Rule 6 Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners

Rule 6 of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners (RPC) 2023 is about Retirement from judicial position or public employment. It is under Part 1 (Practice as a Legal Practitioner) of Chapter 1 (Conduct) of the Rules. It provides as follows:

(1) A lawyer shall not accept employment as an advocate in any matter upon the merits of which he had previously acted in a judicial capacity.

(2) A lawyer having once held public office or having been in the public employment shall not, after his retirement, accept employment in connection with a matter in respect of which he had previously acted in a judicial capacity, or on the merit of which he had advised or dealt with in such office or employment.

(3) A judicial officer who has retired shall not practice as an advocate in any Court of Law or Judicial tribunal in Nigeria.

(4) A judicial officer who has retired shall not sign any pleading in any court.

(5) A judicial officer who has retired may continue to use the word “Justice” as part of his name.