Supreme Court nominee Justice Philip Bright Mensah wants major changes to Ghana's legal education system. He told Parliament's Appointments Committee on Tuesday that universities should train both academic and professional lawyers. The current system forces all law graduates through the Ghana School of Law at Makola for professional training. Justice Mensah called this old model outdated and unable to handle growing numbers of law students. The Appeals Court judge said the bottleneck proves the system fails graduates.
Many universities across Ghana teach LLB programs but only one school provides professional training. Justice Mensah noted that facilities have not grown to match the increase in law graduates nationwide. He suggested giving priority admission to students who have waited longest for law school entry. The nominee called this special treatment an immunity system for graduates facing delays.
Justice Mensah wants the General Legal Council to work with universities and law school leaders on reforms. He believes law faculties could handle professional training with proper oversight and quality checks. The judge argued that decentralizing legal education would give more students access to professional training opportunities.
Many universities across Ghana teach LLB programs but only one school provides professional training. Justice Mensah noted that facilities have not grown to match the increase in law graduates nationwide. He suggested giving priority admission to students who have waited longest for law school entry. The nominee called this special treatment an immunity system for graduates facing delays.
Justice Mensah wants the General Legal Council to work with universities and law school leaders on reforms. He believes law faculties could handle professional training with proper oversight and quality checks. The judge argued that decentralizing legal education would give more students access to professional training opportunities.
