A Nigerian business lawyer,George Etomi has recommended to the East African Law Society (EALS)to establish a Section on Business Law.
He spoke at the IBA,European Lawyers foundation workshop in Nairobi, Kenya which took place on the 18th and 19th of May at the Intercontinental Nairobi.
The Theme of the workshop was “Globalising your practice: Opportunities and Challenges”
Mr Etomi pointed out that no regional bloc is as divided as that of Africa.He urged lawyers to work towards bringing down barriers that impede free flow of trade.He also emphasized on the need to harmonise business laws in Africa.In doing so, he recommended that lawyers should lobby to ensure that favourable laws are passed.
According to Etomi,the establishment of SBL in EALS will encourage specialisation. He concluded by inviting the East African Lawyers to attend the annual general conference of the Nigerian Bar Association.
According to Anthony Atata ,the Vice Chair of International Bar Association –African Regional Forum who was also in Nairobi for the workshop, the workshop was a successful one and should be replicated across the regions in Africa. He encouraged East African Lawyers to join the IBA and the African regional forum to take advantage of the networking opportunities available to members.He invited them specifically to the forum’s Accra conference in November
The workshop was attended by lawyers from Kenya,Uganda,Tanzania,Zanzibar,Buruindi and Rwanda. Some members of the International Bar Association Law firm management committee were present.
Mr Isaac Okero,the President of the law society of Kenya and Richard Mugisha,President of the East African Law Society gave the welcome address.The Key note address was delivered by Hon.Prof Githu Muigaa-Attorney General of the Republic of Kenya.
