The Future of the Legal Profession

A RLJ discussion paper on the future of the law profession from the perspective of a Rhodesian lawyer.In October 1969 the Law Society of Rhodesia organized its first summer school, at which the following paper was read. It suggests that the profession should adapt itself to the developments which are affecting all professions—the explosions of knowledge and legislation and the management and computer revolutions—but should maintain its identity. In maintaining its identity the profession should be alive to these developments so that it can offer new services to the public within the area of its existing skills, but it should maintain the existing separation between the Bar and Side Bar with sufficient re-allocation of the existing duties to increase its efficiency. Entry to the Side Bar by way of articles should be abolished, and the only method of entry should be by way of a law degree followed by a one year common training course followed by one year's articles