Rivers State University Journal of Public Law

Abstract
The Legal Profession in Nigeria has come under public scrutiny in recent times due to the changed and
changing nuisances in society, nonetheless, the profession being a conservative one, refused to adapt
to the move. The effect has been the receding reputation of the profession in Nigeria. Therefore, the
paper argued that the legal profession, particularly members of the judicial arm of government must
key into society’s perceptions by resolving issues based on merit, rather than technicalities. Most
Nigerians are not educated in the ordinary letters of the law; however, they intelligently observe
proceedings to see positive outcomes. The work adopted the doctrinal method of academic research
which comprises both primary and secondary sources. The work advanced the view that public
perception is a key element to the advancement of every democracy and that the legal profession is the
leading part of the human calling that has the potential to either sustain or destroy democracy. The
work recommended that the profession must self-regulate itself to regain the public confidence reposed
in members of the profession. It also called for the recruitment of intellectually philosophical justices
who should have acquired postgraduate degrees before their elevation to the higher bench.
Keywords: Legal Profession, Nigeria, Receding, Reputation

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