Government outlines transition plan for new legal education system

The government has issued interim policy directives to guide the transition to Ghana’s new legal education system under the Legal Education Act 2026 (Act 1170).

The move is aimed at ensuring a smooth shift to the decentralised training framework while maintaining continuity in legal education and addressing the backlog of law graduates awaiting professional admission.

In a letter dated June 12, 2026 and addressed to the Dean of the Ghana School of Law, the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, in consultation with the Chairman of the General Legal Council, issued the directives to guide the transitional period ahead of full implementation of the reforms.

"This letter serves as a set of Interim Policy Directives covering some very urgent matters.

"The Act has introduced significant reforms to legal education in Ghana, particularly the decentralisation of professional legal training to accredited law faculties," it stated.

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The letter noted that Council for Legal Education and Training (CLET), established under the Act, is yet to be constituted, creating a transitional gap before full implementation can begin.

"As you are well aware, the Legal Education Act, 2026 (Act 1170), has been passed by Parliament, assented to by the President, and gazetted.

However, the new Council for Legal Education and Training (CLET), established under the Act, is yet to be constituted. This letter serves as a set of Interim Policy Directives covering some very urgent matters", it noted.

The letter explained that during the transition, the existing framework under the Legal Profession Act, 1960 (Act 32) and the Legal Profession (Professional and Post-Call Law Course) Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2355) will continue to operate.

"Under the system established by the Legal Profession Act, 1960 (Act 32) and the Legal Profession (Professional and Post-Call Law Course) Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2355), which is now being phased out, LLB graduates are required to pass an entrance examination organised by the Independent Examinations Committee (IEC) in order to gain admission to the Ghana School of Law (GSL)", it added.

The directives follow the passage of the Legal Education Act 2026, which has been assented to by the President and gazetted.

The Act establishes the Council for Legal Education and Training (CLET), which will oversee legal education and professional training in Ghana.

See the letter below:



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