Hello, to those currently at the Nigerian Law School, I
am sharing with you my experience during the NLS two months
externship and how you can make excellent use of the opportunity to
gain practical knowledge for your Bar Examinations and in the long
run your legal career.
The Externship programme is a part of the Nigerian Law School
curriculum to add practical experience to what is taught within the
four walls of your NLS classroom. The programme is divided into two
invaluable learning experiences to wit; the court room externship,
which comes first followed immediately by the chamber/law firm
externship. At the end of this programme, NLS students are made to
undergo a portfolio assessment to examine them on what they have
learnt during the programme. This is also a prerequisite for being
called to the Nigerian Bar.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
I believe the under listed steps have been taken and you’ve all
received your placements:
- Fill the placement forms for both court and chamber
attachments. N.B: The system of choosing your preferred local
government and state is intentionally made flexible for your
convenience. - Submit the forms
- Get your placement notifications from NLS
- Complaints? inform your NLS campus Externship coordinator or
Group mentor, as the case may be based on the information
given by your campus coordinator or Directors. - Listen to the instructions given and obey. (Many, but
important, especially to avoid hiccups during your portfolio
assessment). For example – Making copies of work done during the
programme;-Submitting a signed and up-to-date log book;-Filled
assessment form accompanied by a letter & a copy of your
attendance list to be in a sealed envelope from your chamber.
Confirm if a court assessment is also required. - Avoid rumors(listening to and spreading rumors). Get your
instructions directly from the authorities which will be
communicated to your various group heads or the Chairman Students
Representative Council, as the case may be.
MYTHS ABOUT NLS EXTERNSHIP PLACEMENTS
Below, are some stories you hear about the Externship
placements. Though not myths in all cases but in most cases. My
colleagues may have shared some of these with you, bear in mind
that this is subjective and wisdom is profitable to direct.
- I have to get into one of these top chambers, so that I
can be retained after law school. True, but not everytime. If this
is your reason for going to that top chamber, why not have a
better perspective like learning the work culture of this firm that
makes them top, gaining relevant skills because for all you know a
better opportunity awaits you after law school and these skills
will come in handy. - Some Judges and chambers are prepared to work you out.
Really!!!? You just have to manage your time properly. No
knowledge is a waste. Remember, “Knowledge empowers”. - I should get a stipend of 5 million Naira from my
chambers after the externship programme. Don’t think it! Don’t say
it! Not all law firms pay that stipend. As you said, it’s just a
stipend. Max 100,000 Naira. - I can write jargon in my log book, nobody is gonna
read it. Hmm hmm, you’re on the wrong track Bruv! It may have
worked for your predecessors but your portfolio assessment may not
be less detailed like theirs. There’s a saying that: Taiwo and
Kehinde (twins) were born on the same day but have different
destinies.
MY LAW SCHOOL EXPERIENCE
As the heading reads, “my law school experience”, though
with a lot to take home.
I had my court placement at Hon. justice Oyebanji’s court at the
Ikeja High Court, Lagos and chamber placement at Bank-oki, Oyesanya
(SAN) and co. Victoria Island, Lagos. I chose Ikeja High
Court because of proximity to home and I felt the need for a
support structure after the energy draining sessions at the
classrooms and after lecture activities, before the Bar exams.
Victoria Island because there’s a conducive hostel accommodation at
NLS Lagos campus, though it came with a N20,000 fee. Law Clinicians
at NLS Lagos had gotten the rooms free in time past during this
period, I hope that’s still the case. I also felt the need to be in
the school environment after a long break, share knowledge with
colleagues present and get on with my reading pal.
“Coming together is a beginning; Keeping together is progress;
Working together is success “- HENRY FORD
THE IKEJA HIGH COURT EXPERIENCE
Hon. Justice Oyebanji was in the family & probate division
of the High court. I gained useful experience from the divorce
proceedings, a vital aspect of civil procedure at the NLS,
commercial matters because my Lord was previously in the
commercial division and had a spillover of cases, had a daily
dosage of how motions were moved and how trials were conducted.
My Lord also enjoined her externs to visit other courts. So,
I did pay visits to the Criminal courts, civil courts, and
the land division. Wow! What a bundle of practical knowledge to
prepare me for the bar exams. Although this is not always the case,
some Judges gave their externs assignments, tutorials and met
daily to discuss observations from the day’s proceedings, same here
as well. Some even had mock trials, interesting! and presentations.
Made friends, shared knowledge and capped it up with a get-together
and a group picture with my lady. My lady is intellectually
loaded.
BANK-OKI, OYESANYA (SAN) & CO
Most of you want to work in a SAN’S chamber after Law school,
but that’s not what made me exhilarated. Also, I met familiar faces
(senior colleagues) but that was not the game changer. What was it?
The interpersonal relationship between the Lawyers and
externs, the assignments, court sessions attended, client
interviews, quality time spent during the tutorial sessions
especially by Kotun Tajudeen Adesina, an arsenal of legal knowledge
and most importantly, the cordial relationship and team spirit
amongst externs. I made friends, gist, solve past questions and at
the end, a get together featuring a grand style but long speech
from the Learned silk.
