methods in dealing with such studies, limitations can be experienced in thoroughly investigating contextual issues (Yin, 2003: 13). This view is also supported by Kumar (2005: 113) when he observed that by providing the opportunity for an in-depth analysis of a research topic, case study methods are highly specific by which data generated from the methods can provide a basis for further inquiry to the findings of the study. Consequently, the application of a case study method in conducting this study has helped in providing a better insight into the context of IL in the legal workplace in Nigeria.
4.4.2. The law firms
The law firms under study comprised a list of accredited law firms in Nigeria compiled by the Nigerian Law School as placement areas for the aspirant barristers within the course year. This list was representative of the six geo-political zones in Nigeria. According to Oko (1994: 113- 115), the nature of private legal practice in Nigeria is organised in the following forms:
Solo practice – This is basically a one person practice and cases are limited to the provision of routine legal services. They handle petty legal cases such as eviction cases, actions for arrears of rent, handling and defence of minor criminal charges in magistrate courts.
Chambers – These are usually established by more experienced lawyers who employ other younger lawyers like those newly graduated from the Nigerian Law School who by working in these firms are able to develop more practical skills. Such junior lawyers are employed on a fixed salary and their number depends on the volume of legal business coming into the chambers. The nature of cases undertaken and clients are determined by the owner of the firm (Oko, 1994: 113).
Partnership – Legal partnership is another form of arrangement involving two or more lawyers. This kind of partnership agreement usually provides for the sharing of income, duties and obligations of each partner. The advantages of this setting include prospects of more diverse clientele, greater income, more possibilities for specialisation, and
opportunities to exchange ideas with colleagues (Oditah, 2006: Expanding the scope of law practice in Nigeria).
Other forms of practice settings could also involve office sharing without the necessary commitment of a joint partnership.
As part of the practical content of the curriculum of the Nigerian Law School, aspirant barristers are usually assigned to any of these types of law firms to gain practical experience in legal practice (Oditah, 2006: Expanding the scope of law practice in Nigeria).
Law firms in Nigeria are strategically located to attract clients. Large metropolitan cities such as Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano and Abuja provide access to a wide variety of legal businesses because of the location of key federal government ministries and corporate headquarters of
multi-national corporations. This situation provides lawyers with the opportunity for professional growth and a broader base for close contact with influential clients, particularly the political and business class (Oko, 1994: 107, 116). Similarly, the nature of a lawyer's clientele influences the likelihood of specialisation in any aspect of law. The Legal Practitioners Act of 1962 (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (1990: 155) which regulates the practice of law in Nigeria does not restrict legal practice to any field of law hence most law firms in Nigeria are involved in general practice, that is, they are involved in various aspects of the legal profession such as corporate law, criminal law, family law, labour law, property law and so on. This practice has also been influenced by the nature of the demand for legal services in the country which may inform the choice of area of practice of a law firm (Oko, 1994: 109). However, in the past few years, the increasing complexity of legal practice due to developments in ICT and the globalised nature of current legal practice, which has increased the demand for high quality services and proficiency in certain areas of law, has led to an increase in specialised legal practice in the various aspects of law in the country (Oko, 1994: 123; Akhihiero, 2009: 20).
The legal profession in Nigeria plays an important role in ensuring the development of an effective judicial system and the entrenchment of democracy and social justice, hence concerns about the falling standards of legal education in Nigeria are well founded because the quality of graduate lawyers is directly related to the quality of the judicial system (Oditah, 2006: Reforming legal practice in Nigeria; Oba, 2007: 24). Accordingly, it cannot be over emphasised that the urgency for current transformations in the legal education system needs to be more all-
encompassing and comprehensive especially with regard to skills development for professional legal practice (See section 3.5 in chapter three of the study). In this regard, the choice of the study population for this study is relevant in addressing the objectives of the study, particularly with respect to identifying the extent to which professional legal training by the Nigerian Law School equips aspirant barristers with skills and competencies for legal practice and also in assessing the nature of collaboration that is needed between legal practitioners and the Nigerian Law School in facilitating skills training for the legal profession in Nigeria.