|
|
c/o Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge UK LLP Dashwood House 69 Old Broad Street London EC2M 1QS |
Tel: +44 (0)20 7556 4428 Fax: +44 (0)20 7353 7377 Email: info@bnlf.org |
|
|
c/o Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge UK LLP Dashwood House 69 Old Broad Street London EC2M 1QS |
Tel: +44 (0)20 7556 4428 Fax: +44 (0)20 7353 7377 Email: info@bnlf.org |
| Homepage |
| About BNLF |
| Joining BNLF |
| Events |
| Publications |
| News |
| Links |
| SRA |
| Member News/Press Releases |
| Vacancies |
British Nigeria Law Forum News
=====================================================================================
BNLF delegation at the Nigerian Bar
Association (Section on Business Law), Abuja, 14 - 17 April 2009.
Links to articles and photos.
-
Photos from the BNLF Session at the SBL Conference followed by photos
of guests at the BNLF hosted Reception, April 15, 2009 at Transcorp Hilton,
Abuja
-
Photos of the BNLF visit to the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola
on 14 April 2009
- Article in The Guardian News, 15 April 2009
- Article
in the Nigerian Sun, 15 April 2009
**************************************************************************************************
BNLF hosted a dinneron 15 May 2009 in honour of 10 Lagos State High Court judges, who wherein England on a training visit. Click here to see some photos
**************************************************************************************************
LEGAL PRACTICE IN NIGERIA : A CLOSED SHOP? (HTML), (PDF)
Copies of Presentations made at Closed Shop Workshop, 29 March 2007 at The Law Society, London
- Alison Hook, Head of International, Law Society of England and Wales: An Overview of WTO and it’s relevance to the provision of legal services (PDF 242kb)
- Babatunde Akinyanju, HMCS: Views of the rank and file of legal practioners in Nigeria (PDF 28Kb)
NARM project: British males of African descent role models...
London voluntary organisation BTWSC is working on the NARM role model project,
and researching British male role models of African descent from 1907 to 2007,
in various fields of endeavour - The Sciences, Politics / Legal, Entrepreneurship
/ Business, Faith / Community /Voluntary Sector, Arts / Entertainment / Sports.
The end product will be free resources including a DVD and booklet, plus a
photographic exhibition at Brent Museum in the Summer.
BTWSC decided to work on the NARM project because we were tired of 1) hearing
that there were not enough male role models in the African British community,
and 2) the tendency to confuse positive role models with celebrities.
We believe that there are countless role models in various fields, not just
entertainment and sports, and that many are unsung heroes. For this reason,
we are particularly interested in role models who are engaged with the community.
Nominations are welcome at http://www.btwsc.com/NARM.
Please note that as NARM is a heritage project, the achievement must date
back at least 10 years.
BTWSC
info@btwsc.com
www.btwsc.com
BNLF News/Events Round up (January 2009) from the Vice-Chair
Dear Members and Friends of BNLF,
BNLF News and Events Round-up by BNLF Vice Chair, Babs Akinyanju
LECTURES & SEMINARS
In July 2005, there was a BNLF Workshop, entitled, ‘Succeeding After
QLTT’, which was held at the Law Society in Chancery Lane. Delegates
heard from officers of the Solicitor’s Regulation Authority, advising
on maintaining a legal practice, in compliance with Solicitors’ Rules.
The workshop helped to address some of the difficulties faced by sole practitioners
and lawyers who had qualified through the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test,
QLTT.
In September 2005, His Excellency, Dr Christopher Kolade CON (Nigeria High Commissioner) delivered the 1st BNLF Lecture on ‘Leadership, What Role for Lawyers?’ Chief Bayo Ojo SAN (Hon. Attorney-General of the Federation of Nigeria) gave a response to the keynote address.
In March 2007, a workshop was held, entitled, ‘Legal Practice in Nigeria: A Closed Shop?’ This was in furtherance of the BNLF Campaign, for the recognition of UK qualified Nigerian Lawyers to practise in Nigeria, without having to be subject to the full syllabus, as currently required by the Nigerian Law School. Speakers included Alison Hook, Head of the Law Society International Division and Femi Lijadu, a prominent lawyer, based in Lagos.
