NBA Remuneration Committee Urges Strict Compliance with Legal Practitioners’ Remuneration Order 2023
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Remuneration Committee, under the leadership of Chief Emeka Obegolu, PhD., SAN, has formally notified all Local Government Authoritiesof the Legal Practitioners’ Remuneration Order 2023. This Order, which took effect on May 16, 2023, was signed by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice in his capacity as the Chairman of the Legal Practitioners Remuneration Committee.
The Order establishes a standardized framework for the remuneration of legal practitioners in Nigeria, ensuring fairness, transparency, and consistency in the legal profession. It sets minimum fees for various legal services, including property transactions, advisory services, and legal documentation, to promote fair compensation and maintain professional standards.
Importance of Compliance
The NBA Remuneration Committee emphasizes that all Local Government Authorities must:
1. Recognize and enforce the prescribed remuneration structure for all legal services, including land transactions, agreements, and corporate advisory services.
2. Ensure strict adherence to the Order in legal dealings involving lawyers to prevent underpricing and protect professional integrity.
3. Require compliance from all legal practitioners engaged by government institutions to avoid legal liabilities associated with non-compliance.
Legal Basis and Enforcement
The Legal Practitioners’ Remuneration Order 2023 is backed by Section 15(3) of the Legal Practitioners Act (Cap L11, LFN 2004), which mandates the regulation of legal fees in Nigeria. Key provisions include:
– Article 1(2): “A legal practitioner shall not accept fees lower than the prescribed minimum remuneration for any service rendered under this Order.”
– Article 8(1): “A legal practitioner engaged in property transactions, advisory services, or other professional work must ensure that fees charged comply with the provisions of this Order.”
Call for Compliance
The NBA urges Local Government Authorities, MDAs, and other stakeholders to enforce strict compliance with the Order. Lawyers handling legal documentation, advisory services, and property transactions must adhere to the prescribed fees to uphold professional standards. Any violation of the Order may attract regulatory action.
The NBA remains committed to transparency, fairness, and the continuous professional development of legal practitioners. For further inquiries, please contact:
– NBA Remuneration Committee:nbaremunerationc@nigerianbar.org.ng
– Rachael Princewill: 0817 815 6933
Thank you for your cooperation in maintaining the integrity of the legal profession.
Yours faithfully,
CHIEF EMEKA OBEGOLU, PhD., SAN
Chair, NBA Remuneration Committee
