Amid growing debate over the proper valuation of legal services and the implementation of the Legal Practitioners’ Remuneration Order, an Abuja-based lawyer, Barbara Tosan Onwubiko, has called on the Nigerian Bar Association leadership to introduce a mandatory document authentication system to elevate professionalism and increase financial returns for lawyers, especially young practitioners.
In a bold and detailed submission, Onwubiko expressed concern over what she described as a counterproductive resistance by lawyers to policies aimed at elevating their own profession.
“It’s concerning to see learned individuals resisting a policy designed to enhance the legal profession,” she said.
She proposed that, much like procedures in the courts, all legal documents drafted by lawyers should pass through a central NBA-managed authentication process, where each document is tagged with a special seal and identification number after payment of a 2% processing fee from the total money already paid into a designated central account of the NBA.
“It is essential that we establish a mandatory central procedure where every document prepared by lawyers features a special seal and identification number, akin to the processes in our courts after necessary fees are paid. These payments should be directed into a designated NBA account, allowing the NBA to take its 2% cut while ensuring that lawyers walk away satisfied,” Onwubiko stated.
Taking her argument further, she recommended that this process be treated with the same seriousness as the mandatory Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) points:
“Just as the NBA requires lawyers to earn 5 ICLE points, I propose that the NBA mandates adherence to this document authentication process. Any documents not following this procedure should be deemed inadmissible in court (oh! Yes, I said so),” she added emphatically.
Onwubiko believes that if the NBA adopts this proposal and enforces the Remuneration Order with similar rigour, it would lead to sustainable financial growth for many struggling lawyers across the country.
“I am confident that if the NBA vigorously enforces the Renumeration Order in a similar manner, we will pave the way for many young lawyers to achieve financial stability. The leadership possesses the knowledge and authority to make this happen,” she concluded.
Her remarks have since sparked renewed discussion within legal circles on how best to enforce professional standards and ensure lawyers benefit fairly from their services.
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