The Council of Legal Education (Accreditation of Legal Education Institutions) Regulations

The Regulations may be cited as the Council of Legal Education (Accreditation of Legal Education Institutions) Regulations.

AI-assisted research synopsis — verify against the official legal text below.

Jurisdiction: Kenya
Instrument: Notice
Citation: Legal Notice 170 of 2009
Version: Undated source snapshot
Language: en

Source attribution: Source: Kenya Law

Statute overview

About this statute

The Regulations may be cited as the Council of Legal Education (Accreditation of Legal Education Institutions) Regulations. Defines terms used in the Regulations: "accreditation", "legal education", "legal education institution", and "Secretary." Regulations apply to institutions offering legal education; such institutions must apply for accreditation within six months; the Council may stop programmes for non-compliance; contravention of the application requirement is an offence punishable by a KSh 6,000 fine or six months imprisonment or both. The Council may revoke an institution's accreditation if it fails to meet standards; the Council must issue a revocation notice, the institution must respond within three months, the Council may revoke and must publish the revocation, may rescind if compliance is shown, and the institution must meet enforcement costs. The standards that govern how legal education institutions accredited by the Council operate are those set out in the Third Schedule to these Regulations.

Read the provisions Ask with citations

Search within this statute

Search all stored provisions in this version.

Legal text

Provisions of The Council of Legal Education (Accreditation of Legal Education Institutions) Regulations

Showing 24 of 24

Part I

PRELIMINARY

1
PRELIMINARY - 1. Citation

AI-assisted research summary: The Regulations may be cited as the Council of Legal Education (Accreditation of Legal Education Institutions) Regulations.

Section 1. Citation Section These Regulations may be cited as the Council of Legal Education (Accreditation of Legal Education Institutions) Regulations.
2
PRELIMINARY - 2. Interpretation

AI-assisted research summary: Defines terms used in the Regulations: "accreditation", "legal education", "legal education institution", and "Secretary."

Section 2. Interpretation Section In these Regulations unless the context otherwise requires— "accreditation" means the confirmation, evidenced by an evaluation of the institution under regulation 6, that an institution has met the training standards prescribed by the Council; “legal education" means any education or training programme offered by an institution whose object is to impart knowledge or skills in the area of law, or such other educational or institutional training that the Council may declare to be legal education or training; "legal education institution" means any institution or place of learning however established whose. object is to provide legal education or training; "Secretary" means the Secretary to the Council of Legal Education.
3
PRELIMINARY - 3. Application and transition

AI-assisted research summary: Regulations apply to institutions offering legal education; such institutions must apply for accreditation within six months; the Council may stop programmes for non-compliance; contravention of the application requirement is an offence punishable by a KSh 6,000 fine or six months imprisonment or both.

Section 3. Application and transition Section 3(1) These Regulations shall apply to any institution that is authorized under the Act or any other written law to operate an educational institution in Kenya and intends to offer or at the commencement of these Regulations is offering legal education. Section 3(2) Any institution that is offering legal education or training shall, within six months after the commencement of these Regulations, apply to the Council for accreditation. Section 3(3) The Council may by a notice in the Gazette stop the legal education or training programme of a training institution that has not complied with this regulation. Section 3(4) Any person who contravenes the provisions of paragraph (2) commits an offence and shall be liable to a fine of six thousand shillings or imprisonment for a term of six months or both.

Part II

ACCREDITATION PROCESS

10
ACCREDITATION PROCESS - 10. Revocation of accreditation

AI-assisted research summary: The Council may revoke an institution's accreditation if it fails to meet standards; the Council must issue a revocation notice, the institution must respond within three months, the Council may revoke and must publish the revocation, may rescind if compliance is shown, and the institution must meet enforcement costs.

Section 10. Revocation of accreditation Section 10(1) Where the Council determines that a legal education institution issued with a certificate of accreditation has failed to maintain or comply with the standards set out in these Regulations, it shall issue a notice of revocation of accreditation to that institution requiring it to show cause why the certificate of accreditation should not be revoked. Section 10(2) An institution issued with a notice under paragraph (1), shall within three months provide the Council with necessary information regarding the issues raised in the notice of revocation. Section 10(3) Where the information provided under paragraph (2) is reviewed and found to be inadequate in responding to the issues raised in the notice of revocation, the Council shall revoke the certificate of accreditation issued to the institution. Section 10(4) Where the Council revokes a certificate of accreditation of an institution, it shall publish a notice of revocation in the Gazette . Section 10(5) The Council may rescind the notice of revocation if it is satisfied that the institution has put in place necessary measures to comply with these Regulations. Section 10(6) The institution shall meet the Council's reasonable administrative cost and other expenses incurred in the enforcement of this regulation.
11
ACCREDITATION PROCESS - 11. Operation standards

AI-assisted research summary: The standards that govern how legal education institutions accredited by the Council operate are those set out in the Third Schedule to these Regulations.

