The Council of Legal Education (CLE) has extended the registration deadline for the November 2026 Advocates Training Programme (ATP) examinations to Tuesday, October 27.
In a notice issued on Tuesday, October 20, the council directed candidates who intend to sit the examinations to complete registration within the revised timeline.
CLE cautioned that no further extension would be granted after the new closing date.
“The Council of Legal Education (CLE) has extended the deadline for Registration for November 2026 ATP Examination to Tuesday, 27th October 2026. Interested candidates are required to register within the timelines as no further extension shall be granted,” the council wrote.
The Kenya School of Law (KSL) located in Karen, Nairobi.
The Standard
The council has also opened a deferral window for registered candidates who are unable to sit the November examinations.
Applications for deferral must be submitted through individual candidate portals, with any relevant supporting documents attached.
Candidates have until October 27 to request a deferral, after which late applications will not be accepted.
Those granted permission to defer must use the arrangement within two years, equivalent to four ATP examination cycles.
They will also be required to register for the deferred examination unit during the examination series in which they are ready to sit.
Candidates seeking clarification have been advised to contact CLE through its official support email, indicating their registration numbers in the subject line.
Meanwhile, CLE announced that candidates gazetted in October 2026 can collect their Certificates of Compliance and final transcripts from its offices between October 26 and 28, with collection required in person unless prior written authorisation is granted for a representative.
The announcements come as the legal education sector faces uncertainty over admissions following a dispute involving the Kenya School of Law (KSL).
On October 15, KSL announced the temporary suspension of applications for its 2027/2028 ATP intake following interim High Court orders concerning disputed admission requirements.
The court had issued the orders on October 6, barring KSL and CLE from admitting students under the contested criteria pending further directions.
A group of law students being admitted to as Advocates of High Court, July 2024.
Photo
Faith Odhiambo