WHAT TO NOTE ABOUT THE LOG BOOK:
- if there are no activities for the day, find one for
yourself and fill it in. You can create a legal scenario from your
law school curriculum and reflect on it. - Ensure every page marked to be signed are signed.
- Updating your log book: Depending on your style or the
Judges/chambers style, it’s convenient to update them daily. I
filled my activities for two weeks on the last day of my court
externship, although I had a draft in my jotter and just did a
freestyle but this didn’t work for my chamber placement. - Reflections, this is the comments/remarks section of your log
book. It doesn’t have to run to two pages, this is also subjective
depending on your “Doctorial thesis prowess”. You don’t necessarily
need to have one. For instance, I framed a question in my log book
and drafted a Motion on Notice. The learned silk interested in this
made corrections with his red ink, that was enough reflection for
me. - Protect your log book, reasonable wear and tear excepted,
but it should be available for your portfolio
assessment.
WHAT YOU SHOULDN’T MISS OUT
During your externship programme, do not, I repeat, do not
hesitate to do the following :
- Reading and Studying unread topics.
- Revise read topics.
- Draft Draft Draft!!!
- Engage in relevant academic discussions, most importantly after
studying. - Solve past questions, don’t cram the answers, know the
answers. - Have a good rest
- Relax your brain muscles (Visit the cinemas, go window
shopping, take a walk, Not kidding you, I did basically these
three, Visit the beach, gist with friends, anything not to
overstretch your brain muscles because you need that brain for your
bar exams) but do not expend time on these either. - Never discourage yourself when you can’t recall, don’t worry
it’s stored in your memory. Why even get worried when you can
revise your books. - Don’t also discourage yourself when you have low scores solving
mcq’s, it’s a step towards better scores. Keep solving, you’ll get
it right.Winston Churchill once said “success consists of going
from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm”. - Get in touch with your seniors, heed to their useful advice for
the Bar Exams. Again, wisdom is profitable to direct. - Most importantly don’t sacrifice your relationship with God on
the altar of bar exams. Don’t forsake the gathering of the
brethren, that could be your support structure.
On a final note, I borrow the words of David Bailey: “A positive
attitude can make dreams come true, it did for me”.
All the best!
Babalola is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme
Court of Nigeria. He can be reached
attobilaw65@yahoo.com
Hello, to those currently at the Nigerian Law School, I
am sharing with you my experience during the NLS two months
externship and how you can make excellent use of the opportunity to
gain practical knowledge for your Bar Examinations and in the long
run your legal career.
The Externship programme is a part of the Nigerian Law School
curriculum to add practical experience to what is taught within the
four walls of your NLS classroom. The programme is divided into two
invaluable learning experiences to wit; the court room externship,
which comes first followed immediately by the chamber/law firm
externship. At the end of this programme, NLS students are made to
undergo a portfolio assessment to examine them on what they have
learnt during the programme. This is also a prerequisite for being
called to the Nigerian Bar.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
I believe the under listed steps have been taken and you’ve all
received your placements:
- Fill the placement forms for both court and chamber
attachments. N.B: The system of choosing your preferred local
government and state is intentionally made flexible for your
convenience. - Submit the forms
- Get your placement notifications from NLS
- Complaints? inform your NLS campus Externship coordinator or
Group mentor, as the case may be based on the information
given by your campus coordinator or Directors. - Listen to the instructions given and obey. (Many, but
important, especially to avoid hiccups during your portfolio
assessment). For example – Making copies of work done during the
programme;-Submitting a signed and up-to-date log book;-Filled
assessment form accompanied by a letter & a copy of your
attendance list to be in a sealed envelope from your chamber.
Confirm if a court assessment is also required. - Avoid rumors(listening to and spreading rumors). Get your
instructions directly from the authorities which will be
communicated to your various group heads or the Chairman Students
Representative Council, as the case may be.
MYTHS ABOUT NLS EXTERNSHIP PLACEMENTS
Below, are some stories you hear about the Externship
placements. Though not myths in all cases but in most cases. My
colleagues may have shared some of these with you, bear in mind
that this is subjective and wisdom is profitable to direct.
- I have to get into one of these top chambers, so that I
can be retained after law school. True, but not everytime. If this
is your reason for going to that top chamber, why not have a
better perspective like learning the work culture of this firm that
makes them top, gaining relevant skills because for all you know a
better opportunity awaits you after law school and these skills
will come in handy. - Some Judges and chambers are prepared to work you out.
Really!!!? You just have to manage your time properly. No
knowledge is a waste. Remember, “Knowledge empowers”. - I should get a stipend of 5 million Naira from my
chambers after the externship programme. Don’t think it! Don’t say
it! Not all law firms pay that stipend. As you said, it’s just a
stipend. Max 100,000 Naira. - I can write jargon in my log book, nobody is gonna
read it. Hmm hmm, you’re on the wrong track Bruv! It may have
worked for your predecessors but your portfolio assessment may not
be less detailed like theirs. There’s a saying that: Taiwo and
Kehinde (twins) were born on the same day but have different
destinies.
