Attorney Admission and the Bar Examination
An individual who would like to practice in Seychelles as an attorney at law may be admitted if he or she meets the requirements laid out in the Legal Practitioner’s Act (LPA). Ordinarily, the first requirement for admission is academic qualification and the second is practical experience.
With regard to the requirement of academic qualification, section 5 of the LPA provides that:
5. (1) A person shall not be admitted as an attorney-at-law-
(a) unless he –
(i) has been called to and stands enrolled or registered at the Bar in a country or jurisdiction designated by the Minister after consultation with the Chief Justice and the Bar Association of Seychelles;
(ii) has been admitted to practice and stands enrolled or registered as an advocate, attorney-at-law or solicitor in a country or jurisdiction designated by the Minister after consultation with the Chief Justice and the Bar Association of Seychelles;
(iii) has been admitted to practice and stands enrolled or registered in a country or jurisdiction designated by the Minister after consultation with the Chief Justice and the Bar Association of Seychelles as a person holding a professional status equivalent to an attorney-at-law in Seychelles;
(iv) holds a degree in law, of a level prescribed by the Minister, awarded by an institution designated by the Minister after consultation with the Chief Justice and the Bar Association of Seychelles and has successfully completed such professional or vocational examination or training as the Minister may, after consultation with the Chief Justice and the Bar Association of Seychelles, by regulations prescribe; or
(v) has passed the admission examination prescribed under section 20;…”
The practical component consists of a two year pupillage with an approved Chambers in terms of the Act.
The examination prescribed under section 20 is known as the Bar Examination and is conducted annually by the Examination Board established under section 20, traditionally in the first two weeks of August.
In terms of the Legal Practitioners (Examination for admission of Attorneys-at-law) Regulations, 2013 the candidates taking the examination must pass all eight examination papers in order to qualify for admission.
Individuals seeking to take the Bar Examination may apply by letter to the Registrar of the Supreme Court enclosing certificates and transcripts to prove that he or she had graduated with a recognised law degree and may sit the examination. Applications close a month before the examinations are held.
Upon satisfactory passing of the examination an individual may begin their two year pupillage period with an Approved Chambers in Seychelles.
Upon completing the two year period the individual may apply by notice of motion and supporting affidavit to be admitted to the Bar.
In order to be admitted, an individual may make application to the Supreme Court supported by an affidavit and supporting documentation proving that the individual meets the requirements for admission. The individual must thereafter apply for a Legal Practitioners’ licence with the Office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court in terms of section 6A of the Act.Please note that there are also other forms of admission in terms of section 5(4), section 12 and authorization in terms of section 13A although these are all restricted with regard to the nature of the advice that may be provided under that licence. Individuals are encouraged to consult the legislation and seek the advice of the Registrar of the Supreme Court.