Election Of Young Lawyers Executive Will Not Hinder Branch Activities – Chidi Udekwe, Esq
The plight of Young Lawyers has over the years been attributed to a lot of factors.
The factors which range from lack of pupillage to poor remuneration have severally posed a challenge to the development of Young Lawyers. Some of these factors or concerns prompted the establishment of the Young Lawyers Forum (YLF).
However, the question has remained as to whether the establishment of the Forum has improved the lot of Young Lawyers.
By the provision of the NBA Constitution, the aims and Objectives for establishing the YLF cannot be over-emphasised but, it appears that despite the establishment of the Forum, there are hindrances in the functionality of the body.
One of such hindering factors could be that the Executive Members of the YLF are hand picked to coordinate the affairs of the YLF.
This singular action seems to determine the progress or the independence of the YLF with respect of their activities by having total freedom in executing their affairs.
The selection and appointment could also be a barrier because there is a tendency that each selected officer of the YLF in a bid to protect the interest of his or her nominator from the Executive Committee will jeopardise effective execution of the programmes of the YLF and bring conflict of interest amongst the members of the Forum.
The Nigerian Bar Association Ikeja Branch, Minna Branch, Ilorin Branch all conduct elections into office of their YLF and their success stories are in leaps and bounds.
I am sure that replicating such democratic procedure for the representatives of Abuja YLF as well as other Branches of the NBA, including the National NBA YLF will further the aims and Objectives of establishing the YLF.
Although and as perceived by one school of thought that two Chairmen cannot co-exist in a Branch, I believe that situation does not arise herein as long as the YLF still remains under the control and supervision of the Branch.
There is no doubt that the Young Lawyers are the future of the Nigerian Bar Association and therefore everything required to ensure sustainability of the YLF and the Young Lawyers themselves should be paramount.
Such other things may include but not Limited to the standardisation of fees which gladly has been presented to the NBA, Partnership loans amongst Young Lawyers, Collegiate and/or free practice space in big offices, timely approval and execution of impacful programmes of the YLF, etc.
The society is dynamic and law practice ought to be dynamic also. If YLF does not form along the changes in the society, how will the profession by dynamic with respect to its future practitioners.
It is time to reshape, remodel and redefine YLF to help in building capacity for the Young Lawyer. Indeed, there should be a new orientation of involvement of the Young Lawyer in Upnity Bar.
Chidi Udekwe ESQ