Section 11. Operation standards Section The standards governing the operation of legal education institutions accredited by the Council shall be as set out in the Third Schedule to these Regulations.
12
ACCREDITATION PROCESS - 12. Maintenance of standards

AI-assisted research summary: Maintain the standards set out in the Third Schedule.

Section 12. Maintenance of standards Section maintain the standards set out in the Third Schedule;
13
ACCREDITATION PROCESS - 13. Institutional reports

AI-assisted research summary: The Council must evaluate reports received under paragraph (1) and make recommendations to improve training standards and legal education programmes.

Section 13. Institutional reports Section 13(1)(a) an annual report of its activities in each year of operation; Section 13(1)(b) an annual report of the resources set aside for the legal training and the maintenance of the legal library services; and Section 13(1)(c) a detailed report after every five years for a degree level and after every four years for other training programmes, indicating the progress made in the maintenance of standards and institution's objects with regard to the legal education. Section 13(2) The Council shall evaluate the reports received under paragraph (1) and make recommendations for the purpose of improving the training standards of the institution or the legal education programmes of the institution.
14
ACCREDITATION PROCESS - 14. Renewal of accreditation

AI-assisted research summary: Institutions must apply to the Council for renewal of accreditation using Form CLE No. 1; the Council must renew an institution's accreditation for five years if satisfied from reports that standards have been maintained.

Section 14. Renewal of accreditation Section 14(1) An institution shall make an application for renewal of accreditation to the Council, in Form CLE No. 1 set out in the First Schedule. Section 14(2) Where the Council is satisfied on the basis of the information supplied in the reports that a legal education institution has maintained standards set out in these Regulations, it shall renew the certificate of accreditation of that legal education institution for a further period of five years.
15
ACCREDITATION PROCESS - 15. Re-inspections

AI-assisted research summary: The Council may carry out impromptu visits to accredited legal education institutions; if it carries out such a visit it must prepare a report and submit it to the institution; and if the Council determines standards are not being maintained it must revoke the accreditation certificate.

Section 15. Re-inspections Section 15(1) The Council may on its own initiative, on request of the institution or the public, conduct an impromptu visit to a legal education institution accredited under these Regulations. Section 15(2) Where an impromptu visit is carried out by the Council, it shall prepare a report of its findings and submit them to the institution with its comments and recommendations. Section 15(3) Where the Council determines that an institution is not maintaining the standards set out under these Regulations, it shall revoke the certificate of accreditation.
16
ACCREDITATION PROCESS - 16. Discontinuation

AI-assisted research summary: The Council must issue and publish orders discontinuing a legal education institution's accredited programme in specified circumstances; it may also publish the order in local media.

Section 16. Discontinuation Section 16(1)(a) the legal education institution has requested to discontinue offering the accredited programme; Section 16(1)(b) the Council discovers that the legal education institution is no longer interested in offering legal education; Section 16(1)(c) the legal education institution has been served with a revocation order under regulation 11; or Section 16(1)(d) the legal education institution is not accredited by the Council. Section 16(2) The Council shall, under it's seal, issue an order of discontinuation to a legal education institution in Form CLE No. 3 set out in the First Schedule. Section 16(3) The Council shall publish in the Gazette the order of discontinuation issued under paragraph (2), and may also publish the order of discontinuation in the local media.
17
ACCREDITATION PROCESS - 17. Discontinuation plan

AI-assisted research summary: Discontinuation plan

Section 17. Discontinuation plan Section 17(1) Where the Council has issued an order of discontinuation to a legal education institution, the institution shall within two months submit for the Council's approval, a discontinuation plan which shall among other things state unequivocally the date on which the legal education or training shall be stopped. Section 17(2) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), a closure plan shall ensure that, the discontinuation of a legal education programme shall become effective at the end of the academic year in which the order of discontinuation is issued. Section 17(3)(a) not admit new students to any of its legal programmes; and Section 17(3)(b) assist its students to transfer to other accredited institutions to complete their legal education programmes. Section 17(4)(a) continue to follow the course programmes approved by the Council or in the mode existing before the order of discontinuation; Section 17(4)(b) maintain the library and other physical facilities required under these Regulations; and Section 17(4)(c) maintain adequate faculty staff qualified to manage the course programme. Section 17(5) A legal institution shall not enter into a teach-out agreement with an institution that is not accredited under these Regulations.
4
ACCREDITATION PROCESS - 4. Application procedure

AI-assisted research summary: Institutions that wish to be accredited must apply to the Council using Form CLE No. 1, pay the prescribed fees, submit required documents; the Council must acknowledge and decide within one month, and may grant provisional accreditation for up to one year for existing programmes.

