“Financial Constraints Hinder Launch Of Exams Frequently”

Many candidates are currently preparing for the upcoming Bar one and two examinations in April 2024. What advice do you have for the candidates? 
The basic advice I have for the candidates is that they should study and prepare very well because unlike the rumours, there is no preference. We are putting in place every mechanism to mitigate all malpractices and all forms of corruption. People who think that the Bar exams are for sale, because I hear some people are proposing money to Bar Council members and all of that. These exams are going to be based on merit. The good thing is that the exams syllables are prescribed by the law. The law has stated what they are supposed to read and we are going to limit ourselves to that. 

What is the required profile for those who want to undertake the upcoming Bar examination? 
Basically a degree in Law is prescribed. The law also indicates that the person has to be of good moral standing. It is difficult to determine what good moral standing is. I take this opportunity to inform the public that when the list of the candidates will be published, if anybody identifies any name on the list and thinks that there is sufficient reason why such a person should not be admitted into the noble profession like the Bar, let the person inform us. We are going to use the information and protect the informant. It is a civil responsibility that every Cameroonian, or every citizen has towards good governance. We cannot know the background of every candidate.  Also, all candidates need to be of minimum, 21 years, have a certificate of non-conviction, be a Cameroonian by presenting a certificate of nationality. The candidates must have paid, the FCFA 10,000 prescribed by the law and the FCFA 30,000 supplementary, as resolved by the Bar Council. This is because the amount of FCFA 10,000 is insufficient as stipulated by the 1990 decree which provides for that amount. This is because of the drastic and progressive increase in the cost of living and everything. It is practically impossible for that FCFA 10,000 to sustain the cost of the exams because, we need to bring in lecturers, magistrates and lawyers. All these people need to be fed, lodged and other needs catered for. 

Many people complain that access to the Law profession is difficult. What makes it difficult? 
Access to the Bar is not for job seekers. It is for people who have the vocation and love for the profession. So it is, first of all, a calling. If you do not fall within this category, you will find it difficult. If you are someone who wants to get into the profession without understanding the call, then you will find it difficult going through. The conditions are very minimal and we need to upgrade the conditions to meet with the prevalent standards of society. I can assure you that the present Bar Council takes training seriously and the candidates that will succeed the Bar one examination will effectively undertake the two-year internship programme. It is not going to be the same like in other years where some candidates after taking the oath to begin internship, they start travelling around and forget their obligations. After two years, they come and they write the exam to become a lawyer. It is not going to be like this henceforth. All those who will be writing the Bar two exams will not write the exams because, he/she has done two years of training, but will show proof that he/she has effectively participated in the minimum training sessions. Also, for those who will succeed in the Bar one exam, if they later find themselves in any chambers and they are being maltreated, they have the right to denounce. Candidates have the right to write to the Bar Council to complain about where they are undertaking training.  The Bar Council has the right to withdraw any candidate at any time from any chamber and re-deploy to any other chambers. Candidates should first of all read and know their rights and once they are declared successful, the Bar is going to make sure they are educated on their rights so that they will not be treated as some cheap labour. 

The internship procedure for the Bar candidates seems to be a difficult journey as some of them face abuse from their superiors. What advice do you have for such a candidate?  
The principals in Chambers have obligations towards those candidates and the Bar Council has a duty to ensure that they...