At the March meeting of the Surulere Lawyers Forum, legal luminary Afam Osigwe, SAN emphasized the importance of improved remuneration for lawyers in Nigeria. Osigwe, who chairs the Remuneration Committee established by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), delivered a keynote address underscoring the significance of the recently enacted Remuneration Order of 2023.
The Remuneration Order, according to Osigwe, represents a crucial step towards standardizing fee structures and fostering transparency in legal fees nationwide. However, he acknowledged that the Order alone does not immediately resolve all remuneration challenges faced by lawyers.
“As lawyers, we deserve our wages, and the Remuneration Committee is committed to this,” Osigwe declared. He outlined strategies to address persisting obstacles, advocating for strict enforcement of the Remuneration Order.
Osigwe urged legal practitioners to actively collaborate with the Remuneration Committee by adhering to the prescribed fee guidelines and reporting instances of undercharging, which constitutes professional misconduct under the new Order.
The senior advocate emphasized the seriousness with which the NBA regards adherence to the Remuneration Order, stressing that collaboration and reporting undercharging cases are vital to safeguarding the integrity of the legal profession and ensuring fair compensation for all practitioners.
Osigwe expressed gratitude to the Surulere Lawyers Forum for the platform and commended their contributions to advancing the legal profession. He reaffirmed his commitment, as chair of the Remuneration Committee, to ensuring the effective implementation of the Remuneration Order of 2023 through collaborative efforts with stakeholders.
Credit: The Nigeria Lawyer