Ghana School of Law PLC: Law Practice Management (GLC)

Under Section 8 of the Legal Profession Act, 1960 (Act 32), what is the legal consequence if a lawyer practices as a solicitor without a valid annual practicing certificate issued by the General Legal Council?

• AThe lawyer is not entitled to maintain any action to recover fees, and practicing without…
• BThe lawyer is automatically disbarred for life without any right of appeal to the Court o…
• CThe lawyer is suspended from practice for exactly 6 months but can still recover fees for…
• DThe lawyer's acts are valid, but they must pay a standard administrative fine of GHS 500…

Who is the statutory Chairman of the General Legal Council (GLC) under the First Schedule of the Legal Profession Act, 1960 (Act 32)?

• AThe Chief Justice of Ghana
• BThe Attorney-General and Minister for Justice
• CThe President of the Ghana Bar Association
• DThe Director of Legal Education of the Ghana School of Law

Which statutory committee of the General Legal Council (GLC) is tasked under Act 32 with initiating and conducting hearings into complaints of professional misconduct against lawyers?

• AThe Disciplinary Committee
• BThe Board of Legal Examiners
• CThe Legal Aid Committee
• DThe Judicial Committee

Under the Legal Profession Act, 1960 (Act 32), an appeal against a decision of the Disciplinary Committee of the General Legal Council lies directly to which court?

• AThe Court of Appeal
• BThe Supreme Court
• CThe High Court (General Civil Division)
• DThe High Court (Admiralty and Commercial Division)

What is the mandatory period of pupillage that a newly enrolled lawyer must complete under a qualified supervisor before they can practice independently or hold themselves out as a sole practitioner in Ghana?

• ATwelve months
• BSix months
• CTwenty-four months
• DEighteen months

Under the legal framework in Ghana, which of the following business structures is legally permitted for a lawyer to carry on the general practice of law?

• AAn incorporated partnership under the Incorporated Private Partnerships Act, 1962 (Act 15…
• BA limited liability company registered under the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992)
• CA public limited company limited by shares
• DA joint-stock enterprise where non-lawyers own equity

In what key way does an incorporated partnership registered under the Incorporated Private Partnerships Act, 1962 (Act 152) differ from a traditional common law partnership regarding its legal personality?

• AIt becomes a body corporate with separate legal personality and perpetual succession upon…
• BIt shields the partners from all personal liability for the debts of the partnership duri…
• CIt cannot own immovable property in its own name, requiring partners to hold land as join…
• DIt is exempt from registering its name or business activity with the Office of the Regist…

What is the statutory expiration date for an annual practicing certificate issued to a lawyer by the General Legal Council in Ghana?

• A31st December of the year of issue
• BExactly twelve months from the date of issuance
• C30th June of the year following the year of issue
• D31st March of the year following the year of issue

Under the Legal Profession (Professional Conduct and Etiquette) Rules, 2020 (L.I. 2423), what is required of every practicing lawyer regarding professional indemnity insurance?

• AThey must maintain a valid professional indemnity insurance policy as a mandatory conditi…
• BProfessional indemnity insurance is optional and only recommended for firms with more tha…
• CThe insurance must be purchased directly from the General Legal Council's dedicated insur…
• DInsurance is only required if the lawyer represents state institutions or commercial bank…

To practice law in Ghana, a foreign lawyer who is not a Ghanaian citizen but is qualified in a common law jurisdiction must obtain what type of license from the General Legal Council?

• AA temporary practicing certificate, provided they pass an examination in the Ghana Legal…
• BAn automatic exemption certificate based on reciprocity, without any examinations.
• CA permanent practicing license, provided they establish a physical office in Accra.
• DA corporate legal consultant permit that allows them to practice without courtroom rights.

A law firm operates as 'chambers' rather than an 'incorporated partnership' in Ghana. What is the typical administrative and legal distinction regarding liability and profit sharing in chambers?

• AChambers are generally a sharing of space, expenses, and support staff, while each barris…
• BChambers are automatically treated as a single legal entity where all profits and liabili…
• CChambers are exempt from any regulatory oversight by the General Legal Council's Discipli…
• DChambers are legally permitted to operate as limited liability companies under the Compan…

Under the Legal Profession Act, 1960 (Act 32), what is the statutory minimum number of partners required to form an incorporated partnership for the practice of law?

• ATwo partners
• BOne partner
• CThree partners
• DFive partners

Who is responsible for registering the name of a new law firm in Ghana, and what approvals must be obtained first?