On the 8th of October 2008, Rod Sloane, Director of the Solicitors’ Institute & Marketing Consultant, delivered a paper to members entitled ‘Success in Business: Marketing your Law Firm.
The 2nd BNLF Lecture was held on the 7th of November 2008 at the Commonwealth Club, in Northumberland Avenue, London. The guest lecturer was The Honourable Attorney General of Lagos State, Olasupo Shasore SAN. Mr Shasore gave a presentation on Legal Reforms in Lagos State. These included the introduction of a Magistrates’ Courts Bill, updating the IT infrastructure in the court system and setting up Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP) for law firms and other professional partnerships. 7 Justices of the Lagos State High Court, namely, Justices Olateru-Olagbegi, A.A. Phillips, F.O. Atilade, Y.O. Idowu, T.Oyegu-Abdulahi, T.Ojikutu-Oshode and D.O. Oluwayeni, who were in London on a training session, also attended the lecture, which was followed by a dinner at the same venue, in honour of the AG and the Judges.
NETWORKING
Networking meetings are held every 2nd Wednesday of the month. This gives
members the opportunity to meet in an informal and friendly environment and
catch up on each other’s news. Networking meetings are open to non-members
as well. The sessions have been well attended and have proven to be successful
in recruiting new members.
A number of the networking sessions have been themed events. For example, in July 2007, BNLF and Paceworking (a business promotion organisation) held a joint event at Sterling Partnership, Solicitors, in London Bridge, on Business Opportunities in Nigeria.
RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION
BNLF has a collaborative relationship with the NBA. Since the inception of
the NBA (Section on Business Law) Conferences, which commenced in 2006, BNLF
has been involved, with members attending and delivering talks on a range
of topics, from commercial law, litigation, regulatory activities, anti-corruption
and the judiciary. In March 2008, BNLF, and the Law Society led a delegation
of 30 lawyers to the conference in Abuja.
During one of the fringe sessions at the conference Boma Ozobia and Babs Akinyanju shared their experiences of law practice in Nigeria and in England with a number of students from the Nigerian Law School, Abuja.
In April 2007, the BNLF hosted a dinner for the then President of the NBA, Olisa Agbakoba OON, SAN, in London. He shared with members the latest developments on the state of legal education and practice in Nigeria.
The current NBA President, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu SAN is a member of BNLF and he attended a reception held in his honour at the Commonwealth Club in September 2008. The BNLF is recognised by the NBA as the main point of contact for Nigerian lawyers, wishing to transact business in the UK.
SOCIAL EVENTS
It’s not all work and no play! We have lots of fun with our social events.
The 2nd BNLF Black Tie Gala Dinner (sponsored by the 1st Inland Bank of Nigeria)
was held on the 17th of May 2008, at the New Connaught Rooms in Covent Garden.
The Special Guest of Honour was The Honourable Mrs Justice Linda Dobbs DBE,
of the High Court of England and Wales. There was live music from Dele Sosimi
and his band, plus other forms of entertainment, including a fashion show,
comedy act and a DJ. The evening carried on with dancing, well into the early
hours of the next morning.
The BNLF Christmas Party was held on the 12th of December 2008, at the Manjaro Restaurant in Holloway Road. Members and their friends tucked into traditional Nigerian fare, such as Suya and Jollof Rice.
LEGAL SURGERY
This is held every 1st Thursday of the month at the St. Marylebone Church
Hall, Marylebone Road, London NW1, under the auspices of Reverend Ben Enwuchola,
the Anglican Chaplain to the Nigerian Community in the UK. BNLF lawyers give
up to 15 minutes free advice per person, to members of the Nigerian Community,
on any legal matter. The scheme has been in operation since 2005 and is due
for review in January 2009, with a view to introducing Q & A seminars
for members of the public, on topical legal issues.
2009
2009 is likely to be another busy year for BNLF. Elections are due to be held early in the New Year to elect new officers. The networking sessions would continue, as before, at venues to be confirmed to members by email and posted on the website.
In March, there is going to be a joint seminar with the Black Lawyers Directory www.bld.com on career options for and aspiring lawyers.
The 4th Nigerian Bar Association (Section on Business Law) Conference will be held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, from the 14th-17th April 2009. BNLF members will be playing a prominent role, as in previous years.
