Relevance of Legal Education and Legal Education of Relevance

Abstract

The problem of legal education in the contemporary world is that of relevance. This means that legal education is not appropriate or connected with the circumstances of societies in terms of reason for law. This paper argues for improvements or reforms in the training of legal officials - including methods and facilities for teaching and learning, the curriculum, ways of approaching justice at litigation and restrictions on admission of law students. This stance shares the belief that legal education in the 21^st century should be capable of transforming the legal man and his society as well as providing the kind of knowledge, morals, welfare and attitude capable of bringing about a valid system of justice, peace and order in society as the untraded or unsolicited aspirations of law. The paper is a reaction against the prevailing attitudes and standards associated with the ever ailing programmes of legal education in liberal societies like America, Britain and Nigeria. Liberalism as a political ideology appears to have failed in its crusade to transform the legal world. Universally, Legal education in the 21^st century should aim at reforming individuals' character; transmit desirable values, skills and attitudes for the purpose of inculcating the good life in citizens. We are therefore concerned with legal education for self-reliance, freedom, liberation, development and sustainable rule of law. In order to achieve this, the paper suggests that every capable citizen should be allowed the opportunity to read law. This means that restrictions on admission policy should be reviewed.