MY LAW SCHOOL EXPERIENCE
As the heading reads, “my law school experience”, though
with a lot to take home.
I had my court placement at Hon. justice Oyebanji’s court at the
Ikeja High Court, Lagos and chamber placement at Bank-oki, Oyesanya
(SAN) and co. Victoria Island, Lagos. I chose Ikeja High
Court because of proximity to home and I felt the need for a
support structure after the energy draining sessions at the
classrooms and after lecture activities, before the Bar exams.
Victoria Island because there’s a conducive hostel accommodation at
NLS Lagos campus, though it came with a N20,000 fee. Law Clinicians
at NLS Lagos had gotten the rooms free in time past during this
period, I hope that’s still the case. I also felt the need to be in
the school environment after a long break, share knowledge with
colleagues present and get on with my reading pal.
“Coming together is a beginning; Keeping together is progress;
Working together is success “- HENRY FORD
THE IKEJA HIGH COURT EXPERIENCE
Hon. Justice Oyebanji was in the family & probate division
of the High court. I gained useful experience from the divorce
proceedings, a vital aspect of civil procedure at the NLS,
commercial matters because my Lord was previously in the
commercial division and had a spillover of cases, had a daily
dosage of how motions were moved and how trials were conducted.
My Lord also enjoined her externs to visit other courts. So,
I did pay visits to the Criminal courts, civil courts, and
the land division. Wow! What a bundle of practical knowledge to
prepare me for the bar exams. Although this is not always the case,
some Judges gave their externs assignments, tutorials and met
daily to discuss observations from the day’s proceedings, same here
as well. Some even had mock trials, interesting! and presentations.
Made friends, shared knowledge and capped it up with a get-together
and a group picture with my lady. My lady is intellectually
loaded.
BANK-OKI, OYESANYA (SAN) & CO
Most of you want to work in a SAN’S chamber after Law school,
but that’s not what made me exhilarated. Also, I met familiar faces
(senior colleagues) but that was not the game changer. What was it?
The interpersonal relationship between the Lawyers and
externs, the assignments, court sessions attended, client
interviews, quality time spent during the tutorial sessions
especially by Kotun Tajudeen Adesina, an arsenal of legal knowledge
and most importantly, the cordial relationship and team spirit
amongst externs. I made friends, gist, solve past questions and at
the end, a get together featuring a grand style but long speech
from the Learned silk.
WHAT TO NOTE ABOUT THE LOG BOOK:
- if there are no activities for the day, find one for
yourself and fill it in. You can create a legal scenario from your
law school curriculum and reflect on it. - Ensure every page marked to be signed are signed.
- Updating your log book: Depending on your style or the
Judges/chambers style, it’s convenient to update them daily. I
filled my activities for two weeks on the last day of my court
externship, although I had a draft in my jotter and just did a
freestyle but this didn’t work for my chamber placement. - Reflections, this is the comments/remarks section of your log
book. It doesn’t have to run to two pages, this is also subjective
depending on your “Doctorial thesis prowess”. You don’t necessarily
need to have one. For instance, I framed a question in my log book
and drafted a Motion on Notice. The learned silk interested in this
made corrections with his red ink, that was enough reflection for
me. - Protect your log book, reasonable wear and tear excepted,
but it should be available for your portfolio
assessment.
WHAT YOU SHOULDN’T MISS OUT
During your externship programme, do not, I repeat, do not
hesitate to do the following :
- Reading and Studying unread topics.
- Revise read topics.
- Draft Draft Draft!!!
- Engage in relevant academic discussions, most importantly after
studying. - Solve past questions, don’t cram the answers, know the
answers. - Have a good rest
- Relax your brain muscles (Visit the cinemas, go window
shopping, take a walk, Not kidding you, I did basically these
three, Visit the beach, gist with friends, anything not to
overstretch your brain muscles because you need that brain for your
bar exams) but do not expend time on these either. - Never discourage yourself when you can’t recall, don’t worry
it’s stored in your memory. Why even get worried when you can
revise your books. - Don’t also discourage yourself when you have low scores solving
mcq’s, it’s a step towards better scores. Keep solving, you’ll get
it right.Winston Churchill once said “success consists of going
from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm”. - Get in touch with your seniors, heed to their useful advice for
the Bar Exams. Again, wisdom is profitable to direct. - Most importantly don’t sacrifice your relationship with God on
the altar of bar exams. Don’t forsake the gathering of the
brethren, that could be your support structure.
On a final note, I borrow the words of David Bailey: “A positive
attitude can make dreams come true, it did for me”.
All the best!
Babalola is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme
Court of Nigeria. He can be reached
attobilaw65@yahoo.com