BNLF Officers would continue contribute to the activities of the Solicitors Regulation Authority Working Group into Ethnic Minority Law Firms and the Law Society BME Forum.
There are going to be a few changes within the committee. In accordance with the constitution all the officers are stepping down, except Babs Akinyanju, who will be taking over as chair. Tim Daniel and Tope Ojikutu have put their names forward for re-election in their current posts.
Oba, Tim, Tope and Remi and Boma should be recognised for all the sacrifice they have put into keeping the organisation on its feet, whilst still maintaining their busy law practices and family life.
I take this opportunity to wish all members Happy New Year and a successful 2009.
Babs Akinyanju, Vice chair
January 2009
LEGAL PRACTICE IN NIGERIA : A CLOSED SHOP?
Against the background of the WTO protocol on liberalisation of trade and services, the BNLF intends to back calls for the reform of rules preventing UK qualified lawyers from practising in Nigeria without first attending law school, beginning with attendance at the NBA conference in Owerri on 15/16th February at which the NBA’s policy on this topic will be formulated.
* IS THIS AN ISSUE WHICH AFFECTS YOU?
* DO YOU WISH TO BE INVOLVED?
* WHAT PRACTICAL HELP CAN YOU GIVE?
* ARE YOU ABLE TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE AT OWERRI?
* ARE YOU ABLE TO SPONSOR A BNLF REPRESENTATIVE TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE?
* ARE YOU IN A POSITION TO SPREAD THE WORD AMONGST OTHER UK BASED LAWYERS?
Please let us know of your views via info@bnlf.org.uk and join the BNLF’s
campaign:
“OPENING THE SHOP DOOR”
BNLF is running a workshop on this subject on Thursday 29TH MARCH,
6.30pm at THE LAW SOCIETY,
113 Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1PL.
Free to 2007 BNLF Members, £7 to non-BNLF Members.
Pre-registration required. Please see events page to download
booking form.
"Business Law Articles" invited from BNLF members for possible publication in NBA Journal (HTML)
We have been asked to confer with you on the topics/ Articles
to be published to enable us meet up with the expected publication date. The
date for submission of articles for publication for the SBL Journal has been
extended to the 22nd of March 2007
We wish to publish articles of practical interest.
Please note that topics/ Articles can also be sourced from business law Associates
of yours as long as the papers have not been published elsewhere or are pending
for publication.
Topics need not be restricted to only Nigerian corporate practice.
We welcome topics on international law as it affects Nigeria and Africa as
a whole
Guidelines for Authors
We welcome contributions of 1000- 3000 words.
The Contributions should be sent to the Editor via email in either word perfect
or Microsoft word to funkeaboyade@hotmail.com and pages should be numbered.
Title and headings should be as short as possible. It is assumed that contributions
are original and are not being submitted for publication elsewhere.
Footnotes should be kept to a minimum and numbered consecutively with Arabic
numerals.
We would appreciate a quick response from you
Thank you,
Eire. Ifueko Alufohai(Mrs.)
Director(Administration)
NBA-Section on business Law
Retraining funds available for refugee academics: Deadline
for applications 5.00pm, Monday 3 July 2006
Click here to dowload PDF flyer for
further details.
Law firm slammed for racism: Employment
Tribunal decision in Osita Mba v. Marshall & Galpin Solicitors. Summary
Document 22nd November 2005. Click
here to download printable version (PDF 30Kb)
Message from Reverend Ben Enwuchola, Nigeria Chaplaincy Centre, 5 December
2005
BNLF AGM and Christmas Dinner 2005: Click here for agenda and click here to view photos from the dinner. Minutes will be posted shortly.
CANUK Launch, Nigerian High Commission, 28 January 2006. Click here to view photos of the event.
BNLF on NIDO (Nigerian Diaspora)
Leadership Forum held at the Nigeria High Commission on 19th November 2005
The BNLF participated in a consultation on the concept and process of corporate
membership of NIDO, a well attended event with representatives from other
professions, the High Commission, the Nigerian Presidency and community leaders
across Europe. The BNLF in its statement at the event welcomed this initiative
by NIDO as a means of fostering closer co-operation between organisations
representing the interests of Nigerians in the Diaspora.
