By Iniobong Irene Pepple, Esq., AICMC, McArb
Across Nigeria, many lawyers continue to face long hours, rising costs, and poor remuneration. Many lawyers are working harder than ever, yet many still struggle with undervaluation.
The Nigerian Bar Association’s (NBA) recent implementation of the Legal Practitioners (Remuneration for Business, Legal Services and Representation) Order 2023 offers a practical solution to these long-standing challenges.
More than a regulation, it is a roadmap to restore dignity, value, and sustainability to legal practice.
Under the visionary leadership of Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, President of the NBA, and the commitment of Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN, Chairman of the NBA Remuneration Committee, the Association has provided not only a legal framework but also clear implementation guidance to ensure every lawyer benefits from it.
Their efforts have moved the conversation from policy to practice, giving the profession a tangible way to protect its economic interests.
The Remuneration Order prescribes minimum professional fees for different categories of legal work; litigation, corporate services, property transactions, advisory work, and more.
It establishes a baseline, ensuring that no lawyer charges below a fair and regulated rate.
This helps end destructive fee-cutting, promotes healthy competition, and enables lawyers to build sustainable practices that reflect their worth.
How to Use the Order Effectively
- Download and Understand the Scale of Charges:
Visit the NBA website to access the gazetted Order and its Implementation Guide. Identify the category of service you offer and the State Band that applies to your location.
- Incorporate It into Your Engagement Letters:
When sending out engagement letters, reference the Order directly. State the applicable scale and ensure clients understand that your fees comply with the national standard.
- Educate Your Clients:
Many clients are unaware that legal fees in Nigeria now follow a national structure.
Explain that your charges reflect professional ethics and NBA-mandated minimums, not arbitrary amounts.
- Engage Your NBA Branch:
Check if your branch has adopted local mechanisms for monitoring compliance. Following these guidelines strengthens enforcement and protects your practice.
- Charge Above the Minimum When Justified:
The Order sets the floor, not the ceiling. For complex or high-value matters, you may charge above the minimum rate, provided your engagement terms are clear and reasonable.
By applying these steps, lawyers can standardize billing practices, reduce disputes over fees, and present a united professional front.
Fair remuneration not only benefits the lawyer but also enhances service delivery and public confidence in the legal system.
Through the deliberate leadership of Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the NBA has taken a bold step to protect lawyers from exploitation and restore balance to professional practice.
The Remuneration Order is a shield that guarantees fairness, structure, and respect for our work.
Every lawyer should embrace it. Update your documents, educate your clients, and align your practice with the new standard.
The NBA has provided the tools; it is up to us to use them confidently and consistently to preserve the honour and value of the legal profession in Nigeria.
