SLBA Urges Law School to Notify All Candidates Amid Complaints Over Unreceived Bar Results

The Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) has raised concerns over reports that some Sierra Leone Law School candidates have yet to receive their 2025/2026 Bar Final Examination results, stressing that every student who sits the examination is entitled to formal notification of their individual outcome, whether they pass or fail.

The Association’s concerns follow complaints from students about the publication of the results and a notice issued by the Sierra Leone Law School on 9 November 2026, stating that the results had been sent to candidates by email on 7 November.

According to the Law School’s notice, candidates who have not received their results may have failed the examination, failed to provide an email address, supplied an incorrect email address or have outstanding tuition fees.

However, the SLBA says this approach leaves affected candidates uncertain about whether they have failed, are affected by an administrative error or have outstanding fees.

The Association says the Bar Final Examination is a critical requirement for admission to the legal profession and that its administration must be transparent, fair and accountable to maintain public confidence in legal education and the legal profession.

It has therefore urged the Registrar of the Sierra Leone Law School to ensure that every candidate receives individual written notification of their examination result, regardless of the outcome.

The SLBA has also called for a formal written procedure, with clear timelines, through which candidates can submit complaints and grievances, in addition to the limited in-person consultation period currently provided.

It further urged the Law School to engage transparently with affected candidates and keep them informed of developments.

The Association said that, in its capacity as a statutory member of the Council of Legal Education, it is engaging with relevant stakeholders to establish the facts and secure a prompt and fair resolution of the matter.

The SLBA reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the integrity of legal education, upholding professional standards and ensuring that the interests of examination candidates and the wider legal profession receive due consideration.