The Lagos Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is set to discuss the worrying trend of professional misconduct and breach of ethical values during the Bar and the Bench forum at its forthcoming law week.
Chairperson of the 2024 Law Week Planning Committee, Folashade Alli (SAN), said a key part of the week would be the forum where issues affecting the Judiciary and ethics would be discussed.
The theme of the conference is: “Charting new legal frontiers: Practice of law in Nigeria, cross-border alliances and partnerships”, while the sub-theme is: “Enhancing legal practice and judiciary in Nigeria: collaborative strategies for reform.”
She stated that they will also explore how Nigerian lawyers can collaborate with their foreign counterparts during a briefing at the weekend in Lagos.
Following the signing of the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) between Nigeria and Britain in February, which purportedly intends to allow British lawyers to practice in Nigeria, the NBA President, Yakubu Maiykau (SAN) had issued a statement barring foreign lawyers from practising in the country.
But the Lagos Branch said its law week scheduled to be held between June 10 and 15, 2024, would examine the pros and cons of cross-border practice to decide the best way forward.
Alli said: “We are in an era where, with the rapid globalisation and technological advancements, there’s a need for us to think inwards and see how we can as lawyers meet up with the challenges and the shift in the practice of law.
“A lot of law firms are having various forms of alliances, and we don’t want to be left out.
“That’s why we decided to engage and discuss these issues, as well as technological advancements such as AI and blockchain.
“By the time we interrogate all this, we should come to a consensus on the way forward.”
She said the keynote speaker will be a leading lawyer in Britain and Global Senior Partner at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, Segun Osuntokun.
“This law firm employs over 1,200 lawyers. So, we’re really excited to have him in Nigeria to discuss how we can adapt to the changes that have evolved all over the world in the practice of law.
“We plan to interrogate issues that affect the way we practice law in Nigeria, including ethics. Compliance with the rules of professional conduct will all be examined. A whole day has been dedicated to this,” she said.
NBA Lagos Branch Chairman Olabisi Makanjuola said the law week, which will be held at the Harbour Point Hall on Wilmot Point Road, Victoria Island, would be like no other.
Giving details of the week, he said there will be plenary sessions on June 10 and 11 at 9am; a democracy day walk, charity visits, a law clinic, elders’ night and movie night on June 12.
He added that the Bar and Bench Day will take place on June 13, while the Chief Judge’s cocktail will be later in the evening of the same day.
The law week will close with Young Lawyers Day/New Wig Induction and a closing party on June 14, while a family fun day/novelty match day will take place on Saturday, June 15.
Makanjuola, who is a partner at Olaniwun Ajayi LP, said careful consideration was given to the theme, adding that decisions reached will be implemented so that it will not be another talk shop.
According to him, in deciding on the theme, adequate consideration was taken about previous themes and their impact so far.
He pledged to make a lasting impression in the minds of all attendees.