• AThe name must be approved by the General Legal Council before registration with the Offic…
• BThe name is automatically approved by the Ghana Bar Association upon payment of the assoc…
• CThe firm can begin practicing under any name, provided they notify the Chief Justice with…
• DApproval is only required from the Ministry of Justice and the Attorney-General's Departm…

Under the legal profession rules in Ghana, which of the following public offices disqualifies a lawyer from practicing as a private solicitor or barrister while holding that office?

• AA full-time judicial officer (such as a judge or magistrate) or a full-time state prosecu…
• BAn elected member of the National Executive Committee of the Ghana Bar Association.
• CA part-time lecturer in law at an accredited university.
• DAn appointed member of a statutory board or commission of inquiry.

Which of the following bodies is responsible for administering the qualifying examinations and managing the curriculum of the Professional Law Course (PLC) at the Ghana School of Law?

• AThe Independent Examinations Committee (IEC) under the direction of the General Legal Cou…
• BThe Ministry of Education in partnership with the National Accreditation Board.
• CThe Judicial Council of Ghana in consultation with the Supreme Court.
• DThe Academic Board of the University of Ghana School of Law.

Under the Oaths Act, 1972 (NRCD 6), who has the statutory authority to appoint a practicing lawyer in Ghana as a Commissioner for Oaths?

• AThe Chief Justice of Ghana
• BThe President of the Republic of Ghana
• CThe Attorney-General and Minister for Justice
• DThe Registrar General of the Office of the Registrar of Companies

Under the Notaries Public Act, 1960 (Act 26), what is the minimum number of years of experience required for a lawyer in Ghana to be eligible for appointment as a Notary Public?

• AFive years of active practice
• BThree years of active practice
• CTen years of active practice
• DSeven years of active practice

Which of the following acts by a legal practitioner in Ghana constitutes the criminal misdemeanor of 'practicing without a license'?

• APracticing as a barrister or solicitor during a period when the lawyer's annual practicin…
• BEngaging in pro bono legal advice for an registered non-governmental organization without…
• CRepresenting a close family member in a summary civil dispute before a District Court.
• DTeaching law courses as a full-time academic lecturer at a public university.

What is the primary role of the Judicial Committee of the General Legal Council in Ghana?

• ATo hear appeals from the Disciplinary Committee on preliminary matters before they go to…
• BTo administer the recruitment of judges for the superior courts of judicature.
• CTo draft amendments to the High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules.
• DTo oversee the assignment of state attorneys to the various ministries.

Under the legal frameworks of Ghana, what is the role of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) in the regulation of the legal profession?

• AIt is a voluntary professional association of lawyers that collaborates with the statutor…
• BIt is the sole statutory regulator with exclusive power to disbar lawyers under Act 32.
• CIt is a branch of the Ministry of Justice responsible for licensing law firms.
• DIt is a trade union of lawyers that enjoys immunity from the decisions of the Chief Justi…

Which of the following registers or records must a lawyer ensure their name is entered on before they can legally practice as a barrister and solicitor in Ghana?

• AThe Roll of Lawyers kept by the Judicial Secretary
• BThe Register of Companies at the Registrar General's Department
• CThe Roll of Commissioners kept by the Attorney-General
• DThe Membership Directory of the West African Bar Association

What is the statutory composition of the Disciplinary Committee of the General Legal Council when hearing a complaint against a lawyer under Act 32?

• AThree members of the General Legal Council
• BFive members of the High Court Bench
• CA panel consisting of the Chief Justice and the President of the GBA
• DSeven legal practitioners of at least ten years' standing

Under the Incorporated Private Partnerships Act, 1962 (Act 152), what is the maximum number of partners allowed in a firm registered for the practice of law in Ghana?

• ATwenty partners
• BTen partners
• CFifty partners
• DThere is no statutory maximum limit

If a lawyer's name is struck off the Roll of Lawyers by the Disciplinary Committee, what is the procedure for reinstatement in Ghana?

• AThey must apply to the General Legal Council, which has the discretion to restore their n…
• BThey are automatically reinstated after a period of five years has elapsed.
• CThey must sit and pass the PLC entrance examination and retake the entire course.
• DThey must obtain a pardon from the President of the Republic of Ghana under the prerogati…

A sole practitioner in Ghana wishes to form a partnership. What registration step is legally required to establish the firm as a corporate partnership?

• AThey must file a partnership agreement and register with the Office of the Registrar of C…
• BThey must register the partnership with the Ghana Bar Association's Executive Council.
• CThey must obtain a certificate of incorporation under the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992).
• DThey must register the partnership under the Registration of Business Names Act, 1962 (Ac…

Under the rules of the General Legal Council, what is the consequence if a lawyer fails to pay their annual GBA dues and GLC licensing fees by the specified deadline?

