Bill Simplify Law Entrance fee.
The Kenya School of Law (Amendment) Bill 2023 is a new legislative proposal that Kirinyaga Woman Representative Jane Njeri Maina has introduced. With the passage of this bill, the Kenya School of Law Act would be modified to allow students who fulfill certain requirements to be admitted to the Kenya School of Law (KSL) for the Advocates Training Programme (ATP).
The proposed modification would permit students who have met the minimal entrance requirements for a law diploma as well as those who currently have a law diploma from a Kenyan institution that is recognized—a university, college, or other recognized organization, for example.
According to Jane Njeri Maina, the Bill aims to simplify the legal education process by addressing numerous stakeholders’ long-standing requests for reform.
If a person meets the minimal entry criterion for a diploma in law, they would still be eligible for admission to the ATP even if they do not match the present requirements, according to the proposed bill.
Currently, to be admitted to KSL, applicants must have a mean grade of C+ in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) or its equivalent, as well as a minimum grade of B in English or Kiswahili.
Bill Simplify Law Entrance fee
There have been prior legislative attempts to loosen the requirements for legal education in Kenya. Earlier this year, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino introduced the Legal Education (Amendment) Bill 2023, aiming to loosen the requirements for law degree admission. Babu Owino contended that more students would be able to pursue legal studies if the prerequisite of a grade B in English or Kiswahili were eliminated.
The goal of these initiatives is to provide more students with access to legal education, because many potential applicants have been turned away by the current, strict requirements. In Kenya, the problem of imposters and unlicensed attorneys has also been a source of worry. Notable cases such as the one involving Brian Mwenda have brought attention to the necessity of closely monitoring the legal profession. However, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has pledged to rid the field of dishonest professionals.
Bill Simplify Law Entrance fee.
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