The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) is an organization mandated to advise and assist members of the legal profession, the government and the larger public in all matters relating to the administration of justice in Kenya.
It was established by an Act of Parliament – The Law Society of Kenya Act (Chapter 18 of the Laws of Kenya). The current LSK Act, came into effect in 1992. The LSK has over 22,000 practicing advocates in its membership.
LSK Membership The Law Society of Kenya membership consists of all practicing advocates in Kenya, numbering over twenty-two thousand. By law, one must be a member of the Law Society of Kenya in order to practice as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya.
The Law Society of Kenya also has special and honorary membership. Special membership is conferred upon application to persons who possess the requisite legal qualifications. Honorary membership is conferred by the Council on any person whom it may think fit so to honor. Honorary membership may be conferred for life or for such period as the Council may in any case deem appropriate
The Law Society of Kenya and its members are also members of the East Africa Law Society, the African Bar Association, the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, the Criminal Bar Association, and the International Bar Association.
Who can be a member of the Law Society of Kenya 1. Any advocate who is a member of the society by virtue of section 28 of the Advocates act.
2. Any person admitted to membership of the society under section 6 of the Law Society of Kenya Act.
3. Any person elected as an honorary member of the society under section 7 of the Law Society of Kenya Act.
4. Any person who may have at any time previously been a member of the society and who complies with the regulations of the society for the time being in force.
5. Any of the following persons who applies for membership of the society in the prescribed manner may be admitted as a member of the society by the council:
Any person mentioned in section 9 of the Advocates Act. Any other legally qualified person for the time being resident in Kenya.
6. Provided that no person who has been expelled from membership of the Society shall thereafter be admitted as a member thereof under this section without the authority of a special resolution.
7. The council may elect as an honorary member of the society any person whom it may think fit so to honor, either for life or for such a period as the council may in any case deem appropriate. Subject to the provision of the sections 27 and 28 of the Advocates Act, every member of the society shall pay the society such annual subscription as may be prescribed from time to time.
Benefits of LSK membership
Information The LSK acts as an information channel keeping members and the wider profession informed of legal developments of interest via its networks.
Networking The LSK provides opportunities for members to establish professional connections with legal practitioners in Kenya. Members can participate in committees, present topics at Law Society of Kenya conferences and seminars, and attend networking events organized by the Society.
Learning and Training Each year some CPD events are staged around Kenya, from specialist events that address numerous areas of practice. Expert practitioners and leading representatives from government and regulatory bodies present extensive programes – where participants can get actively involved in discussion and debate.
LSK Blacklist On 16 January 2012 the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) identified several public officials have been mentioned adversely in various reports on issues ranging from corruption to economic crimes. The LSK advised voters not to vote those mentioned in the report as they had previously compromised. The report was titled Realizing Integrity Law: Walking the Talk
Chairpersons/Presidents Below is a list of Chairpersons of the LSK: Humphrey Slade - 1949-1950 N.S. Mangat, Q.C. - 1950-1951 L. Kaplan - 1951-1952 J. Sorabjee, Q.C. - 1952-1953 C.F. Schermburucker - 1953-1954 J.M. Nzareth, Q.C. - 1954-1955 Ivor Lean, Q.C. - 1955-1956 Justice Madan, Q.C. - 1956-1957 J.A. Mackie-Robertson, Q.C. - 1957-1958 Justice Chanan Singh - 1958-1959 J.O. O’Brien Kelly - 1959-1960 Justice Madan - 1960-1961 A.E. Hunter 1961-1962 Satish Gautama 1962-1963 Justice Harris 1963-1964 B.T. Modi 1964-1965 S.M.C. Thomson 1965-1966 G.S. Sandhu 1966-1967 K.B. Keith 1967-1968 E.P. Nowrojee 1968-1969 P. Le Pelley 1969-1970 S.N. Waruhiu 1970-1972 M.Z.A. Malik 1972-1973 J.A. Couldrey 1973-1974 Ramnik Shah 1974-1975 S. Sangale 1975-1976 P.J. Ransley 1976-1977 K.C. Gautama 1977-1979 S. Amos Wako 1979-1981 Lee Muthoga 1981-1982 Mutula Kilonzo 1982-1984 G.B.M. Kariuki 1984-1986 Joe Okwach 1986-1988 Fred Ojiambo 1988-1990 Paul Muite 1991-1993 F.W. Kagwe (Ag) 1992-1993 Willy Mutunga 1993-1995 Paul Wamae 1995-1997 Nzamba Kitonga 1997-1999 Gibson Kamau Kuria 1999-2001 Raychelle Omamo 2001-2003 Ahmednasir M Abdullahi 2003-2005 Tom Adhiambo Ojienda 2005-2007 Okong'o Omogeni 2007-2010 Kenneth W. Akide 2010-2012 Eric Kyalo Mutua 2012-2016 Isaac E.N Okero 2016-2018 Allen Waiyaki Gichuhi 2018-2020 Nelson Havi - 2020 - 2021 Eric Theuri - 2022 - 2024 Faith Odhiambo - 2024-2026 Charles Kanjama - 2026-2028
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