The Kenya School of Law (KSL) has temporarily suspended applications for its 2027/2028 Advocates Training Programme (ATP) following interim orders issued by the High Court in a dispute over admission requirements.
In a notice to prospective students on Thursday, October 15, the institution said the suspension would remain in place until the court provides further directions.
“The Kenya School of Law hereby informs all prospective applicants and other stakeholders that, following the issuance of interim orders by the High Court in relation to the advertised ATP intake, the receipt of applications for admission to the ATP Class of 2027/2028 academic year has been temporarily suspended pending further directions from the Court and the determination of the matter,” the notice stated.
Applications for the next ATP intake were initially set to close on November 13, but the suspension has left prospective students uncertain about next steps and when the admission process will resume.
A group of law students being admitted to as Advocates of High Court, July 2024.
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Faith Odhiambo
KSL apologised for the inconvenience caused by the suspension, saying it would give updates through its official channels as the legal proceedings continue.
“Further updates will be communicated through the School’s official communication channels as appropriate,” the institution wrote.
On October 6, Justice John Onyiego issued conservatory orders preventing KSL and the Council of Legal Education (CLE) from admitting students under the disputed requirements.
The orders followed a legal challenge to revised entry criteria introduced by KSL for the upcoming academic year.
The petitioners argued that substantive changes to admission standards cannot be introduced through an annual intake notice without following the legally prescribed regulatory process, including parliamentary approval.
Consequently, the court had directed the respondents to file their responses within seven days and scheduled the matter for priority consideration, with a hearing set for October 13.
To gain entry into the ATP, candidates were usually required to attain a minimum KCSE mean grade of C+ and a B plain in English or Kiswahili, alongside other conditions.
However, KSL’s revised notice introduced alternative routes, including provisions for certain law graduates with lower secondary school grades and applicants who pass a Pre-Bar Examination.
KSL’s notice did not mention any changes to applications for the January 2027 Pre-Bar Examination, which had been opened alongside the ATP intake and are scheduled to close on December 11.
An undated image of a legal scale and a gavel.
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JSC