Powers, Duties, Qualifications and Criteria for Attaining Senior Counsel Rank in Kenya

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) released an official list on October 21 of 146 advocates seeking conferment of the prestigious rank of Senior Counsel (SC) in the 2026 selection cycle.

The applicants include Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata and Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga.

Other notable applicants are veteran lawyers Dr John Khaminwa, Danstan Omari, Donald B. Kipkorir and Dinesh Kapila.

The list also includes former LSK President Faith Odhiambo, constitutional lawyer Ekuru Aukot, former Deputy Chief Justice Nancy Baraza, and former National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende. Legal scholar Prof. Ben Sihanya and lawyer Gitobu Imanyara are also among those seeking the rank.

Senior Counsel 2026: Eligibility and Criteria

Under the Advocates (Senior Counsel Conferment and Privileges) Rules, an applicant must:

• Meet the requirements set out under Section 17(2) of the Advocates Act.
• Be an active legal practitioner who trains other members of the legal profession.
• Hold a valid practising certificate or be legally entitled to act as an advocate under Section 10 of the Act at the time of application.
• Have no finding of professional misconduct by the Disciplinary Committee established under the Act.
• Demonstrate sound knowledge of the law and professional competence.
• Have argued a substantive matter before a superior, regional or international court.
• Demonstrate integrity, irreproachable professional conduct and good character.
• Have actively served the Law Society of Kenya or another qualifying regional or international bar association, or undertaken community service.
• Have contributed to the development of the legal profession through scholarly writings and presentations.

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Privileges and Powers

A person conferred with the rank of Senior Counsel is entitled to use the title “Senior Counsel” or the abbreviation “SC”.

Senior Counsel are also entitled to precedence when their cases are being mentioned in court or before a tribunal. When appearing in court in robes, they may wear a gown and court-sleeved waistcoat similar to those worn by Court of Appeal judges.

Additionally, Senior Counsel have the exclusive right to sit within the designated Bar area in courts where a physical barrier separates them from other advocates. In courts without such a designated area, they may sit on the front bench.

“The exclusive right to sit within the Bar in all Courts in which there is a Bar separating the area for Senior Counsel from the general area of the Court. In all other courts to sit on the front bench,” read part of the statement.

The rules also allow the relevant Council to grant Senior Counsel other privileges it considers appropriate.

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Removal from the Roll of Senior Counsel

The Committee on Senior Counsel may remove an advocate’s name from the Roll of Senior Counsel either on its own initiative or following an application by a member of the Law Society of Kenya, if the advocate no longer meets the required eligibility criteria.

A member seeking the removal of a Senior Counsel must submit a written petition to the Committee and provide a copy to the Council. The Committee must then notify the affected Senior Counsel of its intention to remove their name or that it has received a petition.

The Committee must conduct an inquiry into the matter and give the Senior Counsel an opportunity to respond to the allegations before making a decision.

If the Committee determines that the advocate’s name should be removed from the Roll, it must submit its decision, together with reasons, to the Chief Justice and the affected Senior Counsel.

The Chief Justice then forwards the decision to the President, who revokes the conferment of the rank of Senior Counsel.

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