About the Committee

A statutory body established under the Legal Education Act, 2026 (Act 1170) to safeguard the standards of admission to the Bar of Ghana.

Section 65

Establishment

The National Bar Examination Committee is established by the Legal Education Act, 2026. It operates within the framework of the Council for Legal Education and the Chief Justice appoints its chairperson.

The chairperson is a member of the Committee who has been a law lecturer for a period of not less than ten years, appointed by the Chief Justice. The provisions on disclosure of interest and allowances (sections 8 and 10) apply to every member of the Committee.

At a glance

Legal basis
Act 1170, s.65
Members
11 nominated
Chairperson
Appointed by Chief Justice
Term of office
4 years
Quorum
6 members
Section 65 (1)

Composition

The Committee comprises members drawn from the bench, the Bar, and the academy.

2

Members of the Board

Two members of the Board of the Council for Legal Education, nominated by the Board.

3

Judges

Three judges, with an academic background, nominated by the Chief Justice.

3

Members of the Bar

Three members of the Bar in good standing, with an academic background, nominated by the Bar.

3

Members of Academia

Three members of academia, nominated by the Conference of Law Deans.

Section 66

Functions of the Committee

The National Bar Examination Committee shall:

  1. (a)

    conduct assessments of students who have undertaken Law Practice Training and are eligible to sit the National Bar Examination for purposes of enrolment on the Roll of Lawyers;

  2. (b)

    assign responsibility for invigilating and marking the National Bar Examination;

  3. (c)

    ensure the provision of maximum security for examination scripts and answer scripts;

  4. (d)

    handle appeals from students against examination results and other matters relating to the assessment of students;

  5. (e)

    conduct the moderation or equivalent reviews of results for the National Bar Examination, test and assessment marks;

  6. (f)

    discipline students for examination misconduct;

  7. (g)

    formulate policies regarding the re-sitting of the National Bar Examination;

  8. (h)

    issue qualifying certificates to students who have passed the National Bar Examination; and

  9. (i)

    review examination-related policies and procedures at least once a year.

Section 67

Tenure of Office

  • ◆A member holds office for a period of four years and is eligible for reappointment for another term only.
  • ◆A member may resign by letter addressed to the Chief Justice.
  • ◆The Chief Justice may revoke an appointment, and fills any vacancy for the unexpired term.
Section 68

Meetings

  • ◆The Committee meets at least once each quarter for the conduct of business.
  • ◆The quorum at a meeting is six members.
  • ◆Matters are decided by a majority of members present and voting; the person presiding has a casting vote.
  • ◆The Committee may co-opt a person, who may not vote on a matter for decision.

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See who may sit, the areas of law examined, and the standards applied.

The Bar Examination