RECEDING REPUTATION OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION IN NIGERIA: TAKING STOCK AND MOVING FORWARD

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.