Judiciary unveils mentorship program for advocates

Nairobi, Tuesday, April 18, 2023

K.N.A By Elizabeth Mugo

The Judiciary in collaboration with the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) have launched a Young Advocates mentorship program.

The Pilot program is set to run for one year, during which period assessment will be conducted and necessary changes made to ensure effectiveness of the program.  

The mentees under the program will pay an honorarium of Ksh 30,000 per one brief.

Speaking in Nairobi during the launch on Monday, Chief Justice (CJ) Martha Koome stated that mentorship will cascade to the level of skill young advocates require.

Koome established that the program will contain two components.

She noted that in the first component the structure shall be designed and executed by the judiciary and the LSK.

She added that during this component, young advocates shall practice pro bono work through a pro bono legal age scheme.

The second component shall address the skills and knowledge gap of the young lawyers.

“We will be relying on senior counsel to mentor young lawyers,” said Koome.

The CJ ascertained that through mentorship, young advocates will gain experience, be able to represent clients and learn how to be efficient in their practice.

She urged legal stakeholders to support the initiative in nurturing the next generation of legal practitioners.

“Investment in our future is a testament of our commitment to social justice,” said Koome.

The president of the Law Society of Kenya, Eric Theuri highlighted the challenges young lawyers face as, competition for jobs and poor pay.

He called on judiciary to have a wholehearted devotion and commitment towards upgrading the skills of young legal practitioners.

“The efficiency of the judiciary largely depends on the bar,” stated Theuri.

Theuri cautioned young advocates to keep up with the changing tides of globalization noting that with advancement of technology, young lawyers are at a cutting edge when they harness technology.

Echoing the CJ’s comments, senior Council Philip Murgor said that young lawyers need both mentorship and jobs.

Murgor noted that mentoring young advocates through pupilage is difficult due to the large masses graduating.

“Our job as professionals is to pass over our best to the next generation. It is time to look at other methods of mentorship, “said Murgor

Courtesy K.N.A