The University of Malawi (UNIMA) Students Law Society (SLS) took steps on Monday to urge the government to promptly revise the Legal Education and Legal Practitioner’s Act in order to rectify existing inconsistencies. As per one of the SLS members, Khama Maere, they held discussions with Minister of Justice Titus Mvalo and Attorney General (AG) Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda concerning the issues of fairness and efficiency in legal education and legal practice.
Frank Namangale, the Ministry of Justice’s public relations officer, confirmed during an interview on Tuesday that the meeting occurred at Capital Hill in Lilongwe. He mentioned that both the minister and the AG have acknowledged the concerns and committed to advocating for the amendment of the Act.
He said: “The SLS team requested government to pass the amended Act in the November sitting of Parliament this year.”
Professor Garton Kamchedzera, who serves as the patron of the SLS team, led the delegation.
Namangale noted that the law students identified certain irregularities within the Act. For instance, they pointed out that the Act combines both the supervisory and oversight roles of the Council for the Malawi Institute of Legal Education with the actual provision of legal education.
Mvalo expressed his appreciation for the students’ discussion, which he described as constructive and forthright. As a legal professional himself, he emphasized his belief in maintaining high legal standards and upholding excellence in legal practice.