• AThe GLC will refuse to renew or issue their annual practicing certificate, making their p…
• BThey are automatically expelled from the profession and must hand over all client files t…
• CThey are charged double interest on all fees but are allowed to practice without interrup…
• DTheir name is automatically published in the Gazette as a bankrupt debtor.

Which of the following details must be included in the annual application for the renewal of a lawyer's practicing certificate in Ghana?

• AProof of valid professional indemnity insurance and audit certificate of client accounts.
• BA copy of the lawyer's tax clearance certificate for the last five years.
• CA list of all active clients and their bank account statements.
• DA signed declaration that the lawyer will not charge fees below the statutory GBA minimum.

Under the First Schedule of the Legal Profession Act, 1960 (Act 32), which of the following is a statutory member of the General Legal Council?

• AThe Attorney-General
• BThe Inspector-General of Police
• CThe Governor of the Bank of Ghana
• DThe Auditor-General

What is the legal status of the 'Office of the Registrar of Companies' (ORC) in Ghana regarding the registration of legal partnerships?

• AIt is the statutory body responsible for registering incorporated partnerships under Act…
• BIt is a subsidiary department of the Ghana Bar Association.
• CIt only registers companies and has no jurisdiction over legal partnerships.
• DIt is the body that administers the bar examinations for GSL students.

If a legal partnership in Ghana is dissolved, what registration step must be taken under the Incorporated Private Partnerships Act, 1962 (Act 152)?

• AA notice of dissolution must be filed with the Registrar of Companies within 14 days.
• BThe partnership is automatically dissolved upon the death of any partner without registra…
• CA notice must be published in three national daily newspapers, and no filing is required.
• DThe partners must obtain a court order from the Supreme Court to validate the dissolution.

Under Rule 7 of the Legal Profession (Professional Conduct and Etiquette) Rules, 2020 (L.I. 2423), which of the following is true regarding advertising by lawyers?

• AAdvertising is permitted if it is dignified, factual, and does not contain comparisons or…
• BAll forms of public communication, including signboards and websites, are strictly prohib…
• CLawyers are allowed to advertise contingency fees on national television and radio withou…
• DA lawyer can claim they are the 'best' or 'most successful' corporate lawyer in Ghana if…

What must a lawyer in Ghana do immediately upon being retained by a new client for a legal matter under L.I. 2423?

• AIssue a formal Letter of Engagement outlining the scope of work and the billing arrangeme…
• BOpen a separate trust bank account for the client's litigation filing fees within 48 hour…
• CRegister the client's name with the Disciplinary Committee of the General Legal Council.
• DPublish a notice of representation in the government Gazette.

Under the fiduciary duties owed to a client, how long does a lawyer's obligation to maintain client confidentiality last in Ghana?

• AIt continues indefinitely, surviving both the termination of the lawyer-client relationsh…
• BIt expires exactly five years after the final invoice has been settled by the client.
• CIt terminates immediately if the lawyer-client relationship is severed due to non-payment…
• DIt lasts for the duration of the litigation and is automatically dissolved once final jud…

When is a lawyer in Ghana legally and ethically permitted to represent two clients whose interests are in direct conflict in a commercial transaction?

• AAlmost never; representation of directly conflicting interests is prohibited unless there…
• BWhenever the transaction involves less than GHS 100,000 in value.
• CIf the lawyer has practiced for more than fifteen years and has established separate team…
• DProvided the lawyer charges the same fee to both clients and does not appear in court.

What is the rule regarding a lawyer in Ghana accepting a substantial testamentary gift under a client's will that the lawyer themselves drafted?

• AIt is ethically prohibited unless the client is a close relative of the lawyer.
• BIt is permitted, provided the client signs a statutory declaration witnessed by a notary…
• CIt is permitted only if the value of the gift does not exceed 10% of the total estate.
• DIt is allowed in all circumstances under the principle of freedom of testation.

What does the practice of 'touting' or 'soliciting' involve under Ghanaian legal ethics, and is it permitted?

• AIt involves actively seeking out clients or using intermediaries to secure business, and…
• BIt refers to representing clients in criminal matters, and is permitted under Act 32.
• CIt involves negotiating out-of-court settlements, and is encouraged under the ADR Act.
• DIt refers to charging contingency fees, and is permitted under Rule 29 of L.I. 2423.

Under the Legal Profession Rules, what must a lawyer do if they receive confidential documents from an opposing party that were clearly sent by mistake?

• APromptly notify the sender and return or destroy the documents without reading them furth…
• BUse the documents to their client's maximum advantage in the pending litigation.
• CFile the documents in court as evidence under the rules of discovery.
• DReport the sender to the GLC Disciplinary Committee for professional negligence.

