STAKEHOLDERS FORUM, JANUARY 2015
To entrench the operations of the Council in its regulatory and supervisory roles, the Council has commenced the difficult task of formulating regulations policy framework and benchmarks to be followed by all legal education providers in the training of various cadres of legal professionals. Further, the Council is re-positioning itself to review the strategic issues and objectives involved in giving direction to legal training in Kenya and the wider East African region.
For these two exercises to come to full fruition, it is necessary that the Council commences a dialogue will all stakeholders involved in the legal profession, in particular the Government of Kenya, the Attorney-General’s Office, the Judiciary, Directorate of Public Prosecution, the Council of the Law Society of Kenya, training fraternity of the legal profession in particular the schools of law at universities and professional training institutions such as the Kenya School of Law and the Judiciary Training Institute to name but a few. Dialogue with these stakeholders should give the necessary impetus and direction to Legal Education Policy and the Strategic Objectives and issues that the Council of Legal Education should isolate for implementation both in the short-term and long-term.
The Council therefore held a three day workshop at Lake Naivasha Simba Lodge, bringing together all actors in the legal profession from the East African Region to discuss pertinent issues pertaining to legal education and training and the role and place of the Council of Legal Education as the regulator and supervisor of Legal Education in Kenya.
The theme of the forum was: “Supporting Legal Education and Training in Developing a Dynamic East African Society and beyond”
The forum was an opportunity for legal education providers and stakeholders to share ideas and experiences that will assist improve the legal profession in Kenya and East Africa. It was also an opportunity to provide feedback on the regulation of legal education and training with a view of improving this process.
The participation of the East Africa players in Legal education and training, both the legal education providers and regulators, will be a positive contribution towards regional integration, collaboration and partnerships in areas of common interest. This process will add value to the already on-going exercise of developing common East Africa standards of equating regional qualifications in legal education and training.