Nigerian Law School Portfolio Assessment: Externship Experience at the High Court of Lagos State

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Augustine Nnamani's portfolio assessment details his externship experience at the High Court of Lagos State, including court placement, activities witnessed, skills acquired, and ethical dilemmas encountered. The program aimed to develop legal skills, understanding of the legal system, and professional values, with a focus on reflection and learning. The evaluation of the court highlighted positive aspects such as good location, furnishings, and record-keeping practices.

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THE NIGERIAN LAW SCHOOL THE NIGERIAN LAW SCHOOL PORTFOLIO ASSESSMENT PORTFOLIO ASSESSMENT BY NAME REG NO; CAMPUS; AUGUSTINE NNAMANI CAMPUS ENUGU NAME OF MENTOR:

GOALS OF THE EXTERNSHIP GOALS OF THE EXTERNSHIP PROGRAMME PROGRAMME Develop the externs lawyering skills Make the externs understand various aspects of the legal system as well as the legal profession Include in the externs a sense of professional responsibility and values Develop the externs ability to reflect on and learn from their experience

COURT PLACEMENT COURT PLACEMENT Name of court : High Court of Lagos State, Ikeja Name of judge : Justice Olatunde Oshodi Name of registrar : Mr Odukoya Division of court: Criminal court 18

Address of court : Oba Akinjobi Street G.R.A Lagos Duration : 24THApril - 2NDJune 2017

ACTIVITY WITNESSED IN COURT ACTIVITY WITNESSED IN COURT Moving motions Raising objections Trail within trail Examination in chief Cross examination Re-examination Arraignment Presentation of case for the prosecution Recording of proceedings Admissibility of computer generated evidence

COURT EVALUATION COURT EVALUATION Good Location Excellent spacing Adequate furnishing and equipment Fully air conditioned Excellent filing and record keeping of exhibits Excellent drawing of cause list Solid court lightning Adequate staffs

SKILLS ACQUIRED SKILLS ACQUIRED Announcing appearance Moving a motion Examination of witnesses Tendering documents and exhibits Moving a bail application

ETHICAL DILLEMMA ETHICAL DILLEMMA Too many adjournments Poor dressing amongst lawyers Lack of diligent prosecution Misapplication of the law Lack of preparation of witnesses No expertise in the representation of client

RECOMMENDATIONS RECOMMENDATIONS Judges should be quick to correct lawyers who wrongly apply the law Judges should punish everyone found guilty of contempt of court. All lawyers must study and adhere to the rules contained in the rules of professional conduct 2007.

OBSERVATIONS OBSERVATIONS The judge was an impartial arbiter The judge was fair and respectful to the bar Court room decorum Registrar performed excellently well as he made sure that the case files were ready before the judge. Efficient record keeping of exhibit Efficient record of proceedings

LAW FIRM PLACEMENT LAW FIRM PLACEMENT Name of Law Firm : Ayo Olarewaju & co Name of principal : Mr Ayo Olarewaju Address : No 9, Salvation Road Opebi Ikeja , Lagos State. Duration : 4th of June 12th of July 2017

OFFICE MANAGEMENT AND OFFICE MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION ORGANIZATION Good law office environment Adequate library materials Very good location Organization of library is good Good filing system Good office equipments, machines and supplies Efficient record keeping system Excellent system adopted for closing of files

ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES Letter writing Drafting legal opinion Drafting of applications for bail Litigation Drafting applications for fundamental human rights Drafting election petition Drafting wills and codicil Drafting writ of summons

SKILLS ACQUIRED SKILLS ACQUIRED Legal research Providing legal advise for companies Legal problem identification Formulation of legal opinion

OBSERVATION OBSERVATION Lawyers are kind and welcoming Lawyers are intelligent and knowledgeable Well equipped library Lawyers are punctual and keen to responsibility

ETHICAL ISSUES ETHICAL ISSUES Late arrival at courts for litigation Inadequate support staff

RECOMMENDATIONS RECOMMENDATIONS Lawyers in the firm should attempt to get to court early before the court sits More support staffs should be employed Ways of getting support staffs are: Recommendations by agencies and consultants Advertisement in newspapers Recommendation by former or current staff.