What is the rule in Browne v. Dunn, and how does it apply to courtroom ethics and witness examination for a lawyer in Ghana?

• AA lawyer must put their case to a witness during cross-examination on any material point…
• BA lawyer must disclose all their client's secrets to the judge in chambers before the tri…
• CA lawyer cannot ask leading questions during cross-examination.
• DA lawyer must withdraw from representation if a witness commits perjury on the stand.

What courtroom attire is prescribed for lawyers appearing in the High Court and other Superior Courts of Judicature in Ghana?

• AGown, wig, bands, and collars, combined with dignified dark-colored business attire.
• BTraditional kente cloth or formal African wear without any colonial robes.
• CA simple dark business suit with a red tie, without any robes or headwear.
• DPrescribed ceremonial robes, which must be rented directly from the Chief Justice's offic…

If a client informs their lawyer that they intend to commit a serious crime in the future, what is the lawyer's ethical position regarding confidentiality under L.I. 2423?

• AThe lawyer is permitted to disclose the information to the extent necessary to prevent th…
• BThe lawyer must remain silent under the absolute rule of legal professional privilege.
• CThe lawyer must assist the client in minimizing the legal risks of the crime without part…
• DThe lawyer must report the client to the Ghana Bar Association within 24 hours.

Under Ghanaian legal ethics, when is a lawyer permitted to communicate directly with a party who is known to be represented by another lawyer in the matter?

• AOnly with the express consent of the other lawyer, or if authorized by law or a court ord…
• BWhenever the client requests the lawyer to do so to speed up negotiations.
• CIf the communication is in writing and copied to the Disciplinary Committee of the GLC.
• DAt any time, provided they do not discuss the merits of the case.

What limits does Rule 29 of L.I. 2423 impose on contingency fee agreements in Ghana?

• AThey must be in writing, must state the percentage (which must be reasonable), and are pr…
• BThey are strictly prohibited in all civil litigation matters.
• CThey can be oral, provided the fee does not exceed 50% of the recovered amount.
• DThey are allowed only if the client pays a non-refundable deposit of GHS 5,000 first.

Under what circumstances is a lawyer in Ghana ethically compelled to withdraw from representing a client?

• AIf the representation will result in a violation of the rules of professional conduct or…
• BIf the client disagrees with the lawyer's tactical choice of courtroom cross-examination…
• CIf the lawyer receives a more lucrative offer of representation from a competing party in…
• DIf the judge suggests that the lawyer is likely to lose the case on its merits.

Regarding client file ownership, which documents in a lawyer's possession typically belong to the client upon termination of the retainer?

• ADocuments prepared by the lawyer for which the client has paid, letters received from the…
• BThe lawyer's private search notes, rough drafts, and internal firm memos.
• COnly documents that were originally provided to the lawyer by the client.
• DAll documents, including the lawyer's personal diaries and internal financial spreadsheet…

What is the ethical status of a lawyer's professional undertaking in Ghana, and what are the consequences of a breach?

• AIt is a binding obligation that must be strictly performed; a breach constitutes professi…
• BIt is a statement of intent that can be retracted at any time without penalty if the clie…
• CIt is only binding if it is in writing and sealed by a Commissioner for Oaths.
• DIt is only enforceable in commercial transactions exceeding GHS 50,000.

Under the professional conduct rules in Ghana, may a lawyer share their legal fees with a non-lawyer (such as a paralegal or referral agent)?

• ANo, fee-sharing with non-lawyers is strictly prohibited to preserve professional independ…
• BYes, provided the fee-sharing ratio is approved by the Ghana Bar Association.
• CYes, if the non-lawyer is a registered employee of the law firm.
• DOnly in commercial debt collection cases where the non-lawyer acted as the investigator.

Which of the following describes the ethical rule on media and press comments by lawyers regarding active, pending court cases in Ghana?

• ALawyers must not make statements to the media that they know or should know have a substa…
• BLawyers have an absolute right under free speech to debate the merits of active cases on…
• CLawyers must obtain prior written approval from the Chief Justice before giving any media…
• DOnly the defense lawyer is allowed to speak to the media; the prosecution is barred entir…

If a conflict arises between a lawyer's duty to their client and their duty to the court, which duty is paramount under Ghanaian legal practice?

• AThe duty to the court is paramount and must prevail.
• BThe duty to the client is paramount, as the lawyer is paid by the client.
• CThe duties are equal, and the lawyer must withdraw immediately without resolving the conf…
• DThe conflict must be resolved by a vote of the partners of the law firm.