An Accra-based journalist, Frankie Asare-Donkoh, has called on Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, to clarify claims regarding his qualification as a solicitor in England and Wales following his recent graduation from the University of Law.

Mr. George recently announced that he had earned a Master of Laws (LLM) degree in Professional Legal Practice from the University of Law, stating that the qualification “qualifies me as a Solicitor of England and Wales.”

Reacting to the statement, Dr. Asare-Donkoh congratulated the Minister on his academic achievement but argued that the claim could be misleading if not properly clarified.

According to him, an LLM degree is primarily an academic qualification and does not automatically grant the right to practise law as a solicitor in England and Wales.

He explained that under the requirements of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), prospective solicitors must complete additional professional requirements before being authorised to practise.

These requirements, he noted, include passing the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), completing qualifying work experience, and meeting character and suitability assessments, including criminal background checks conducted through the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Dr. Asare-Donkoh stated that while some LLM programmes are designed to prepare students for the SQE examinations, the degree itself does not automatically confer a practising licence.

He therefore called on Mr. George to publicly clarify whether he has completed all the necessary professional examinations and regulatory requirements required to practise as a solicitor in England and Wales.

The journalist maintained that such clarification would help provide accurate information to the public while preserving the distinction between academic legal qualifications and professional legal licensing.

https://www.sra.org.uk/become-solicitor/legal-practice-course-route/becoming-solicitor-legal-practice-course-transitional-requirements/