Section 4. Application procedure Section 4(1) Any institution that, at the commencement of these Regulations, wishes to be accredited under these Regulations shall apply to the Council for accreditation. Section 4(2) An application under paragraph (1), shall be made in Form CLE No. 1 set out in the First Schedule and the applicant shall pay the fees set out in the Fourth Schedule. Section 4(3) An application for accreditation under paragraph (2), shall be accompanied by proof of payment of the prescribed fees, the proposed legal education programme, the course that the institution intends to offer or is offering and course curriculum. Section 4(4) The Council shall within one month of the receipt of the application for accreditation acknowledge receipt, consider the application and communicate the outcome of the application to the applicant. Section 4(5) Where an application for accreditation to the Council is in respect of an existing programme, the Council may grant provisional accreditation under regulation 8, for a period not exceeding one year pending the evaluation of the programme and inspection of the institution.
5
ACCREDITATION PROCESS - 5. Evaluation of programme

AI-assisted research summary: The Council must evaluate submitted programmes and make recommendations within sixty days of acknowledgement; it may hire independent evaluators and may evaluate programmes undergoing other accreditation (without waiving its mandate); conflicted Council members must not participate in evaluations or inspections.

Section 5. Evaluation of programme Section 5(1) The Council shall, within sixty days from the date of acknowledgement of an application, evaluate the programme submitted and make recommendations. Section 5(2) The Council may engage the services of an independent evaluator to undertake any aspect of the evaluation process on it's behalf. Section 5(3) The Council may evaluate a programme of an institution undergoing another accreditation process under any other written law, for the purposes of assisting in the said accreditation process: Provided that such evaluation shall not constitute a waiver of the Council's mandate under these Regulations. Section 5(4) A member of the Council, who is a dean of a faculty, a regular member of staff of a faculty or is in any way connected to or interested in the affairs of an institution that is the subject of the accreditation, shall not participate in the evaluation of that institution's programme or inspection of it's facilities.
6
ACCREDITATION PROCESS - 6. Rejection and re-evaluation of an application

AI-assisted research summary: The Council may reject an application or ask for more information; an applicant whose application was rejected may re-submit within three months; if not re-submitted within six months the application lapses.

Section 6. Rejection and re-evaluation of an application Section 6(1) Where the information provided by an applicant is not sufficient or the applicant has not complied with the requirements set out in the Third Schedule, the Council may reject the application or request for more information. Section 6(2) An applicant whose application has been rejected under paragraph (1), may within three months of such rejection re-submit the application providing the required information for re-evaluation by the Council. Section 6(3) Where the rejected application is not re-submitted within six months, the application shall lapse.
7
ACCREDITATION PROCESS - 7. Inspection

AI-assisted research summary: The Council must inspect an institution's physical and infrastructural facilities to confirm they are suitable for the legal education or training programme applied for.

Section 7. Inspection Section The Council shall inspect the physical and other infrastructural facilities of an institution offering or intending to offer legal education or training to verify it's suitability for the training of the programme applied for.
8
ACCREDITATION PROCESS - 8. Certificate of accreditation

AI-assisted research summary: The Council must award accreditation certificates to institutions that comply with the Regulations; it may issue provisional certificates up to one year; accredited institutions may advertise, admit students and commence programmes; accreditation is generally valid for five years unless revoked.

Section 8. Certificate of accreditation Section 8(1) The Council shall, under it's seal, award a certificate of accreditation to an institution that has complied with the provisions of these Regulations. Section 8(2) The certificate of accreditation under paragraph (1) shall be in Form CLE No. 2 set out in the First Schedule to these Regulations. Section 8(3) The Council may issue a provisional accreditation certificate for a period not exceeding one year to an existing institution that has complied with the provisions of regulation 4. Section 8(4) Subject to regulation 12 or any other written law, an institution which has been issued with a certificate of accreditation by the Council under paragraph (1), may advertise the approved course programme, admit students and commence the approved training or legal education programme. Section 8(5) The certificate of accreditation issued under paragraph (1), shall, unless revoked under regulation 10, be valid for a period of five years.
9
ACCREDITATION PROCESS - 9. Publication

AI-assisted research summary: The Council must publish accreditation notices in the Gazette and keep its register and website updated.

Section 9. Publication Section 9(1) The Council shall within one month of issuing a certificate of accreditation to an institution publish a notice of the grant in the Gazette . Section 9(2) The Council shall from time to time and in any case not more than a period of three consecutive years, publish the particulars of the institutions that have been granted a Certificate of Accreditation in the Gazette . Section 9(3) The Council shall maintain and regularly update particulars of the accredited institutions on its register and official website.

Part III

LEGAL EDUCATION TRAINING

18
LEGAL EDUCATION TRAINING - 18. Eligibility for admission

AI-assisted research summary: A student is not eligible for admission to a legal education training programme under these Regulations unless they have attained the required minimum qualifications in the Second Schedule.

