Siaya Senator James Orengo, a senior counsel.[Photo/update.co.ke]
The term Senior Counsel is now common among Kenyans. During the Presidential petition hearing last year, a number of lawyers were addressed as Senior Counsel.
The question among many Kenyans is what makes a lawyer Senior Counsel.
James Orengo, Afmednassir Abduallahi and Paul Muite are among the notable individuals in the Senior Counsel’s club.
So, how does a lawyer become a senior counsel?
Senior Counsel is equivalent to the rank of Queen’s Counsel in the United Kingdom and some Commonwealth jurisdictions.
The position was first introduced in country in February 2003.
Previously, to qualify as Senior Counsel one was required to have served as chair of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).
However, the rules were changed in October 2008 when Okong’o Omogeni was elected as the LSK president.
The Omogeni Regulations, titled Senior Counsel (Conferment and Privileges) Rules, stipulated that LSK chairpersons would no longer routinely qualify for the prestigious title.
In the new laws, all lawyers would have to apply for consideration.
After application, a committee comprising the Attorney General, LSK chairman, a Court of Appeal and a High Court judge, three Senior Counsel, and four advocates would vet applicants.
To qualify, one must have 15 years’ experience as an advocate of the High Court, be a legal practitioner who undertakes training of junior members and has also argued serious and precedent-setting suits before superior courts.