The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has strongly criticised the implementation of a mandatory one-year “Pre-Bar Course” under the Legal Education Act, 2026 (Act 1170), describing it as an unlawful addition to the statute.

According to the party, the Act does not provide for any Pre-Bar stage, but rather outlines only the LLB programme, Law Practice Training and the National Bar Examination.

The NPP argued that the introduction of the new requirement through administrative directives amounts to an overreach of authority.

“The insertion is therefore ultra vires, a policy invention amounting to amendment of the statute by administrative fiat,” the statement said.

The party further claimed that the directive issued through the Ghana School of Law creates confusion for law graduates and raises serious legal and administrative concerns.

It also questioned the legal standing of the Council for Legal Education and Training (CLET), stating that it has not yet been properly constituted.

The NPP added that the implementation framework leaves students uncertain about fees, status, and progression and also conflicts with the transitional provisions of the Act.

“A statutory regime that can function only outside its own terms puts thousands of students and the integrity of professional training in jeopardy,” the statement warned.

The party has therefore called for the suspension of the Pre-Bar programme until the proper legal and regulatory framework is established.