Nigerian Law School Bar Final Examinations: How to Prepare and Pass

The Nigerian Law School, under the Council of Legal Education, conducts the Bar Final Examinations. This is the only path to becoming a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Every law graduate from an accredited university must attend the Law School and pass this exam.

The programme lasts one academic session. It is divided into two semesters. Courses include civil litigation, criminal litigation, corporate law and practice, property law and practice, and professional ethics. These are practical courses, not theoretical. You will draft court processes, write legal opinions, and conduct mock trials.

The Bar Final exam is written at the end of the second semester. It consists of multiple-choice questions and essay papers. The exams are strict. Cheating is severely penalised. Attendance in lectures and participation in court attachments are compulsory. If you miss a certain percentage of classes, you will be barred from the exam.

Preparation must be consistent from day one. Buy the Law School textbooks and the compendium of past questions. Read the Rules of Professional Conduct. Practice drafting writs, pleadings, and briefs. Join a study group. Discuss past questions and exchange drafts. During the exam, read the instructions carefully. Time management is everything. Allocate minutes per question and stick to it.

A pass in all courses qualifies you for the Call to Bar ceremony. This is where you receive your certificate and are enrolled as a legal practitioner. It is a proud moment. The Bar Final is difficult, but tens of thousands have passed it. So can you.