Nigerian Law Society, Body of Senior Counsel Declare Autonomy to Confer Blue Silks Rank

The Nigerian Law Society (NLS) and the Body of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (BOSCON) have declared their autonomy to confer the "Blue Silks" rank, also known as Senior Counsel of Nigeria (SCN), on deserving lawyers. This new rank has emerged as an alternative to the established Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) title, but it has encountered opposition from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), which has declared the Blue Silks rank illegal and threatened sanctions against lawyers who use it.

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The Nigerian Law Society (NLS) and the Body of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (BOSCON) declare their autonomy to conduct their internal affairs such as conferment of the Blue Silks rank of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (SCN) upon its own members without interference from outsiders just as Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) declared its autonomy to conduct its election without interference from the Hon. AGF.

In a joint statement released on Friday, the NLS and BOSCON insisted on their right to manage their internal affairs without external interference. They drew a parallel to the NBA's recent assertion of autonomy in conducting its elections, free from the influence of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF). The NLS and BOSCON argue that, similarly, they should be able to confer the Blue Silks rank without interference.

The joint leadership of the NLS and BOSCON, both registered organizations, issued the statement to inform the public about their position. They emphasized that the conferment of the Blue Silks rank is an internal affair of the NLS, utilizing criteria assessed by BOSCON, specifically 35 verifiable non-litigation transactions. Candidates voluntarily apply for the rank, pay the prescribed fees, and are convinced of its credibility as a rank of legal excellence for non-litigation lawyers.

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The conferment of the Blue Silks rank of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (SCN) upon members of the Nigerian Law Society (NLS) is 100% internal affairs of the Nigerian Law Society (NLS) using the criteria of 35 verifiable non-litigation transactions as assessed by the Body of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (BOSCON).

By submitting applications and taking an oath during the conferment ceremony, candidates agree to abide by the rules and regulations of both the NLS and BOSCON. The organizations maintain that their autonomy in this matter is unquestionable, mirroring the NBA's stance on its electoral independence.

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None of the candidates are coerced into application for the Blue Silks rank of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (SCN), each candidate submits an application out of their own voluntary, free will and pays the prescribed relevant fees out of the firm conviction that the Blue Silks rank of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (SCN) is a credible rank of legal excellence for non-litigation Nigerian lawyers.