About
Bodies and committees
Three bodies operate within or alongside the Council to deliver its mandate under the Legal Education Act, 2026.
Ghana School of Law
Established as a directorate of the Council under section 77. The School administers the Post-Call Law Course, offers courses preparing candidates for the National Bar Examination, and develops specialised programmes aligned with contemporary legal practice.
Functions
- Administer the Post-Call Law Course.
- Offer courses for National Bar Examination preparation and re-sits.
- Design, develop, and offer specialised programmes aligned with contemporary legal education needs.
- Collaborate with local and international legal education institutions and professional bodies.
Act 1170 · s.77-78
A directorate, not a separate body
The Ghana School of Law is a directorate of the Council rather than an independent institution. It continues to publish its own admissions and programme information.
National Bar Examination Committee
Established under section 65 to conduct and administer the National Bar Examination, the final assessment before enrolment on the Roll of Lawyers.
Functions
- Conduct assessments of students eligible to sit the National Bar Examination.
- Assign responsibility for invigilating and marking the examination.
- Ensure maximum security for examination scripts and answer scripts.
- Handle appeals from students against examination results.
- Conduct moderation or equivalent reviews of results.
- Discipline students for examination misconduct.
- Formulate policies on the re-sitting of the examination.
- Issue qualifying certificates to students who pass the examination.
- Review examination policies and procedures at least once a year.
Act 1170 · s.65-68
Composition
| Two members | Members of the Board.Nominated by The Board |
|---|---|
| Three members | Judges with an academic background.Nominated by Chief Justice |
| Three members | Members of the Bar in good standing with an academic background.Nominated by The Bar |
| Three members | Members of academia.Nominated by Conference of Law Deans |
Chairperson
The Chief Justice appoints as chairperson a member of the Committee who has been a law lecturer for not less than ten years.
Act 1170 · s.65(2)
Tenure
Members hold office for four years and are eligible for re-appointment for one further term only.
Act 1170 · s.67
Meetings
The Committee meets at least once each quarter. Extraordinary meetings may be convened by the chairperson on the written request of not less than one-third of the membership.
Act 1170 · s.68(1)-(2)
Quorum
The quorum for a meeting of the Committee is six members.
Act 1170 · s.68(3)
Legal Education Appeals Tribunal
Constituted under section 79 on an ad hoc basis to hear appeals against decisions of the Council on accreditation licences. Further appeal lies to the High Court on a point of law.
Composition
| Chairperson | Not less than ten years' experience in legal education.Nominated by The Board |
|---|---|
| Four members | Each with not less than five years' experience in legal education.Nominated by The Board |
Act 1170 · s.80
What may be appealed
An institution aggrieved by a decision of the Council may appeal within twenty-one days of the date of the decision.
- The grant or refusal of an accreditation licence.
- The terms and conditions attached to an accreditation licence.
- The suspension of an accreditation licence.
- The revocation of an accreditation licence.
Act 1170 · s.36, s.84
How an appeal proceeds
Lodge a notice of appeal
An aggrieved institution files a written notice within twenty-one days of the decision, specifying the decision, the provisions under which it was made, and the grounds of appeal.
Act 1170 · s.84
The Tribunal is convened
The Tribunal convenes to hear the appeal within thirty days after receipt of the notice of appeal.
Act 1170 · s.84(3)
Hearing
The Tribunal hears the appeal under rules of procedure drafted by the Board, approved by a panel of the Tribunal, and published in the Gazette and on this website.
Act 1170 · s.83
Decision
The Tribunal may overturn the decision, partially allow the appeal and modify the decision on appropriate conditions, or dismiss the appeal and uphold the decision of the Council.
Act 1170 · s.85
Further appeal
A party dissatisfied with the decision of the Tribunal may appeal to the High Court on a point of law only, within thirty days of the decision.
Act 1170 · s.86
Registrar
The Board appoints a Registrar to manage the administrative affairs of the Tribunal, and the staff needed for its operation.
Act 1170 · s.81
Expenses
The expenses of the Tribunal are a charge on the funds of the Council.
Act 1170 · s.82
Rules of procedure
The Board must draft and publish rules of procedure within ninety days of constitution, in the Gazette and on this website. They are approved by a panel of the Tribunal.
Act 1170 · s.83
Further appeal
A party dissatisfied with the decision of the Tribunal may appeal to the High Court on a point of law only, within thirty days after the decision.