AG moves to overhaul lawyers’ discipline, professional standards framework
By DL News
Published
1 min read
The announcement was contained in a speech delivered on his behalf by Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai at the Ghana Bar Association’s 2026/27 conference in Ada on September 14.
Ghana could soon have a new independent body responsible for regulating professional standards and investigating complaints against lawyers.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Dr Dominic Ayine has announced that the Legal Practitioners Standard Board Bill will be submitted to Cabinet before being introduced in Parliament.
The announcement was contained in a speech delivered on his behalf by Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai at the Ghana Bar Association’s 2026/27 conference in Ada on September 14.
Under the proposed legislation, the Legal Practitioners Standard Board would operate as an independent statutory regulator responsible for professional conduct and the continuing competence of lawyers.
A separate disciplinary committee would also be created within the board, ensuring that complaint handling is distinct from licensing and standard-setting functions.
The committee is expected to comprise lawyers, representatives of other professions and members of the public. It would follow defined procedures for receiving, investigating and determining allegations of professional misconduct.
Dr Ayine said the framework would equally protect lawyers subjected to disciplinary proceedings. They would have the right to receive details of the allegations, respond fully, face proportionate sanctions and challenge decisions in court.
According to him, these safeguards would prevent the disciplinary process from being used to harass lawyers by clients, professional competitors, the Bench or the government.
The Attorney-General rejected suggestions that the reform was designed to place the legal profession under political control. Instead, he said, it would remove disciplinary proceedings from government influence and give the Bar greater ownership of the process.
He argued that an independent regulator was necessary because lawyers must occasionally challenge the government and hold public officials accountable.
Before the bill reaches Parliament, the government will consult the Ghana Bar Association, General Legal Council, Judicial Council and other relevant stakeholders.
The conference was held under the theme, “150 Years of Ghana’s Legal Evolution: Transforming the Profession and Driving its Future with Industry.”
