Directorate & Division

The mandate of the office of the Secretary/CEO is derived from S.11 (1) (2) (3) (4) of the Legal Education Act No.27 of 2012 which requires the Council to appoint a Secretary who shall be responsible for the day to day running of the affairs of the Council and such other duties as may be assigned by the Council.   The overall purpose of the office is to give general direction and leadership to the Council in the achievement of its mandate.

The Standards, Licensing, Supervision & Compliance Directorate is a core mandate directorate charged to deliver five of the six core mandates outlined in section 8(1)(a) - (f), Legal Education Act [Cap. 16B] Laws of Kenya namely: -

·         Regulation, supervision and licensing of legal education programmes and providers in Kenya;

·         Recognition of foreign legal qualifications;

·         Advising the Government on matters pertaining legal education and training in Kenya.

Moreover, the Directorate oversees the development and enforcement of standards relating to: -

(a)   accreditation of legal education providers for the purposes of licensing;

(b)   curricula and mode of instruction;

(c)   mode and quality of examinations;

(d)   harmonization of legal education programmes;

(e)   monitoring and evaluation of legal education providers and programmes.

The Directorate assists and supports Council achieve the primary objective of promoting legal education and training and maintenance of the highest possible standards in legal education in Kenya. The Directorate implements these functions under the overarching guidance of the Legal Education Act No. Cap. 16B, the Council of Legal Education (Accreditation and Quality Assurance) Regulations, 2016 and Council’s directions. Moreover, other statutes that support the Directorate’s work in this regard are the Advocates Act [Cap. 16] as well as the Legal Aid Act [Cap.16A] Laws of Kenya.

The Directorate offers the following services:

(i)    Licensing of Legal Education programmes and providers in Kenya; <link to service portal>

(ii)   Recognition and approval of foreign qualifications in Law <link to service portal>

(iii)  Applications for certification of experiential learning < link to service portal>

(iv)  Clearance for purposes of admission to the undergraduate Bachelor of Laws programme or the Advocates Training Programme;

(v)   Independent peer review of legal education curricula (an internal service embedded within the process of licensing legal education programmes);

(vi)  Verification of pupillage compliance certificates for purposes of gazettement of candidates for admission to the Roll of Advocates in Kenya (an internal service offered in liaison with and in support of the Directorate of Examinations).

The mandate of the Directorate of Examinations is derived from Section 8 subsection 1(f) of the Legal Education Act No. 27 of 2012 which requires the Council to administer such professional examinations as may be prescribed under section 13 of the Advocates Act.
The Directorate comprises of two Divisions; the Test Development Division and the Examination Administration Division.

The Division is established pursuant to the Public Finance Management Act 2012 section 73 that requires an audit unit to be established in all government bodies. Internal Audit is responsible for providing objective risk assurance, ensuring governance system are established, functioning, and providing consulting services to the Board and management guided by the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing as per the Institute of Internal Auditors (IAA).

The Division consists of two units: The Human Resource unit oversees workforce-related tasks, including talent acquisition, recruitment, employee development, performance management, employee relations, and welfare. The Administrative Unit manages office operations, records maintenance, and transportation to ensure seamless day-to-day functioning.

The Division of Finance and Accounting is responsible for managing the budgeting process, approving accounts receivables and payables, overseeing organizational billing, reconciling accounts, and preparing financial reports for internal and external use. The PFM Act 2012, establishes the Office of the Accounting Officer for a State Corporation whose responsibilities require the functions of the Finance and Accounts Department.

The Division implements policies and procedures necessary to ensure the effective, secure, and appropriate use of organization Information Communication Technology (ICT) resources and services.

The primary role of the Division is to promote public confidence and trust in CLE by conveying informative, accurate, timely and factual information.

The Division is responsible for developing, implementing and monitoring the legal and regulatory framework and providing company secretarial services to the Board of Directors, provision of technical and strategic leadership in the development of an appropriate legal and policy framework to management as anchored in the Code of Governance for State Corporations (MWONGOZO).

The Division is established pursuant to the provisions of Section 47 of PPAD Act, 2015. It is responsible for all matters relating to design, planning, execution, control and monitoring of supply chain activities to facilitate efficient and effective systems of acquisition of goods, works and services, as well as disposal of assets.