9 Functions of the Nigerian Bar Association

In this post, we look at the functions of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). The NBA is an association, made up of professional lawyers in Nigeria.

Much of the activities of this professional body is to make sure that, they promote as well as, protect human rights, protect the rule of law and protect good governance in the country.

The professional body also worked in partnership with some national non-governmental organizations and the international non-governmental organizations whose works are in relation with the human rights, and that of the rule of law, including good governance both in Nigeria and in the Africa continent.

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This professional body, called the Nigerian Bar Association is a disciplined people-centered professional body, which through its seriousness, undertook a leading responsibility in making sure that, the reform of Nigeria’s laws is advanced, as well as, strengthening its access to the institutions of justice and as well, promotes the rule of law and in addition, promotes good governance.

The Nigerian Bar Association is also saddled with the responsibility of strengthening the legal skills and promoted the law practice of Nigerian lawyers.

Another of its duty is the improvement of the legal profession with a view to meet the 21st century’s needs in the legal profession.

The professional body has also involved in repositioning Nigerian lawyers and spurred them to embrace the changes, as well as, cope with the changes brought about by economic development and information technology.

This development has made Nigerian lawyers, as well as, the Nigerian courts to compete favourably with the international globalized arena.

Functions Of The Nigerian Bar Association:

The Nigerian Bar Association is undertaking many functions as spelled out in its constitution, however, in this article, I am going to explain most of these functions as spelled out in the Nigerian Bar Association’s constitution.

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1. The Nigerian Bar Association Maintains And Defences The Integrity Of The Bar

One of the major functions of the Nigeria Bar Association is to make sure that, the integrity of the Nigerian Bar Association is maintained, and as well, defended.

Asides the maintenance of the Bar’s integrity, and the defense of the Bar’s integrity, the Nigerian Bar Association also maintained the independence of the Bar and defended the same, including the maintenance and defense of the Judiciary in the country.

2. The Nigerian Bar Association Promotes And Advances Legal Education

Continuous learning and frequent upgrading of skills and knowledge have been held at a high scale in almost every organization today globally.

Therefore, the Nigerian Bar Association is not ignorant about such development hence, it has involved in promoting legal education, as well as, advancing Legal Education, and Continuing Legal Education, and Advocacy, as well as Jurisprudence.

3. The Nigerian Bar Association Improves The System Of Administration Of Justice

Another function of the Nigerian Bar Association has been to improve the system of justice administration in Nigeria.

The Bar has also involved in the arrangement and the procedure of business of the court, including the regular law reportage. The procedure and the business of the court are expected to be effective and efficient through the activities of the Nigerian Bar Association.

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4. The Nigerian Bar Association Establishes And Maintains Efficient Operation Of The System

It is the function of the Nigerian Bar Association to make sure that, it established an efficient operation of the system that has to do with prompt efficient legal assistance particularly, for those set of persons who are desirous, but who could not be able to afford such services.

Apart from establishing such an efficient system of operation, it is also the function of the Nigerian Bar Association to maintain such a system.

5. The Nigerian Bar Association Promotes And Support Law Reform

This is another function of the Nigerian Bar Association. It is the place of the Nigerian Bar Association to endeavour to support the law reform in the country, and as well, promote law reform in Nigeria.

Through law reform programmes, obsolete laws that are detrimental to the growth of Nigeria would be changed and amended, while good laws would also be made to give room for the progress of the Nigerian state.

6. The Nigerian Bar Association Mountains Higher Standard Of Legal Profession

Every professional body has its professional ethics, so does the Nigerian Bar Association. With its professional standard, it is expected that legal practitioners comply with the highest professional standard in carrying out their constitutional duties.

Going by this, it is incumbent on the part of the Nigerian Bar Association to make sure that it maintains this standard of professional standards, professional conduct professional etiquette, and professional discipline.

7. The Nigerian Bar Association Promotes Good Relations Among Its Members

One of the purposes of forming a professional body is to promote the interest of members. In the case of the Nigerian Bar Association, the professional body is saddled with the responsibility of promoting good relations among its members. Such relations are also promoted between legal practitioners from other countries of the world.

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8. The Nigerian Bar Association Promotes Cooperation National And International Law Organization

The Nigerian Bar Association also extended its tentacles in promoting national and international cooperation between the Nigerian Bar Association and the international law organizations.

This cooperation is also extended to other such organizations and professional bodies that the Nigerian Bar Association deemed fit to relate with, and such cooperation is approved by the National Executive Committee.

9. The Nigerian Bar Association Encourages And Protects The Right Of Access To Court

It is the duty of the Nigerian Bar Association to encourage, as well as, protect the right of persons to approach court, in the event of someone infringing their rights, the Nigerian Bar Association will also go as far as protecting the right of persons, who may wish to access court, and the Nigerian Bar Association must make it in a way that is much more reasonable, in terms of fee to be afforded.

The Nigerian Bar Association also encouraged and protected the right of representation by the legal practitioner before the court of law and the tribunal.

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Conclusion

This professional body, called the Nigerian Bar Association is a disciplined people-centered professional body, which through its seriousness, undertook a leading responsibility in making sure that, the reform of Nigeria’s laws is advanced, as well as, strengthening its access to the institutions of justice and as well, promotes the rule of law and in addition, promotes good governance.

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