Lawyers In Nigeria Can Now Practice In UK, USA — CLB

According to the Centre for Law and Business and Barbri Global, lawyers in Nigeria who have acquired cross or multiple professional qualifications can now practice law in the United States of America and the United Kingdom.

Mr Dapo Oyewumi, founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Law and Business (CLB), made this revelation on Thursday while speaking at a press conference in Lagos.

He stated that the new breakthrough had the potential to deliver enormous benefits to lawyers and the legal profession in the West African region, and in the long run, in Africa.

In addition, a webinar titled “The International Lawyer: Cross Professional Qualifications Masterclass” was conducted during the event, which was held at the renowned Metropolitan Club on Victoria Island in Lagos.

He explained that it is a collaboration between two of the most prestigious institutions in the field of legal education: Barbri Global and CLB. He went on to say that the relationship will make it possible for lawyers in Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia, amongst others, to prepare within their own jurisdictions for the examinations required to be called to the New York Bar, the California Bar, and the UK Solicitor, thereby enabling them to obtain cross or multiple professional qualifications.

According to him, cross or multiple professional qualifications will place such lawyers on the global professional stage, affording them the advantages of international opportunities and allowing them to serve the needs of international clients, multinational corporations, multilateral organizations, and other entities.

He further said that cross or multi-professionally qualified lawyers have the following advantages: a distinguished self, global relevance, and better employability.

His words: “Significantly and uniquely, the UK solicitor qualification requirement which stipulates practical work experience will recognise and accept in-country work experience and candidates need not necessarily seek work experience abroad with UK solicitor firms to qualify under the programme.

“Notably also, non-lawyers can benefit from this offering and every forward-looking professional is invited to take advantage of this immense opportunity.”