This is because it is the BNLF’s view that it will eventually
benefit our members and the larger Nigerian community both here and at home
if properly prosecuted. There are certainly precedents for this course of
action. One example is the England and Wales Law Society’s group membership
of the International Bar Association.
On the process of corporate membership, the BNLF observed that;
· Rules of engagement should be kept simple.
· The rules and infrastructure designed or to be designed to support
this new structure needs to be clear and sound.
· All members of the various groups must be treated equally e.g. member
discounts should be available to all members.
· Every effort should be made to ensure that there is no duplication
or confusion with the role of CANUK in the United Kingdom and the goals and
objectives which it sets out to achieve.
· Action and effectiveness should not be confused with size.
Boma Ozobia
BNLF
Law firm slammed for racism:
Employment Tribunal decision in Osita Mba v. Marshall & Galpin Solicitors
A leading Thames Valley law firm, Marshall & Galpin solicitors has been
slammed for racism after an employment tribunal decided that it discriminated
against a black lawyer on the ground of his racial or ethnic origin. The tribunal,
in Reading, Berkshire, found in a unanimous decision that the firm racially
discriminated against Mr Osita Mba by failing to interview him for a position
he applied for.
Mr Mba, who represented himself at the tribunal, qualified as a barrister
in Nigeria in 2000 with the best performance at the Nigerian Bar Vocational
examination. He came to England in 2001 and obtained a masters degree from
the University of Oxford in 2002. He qualified as a solicitor in England and
Wales in January this year.
Tribunal Chairman Andrew Hogarth QC explained [Para 22 of judgment at page
10]:
”The Claimant is entitled to compensation for the injury to his feelings.
It appears to us that it is a serious matter to reject a solicitor for employment
on the grounds that he is black African and that if anybody is to comply with
the law relating to race discrimination in this country, it should be Officers
of the Court. As a result it seems to us that this rejection of the claimant
for interview is a matter that should be taken seriously. Solicitors should
not behave in this fashion and we award the claimant the sum of £5,000”
The Tribunal was also very critical of Marshall & Galpin’s blatant
disregard of relevant equal opportunities provisions in their recruitment
process. At paragraph 9 of the judgment the Chairman stated:
The respondents, who apparently have an Employment Law Department, have demonstrated
that they are remarkably backward in their approach to equal opportunities.
Until this application was made to the Employment Tribunal, no member of their
staff appears to have undergone any form of Equal Opportunities Training at
all. No member of staff appears to have been aware of the Code of Practice
issued by the Commission for Racial Equality, no member of staff appears to
have been aware of its recommendations regarding the selection and interview
of candidates for employment and no member of staff appears to have been aware
of the very similar provisions in the Law Society’s Code of Conduct
for solicitors.
Message from Reverend Ben Enwuchola, Nigeria Chaplaincy Centre, 5 December 2005
Dear All
What an impressive turn out and the enthusiasm you demonstrated last week
at the meeting, I was very encouraged. Thank you so much and I will keep you
posted with every development.
For those who unable to join us the outcome of the discussion is- the BNLF
in partnership with the Nigerian Chaplaincy Centre will run a monthly surgery
of free legal advice to the members of the Nigerian Community in London. We
agreed that the surgery will hold on the first Thursday of every month from
6.30 - 8.30pm at the Nigerian Chaplaincy Centre beginning from February 2006.
The first surgery will hold on Thursday, 2nd February at 6.30 -8.30pm. Ms
Boma Ozobia agreed to help draw out a rota for the monthly surgery for all
the BNLF members who volunteered to be involved in the project. I will liaise
with Mr Oba Nsugbe to design a leaflet to publicise this service to the Nigerian
Community. It was also agreed that, at every surgery a maximum of 3 lawyers
will be on duty to provide advice which last for a maximum of 20 mins. There
is a possibility of organising seminars/workshops to address different issues
that will be beneficial to the Nigerian Community in the near future. Details
of this will be discussed at a subsequent meeting.
Please for those were present at the meeting, could you help feed in any missing
gaps! ! !
In addition to the above I will be exploring others ways of publicising this
service to the community.
Thank you once again and trusting that the good Lord will bless all your efforts.
Ben
The Revd Canon Ben Enwuchola
The Nigerian Chaplain Office
