The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has reiterated that all legal practitioners in Nigeria must adhere to the 2023 Legal Practitioner Remuneration Order (LPRO), affirming that the order remains binding and enforceable despite ongoing legal challenges.
In a statement from the NBA’s leadership, the association said the LPRO — which was issued to establish a standard fee regime for legal services nationwide — is intended to curb arbitrary and unethical fee practices, protect clients from excessive charges, and promote transparency and professionalism within the legal profession.
The NBA stressed that the Remuneration Order sets out specific scales and procedures for fees payable to counsel in civil and criminal matters, including guidelines on how lawyers should bill for appearances, written briefs and other professional services. According to the association, adherence to the order helps ensure fairness in lawyer‑client engagements and shields clients from exploitative practices.
While some lawyers have filed legal challenges seeking to review certain provisions of the order, the NBA emphasised that until a competent court sets aside or amends the LPRO, legal practitioners are required to apply it in all relevant cases. Failure to do so, the NBA warned, could constitute a breach of professional ethics and attract disciplinary action by relevant regulatory bodies.
The association also advised members of the public to insist on fee arrangements that reflect the official scale and to report instances where lawyers demand fees outside the order’s provisions.
The NBA said the position reinforces its commitment to upholding ethical standards in legal practice and ensuring that the legal profession remains fair, accessible and accountable to the society it serves.
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