History & Establishment
From the Legal Profession Act of 1960 to the Legal Education Act of 2026, the evolution of legal education regulation in Ghana.
Established by Act of Parliament
The Council for Legal Education and Training (CLET) was established by the Legal Education Act, 2026 (Act 1170), an Act of the Parliament of the Republic of Ghana. The Bill was authenticated by the Clerk to Parliament on 26 March 2026 and assented to by the President on 11 May 2026.
The Act establishes CLET as a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal, capable of acquiring and holding property, disposing of property, and entering into contracts for the performance of its functions.
CLET supersedes the legal education regulatory functions previously by the General Legal Council under the Legal Profession Act, 1960 (Act 32) and the Legal Profession (Professional and Post-Call Law Course) Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2355), which are partly revoked by Act 1170.
Legal Education Regulation in Ghana
Legal Profession Act, 1960 (Act 32)
The foundational legislation that governed the legal profession in Ghana, establishing the General Legal Council and regulating the professional law course. The Ghana School of Law was established under this framework.
Legal Profession (Professional and Post-Call Law Course) Regulations
L.I. 2355 provided detailed regulations on the Professional Law Course and Post-Call Law Course, including admission requirements, curriculum, and examination standards. Regulations 1–22 of this instrument governed the legal education landscape until the enactment of Act 1170.
Legal Education Act, 2026 (Act 1170)
Passed by Parliament of the Republic of Ghana and authenticated on 26th March 2026. Assented to by the President on 11th May 2026. Act 1170 establishes the Council for Legal Education and Training as a dedicated statutory body with a comprehensive mandate to regulate legal education, separate from the General Legal Council.
Establishment of CLET
The Council for Legal Education and Training is formally constituted following presidential assent. The Act revokes Regulations 1–22 of L.I. 2355 and makes consequential amendments to the Legal Profession Act, 1960, from the GLC to CLET. The Ghana School of Law is established as a directorate of CLET.
Transitional Provisions
Existing Professional Law Course Students
A person enrolled at the Ghana School of Law and undertaking the Professional Law Course before the coming into force of this Act shall complete the Professional Law Course under the applicable enactment and curriculum in force at the time of enrolment.
Act 1170 · s.93(1)Students at Unaccredited Institutions
A person enrolled in a law programme at an institution that does not hold an accreditation licence may apply for admission to undertake Law Practice Training at the Ghana School of Law or any institution that holds a valid accreditation licence.
Act 1170 · s.93(2)LLB Holders Awaiting Law Practice Training
A person who has obtained a Bachelor of Laws degree before the coming into force of this Act and who has not yet undertaken Law Practice Training may apply for admission to the Ghana School of Law or any accredited institution.
Act 1170 · s.93(3)