel had a lot of advantages over us (that did not have pupillage). It was easier for them to become senior advocates earlier than us because we had to ‘pick’ our own training along the line.”
Although Effiong declined comment on the assertions, other lawyers insist that pupillage is not compulsory for succesful legal practice.
For his part, a human rights lawyer, Abubakar Sanni, dismissed the allegations against Effiong that were relied on to incarcerate him as mere fabrication, conjecture and speculation.
He maintained that lawyers didn’t need to undergo pupillage for more than one year.
Similarly, Dayo Akinlaja (SAN) said pupillage is not compulsory or mandatory for lawyers practising today but rested in the realm of choice.
“However, it is professional wisdom for a newly qualified lawyer to understudy a worthy senior for a proper foundation in the practice of the law profession,” he said.
“The way to develop meaningful passion is to understudy a role model and mentor.
“In my honest view, whatever level of passion may not develop into thoroughness and effectiveness without the benefit of learning from a senior.
“Nonetheless, the prime role that grim determination and providence play in the race of life cannot be underestimated.”
- M. D. Umukoro Esq. said there might be an exception to every rule where long pupillage may not be required for a successful legal practise or any other profession.
“Tutelage is supposed to build, mold and prepare and train the young lawyer into a dependable lawyer ready to contribute to the growth and development of the administration of the justice system to all.
“The duration of tutelage is another thing as it depends on the pupil, his zeal, rate of growth, and the principal,” he said.
He said a young lawyer needed not set up his own practise if the law firm of his tutelage had a place for his growth and tutelage.
He said sometimes, striking out on their own could expose the lawyer to so many pitfalls and they would learn the hard way.
“The idea of pupillage is good if the necessities for its sustenance are in place. Pupillage need not be too long as long as all goes well,” he added.
In his view, Hameed Ajibola Jimoh Esq said pupillage is not compulsory but necessary in getting the legal practice done much more professionally.
He said, “A lawyer in an exceptional case might do well or catch up without pupillage but in most times, it is just advisable and the reality will prove to the lawyer that his lack of, or insufficient exposure to the legal practice which would aid him in his legal practice, would have made him acquire such practical skills.”