Section 18. Eligibility for admission Section A student shall not be eligible for admission to a legal education training programme under these Regulations, unless that student has attained the required minimum qualifications set out in the Second Schedule.
19
LEGAL EDUCATION TRAINING - 19. Recognition, equation of foreign qualifications and equivalence

AI-assisted research summary: The Council may recognize foreign legal-education awards if the foreign institution is recognized by the Commission for Higher Education or another competent authority; the Council must equate every foreign qualification against its standards and may make recommendations as necessary.

Section 19. Recognition, equation of foreign qualifications and equivalence Section 19(1) The Council may recognize academic awards, in legal education, of foreign institutions that are recognized by the Commission for Higher Education or any other authority with the mandate under any written law to recognize foreign qualifications. Section 19(2) Notwithstanding the generality of paragraph (1), the Council shall equate everyqualification from a foreign institution against its standards and make such recommendations as it may consider necessary.

Part IV

APPEALS AND AD HOC COMMITTEE

20
APPEALS AND AD HOC COMMITTEE - 20. Grounds for appeal

AI-assisted research summary: Provides a right for an aggrieved person to appeal to the Cabinet Secretary in writing within 30 days; requires the applicant to state grievances; requires the Committee to determine the appeal within three months of appointment.

Section 20. Grounds for appeal Section 20(1) Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Council may appeal in writing to the Cabinet Secretary through the Secretary within thirty days from the date of the Council's decision. Section 20(2) The applicant shall set out the grievance or issues to be determined by the Committee. Section 20(3) The Committee shall determine the Appeal within three months from the date of its appointment.
21
APPEALS AND AD HOC COMMITTEE - 21. Establishment ofad hoccommittee

AI-assisted research summary: Section 21 establishes an ad hoc committee, lists its membership (Chairman eligible to be a High Court Judge; one Senior Counsel; one Ministry representative for legal education; one private sector non-legal practitioner; and a Secretary ex-officio), gives the Committee the power to hear and determine accreditation appeals, requires appointed persons to hold office for the committee's duration as specified in the instrument of appointment, and requires the Committee to make its own rules of procedure.

Section 21. Establishment ofad hoccommittee Section 21(1)(a) the Chairman, who shall be a person who is or is eligible to be appointed a Judge of the High Court of Kenya; Section 21(1)(b) one person who is or is eligible to be appointed as Senior Counsel; Section 21(1)(c) one person representing the Ministry for the time being responsible for legal education; Section 21(1)(d) one person from the private sector who is not a legal practitioner; and Section 21(1)(e) a Secretary, who shall be an ex-officio member. Section 21(2) The Committee shall hear and determine appeals made by any person aggrieved by the decision of the Council on accreditation of legal education institution. Section 21(3) The persons appointed under paragraph (1), shall hold office for the duration of the committee as shall be specified in the instrument of appointment. Section 21(4) The Committee shall make its own rules of procedure.

Part V

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISION

22
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISION - 22. Establishment of committees

AI-assisted research summary: The Council may establish committees as it considers necessary to perform any of its functions under these Regulations.

Section 22. Establishment of committees Section 22(1) The Council may establish such committees as it considers necessary for undertaking any of its functions under these Regulations. Section 22(2)(a) inspect institutions; and Section 22(2)(b) determine the persons eligible for admission to the Bar.
23
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISION - 23. Fees and charges

AI-assisted research summary: Fees listed in the Fourth Schedule must be paid for the matters shown in the matching entry; fees once paid are not refundable.

Section 23. Fees and charges Section 23(1) The fees specified in the Fourth Schedule shall be paid in respect of the matters specified in the corresponding entry. Section 23(2) Fees once paid shall not be refunded.
24
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISION - 24. Offences and penalties

AI-assisted research summary: Any person who contravenes any provision of these Regulations commits an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding six thousand shillings or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or both.

Section 24. Offences and penalties Section Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of these Regulations commits an offence and shall be liable to a fine not exceeding six thousand shillings or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or both.

Provision text is displayed from LexChat’s stored statute record. Use the official source links to verify amendments, commencement, and current legal force.

About this LexChat collection

Publisher and coverage

LexChat is published by Esheria. Coverage reflects the legislation currently mapped from identified source collections; it may be incomplete, delayed, or later corrected. The official source controls where it differs from this research page.

AI and research method

AI-generated material is explicitly labelled and published only through LexChat's quality controls. It is a research aid, not the source document.

Corrections and reporting

Report a source mismatch, factual issue, personal-data concern, or licensing question to support@esheria.co.ke. Include this page's URL and the supporting official source so the record can be reviewed, corrected, restricted, or withdrawn.

Legal-information disclaimer

LexChat provides legal information and research tools, not legal advice. Verify currency, status, citations, and jurisdiction with authoritative sources and a qualified professional where appropriate.