The Kenya School of Law (Amendment) Bill, 2023
Status Timeline
Proposed
Active now
Public Review
Pending
Debate
Pending
Executive
Pending
Final
Pending
New Pathways for Diploma in Law Holders
The Bill introduces a new paragraph (1A) to the Second Schedule of the Kenya School of Law Act, 2012. This provision ensures that candidates who do not possess the standard high school grades required for direct university admission can still qualify for professional legal training by progressing through a diploma route.
Specific Entry Progression Criteria
To qualify for admission to the Advocates Training Programme under the amendment, a person must meet three conditions:
- Attained the minimum entry requirement for a diploma in law;
- Obtained a diploma in law from a recognized university, college, or institution in Kenya; and
- Passed the relevant examinations of a recognized institution and graduated with or became eligible for a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree.
Bill No.
No. 63 of 2023
Gazette No.
Supplement No. 187
Sponsor
Jane Njeri Maina
Background
The Kenya School of Law Act, 2012 regulates admission to the Advocates Training Programme (ATP), which is a prerequisite for licensing and practice as an advocate in Kenya. Under the existing framework in the Second Schedule, candidates who entered undergraduate LLB programs via academic progression from a diploma—but lacked the initial high school grades required for direct university entry—face exclusion from the ATP.
Key Amendments
The Bill amends the Second Schedule of the Kenya School of Law Act, 2012 by inserting a new paragraph (1A) immediately after paragraph 1.
This new paragraph provides an alternative eligibility pathway for the Advocates Training Programme. Specifically, it enables individuals who do not meet standard entry requirements under paragraph (1) to be admitted if they:
- Attained a minimum entry requirement for a diploma in law;
- Obtained a diploma in law from a university, university college, or other recognized institution in Kenya; and
- Subsequently passed the required examinations of a recognized university and hold, or are eligible for the conferment of, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree.
New Obligations
The amendment obligates the Kenya School of Law to admit students who meet these alternative progression criteria, thereby formalizing the academic pathway from a diploma in law to professional legal qualification.
No updates tracked yet
Updates will be visible here once they are approved and applied to this bill.