Call for application for admission to the Rwanda Bar Association

The Rwanda Bar Association (RBA) invites qualified legal professionals who wish to pursue a career as Advocates to submit their applications for admission. This application process is open to individuals seeking admission to either the Roll of Advocates or the List of Intern Advocates. Applications will be received at the RBA Secretariat, located in Kicukiro, KK 500 Street, from July 25th to August 15th, 2025, with the deadline set at 12:00 noon on the final day.

About the Rwanda Bar Association (RBA)

The Rwanda Bar Association (RBA) is the professional body that regulates the legal profession in Rwanda. Established by law, the RBA is responsible for overseeing the admission, discipline, and practice of Advocates in the country. Its primary mission is to ensure the delivery of quality legal services, uphold the rule of law, and promote justice, integrity, and professionalism within the legal community.

Rwanda Bar Association

The RBA operates as an autonomous institution with the legal mandate to:

  • Examine and admit qualified legal practitioners to the Roll of Advocates or the List of Intern Advocates
  • Regulate and monitor the professional conduct of its members
  • Offer continuing legal education (CLE) to enhance the skills and ethical standards of Advocates
  • Protect the rights and independence of lawyers in their professional duties
  • Collaborate with national and international legal institutions to strengthen the justice sector

Membership in the RBA is a legal requirement for any lawyer wishing to practice law as an Advocate in Rwanda. The association plays a critical role in promoting access to justice, particularly through its support for legal aid initiatives and public interest litigation.

The RBA is headquartered in Kicukiro District, Kigali, and serves as the central institution for all matters relating to legal practice and professional ethics in Rwanda.

Opportunity description

Applicants are strongly advised to read and understand all requirements before submitting their applications. Only those applications that are complete and that fully comply with legal and procedural standards will be considered.

For the application to be valid, the following documents must be included:

  • Application Letter addressed to the President of the Rwanda Bar Association, clearly indicating whether the applicant seeks admission to the Roll of Advocates or the List of Intern Advocates.
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV) that is comprehensive and up to date.
  • Notarized Copy of Law Degree(s), specifically a Bachelor’s degree in Law or an equivalent qualification recognized by the Rwanda Higher Education Council.
  • Certified Copy of Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice (DLP) or an equivalent qualification certified by the Rwanda Higher Education Council.
  • Proof of Identity, either a valid national ID card or a passport.
  • Valid Criminal Record Certificate, issued by a competent authority and valid at the date of submission.
  • Proof of Reciprocity (for foreign applicants), demonstrating that Rwandan nationals are eligible for similar admission in the applicant’s home country.
  • Statement of Non-Conviction, a signed written declaration confirming that the applicant has never been subject to disciplinary or administrative sanctions for gross misconduct or criminal conviction, whether in Rwanda or abroad. If previously convicted, the applicant must show proof of pardon or rehabilitation. A template for this declaration is attached to the official call for application.
  • One recent passport-sized photograph, in color and taken on a white background.
  • Letter from Bar Association or Law Society, if the applicant is a practicing advocate in their home country.
  • Proof of Payment of Application Fee, which is a non-refundable fee of 200,000 Rwandan Francs (RWF). The payment must be made to the Rwanda Bar Association’s bank account:

v  Account Number: 100012233196 (RWF)

v  Bank: Bank of Kigali (BK)

v  SWIFT Code: BKIGRWRW

Any questions or clarifications should be directed to the RBA Secretariat by telephone at +250 788 371 464 or via email at adminass@rwandabar.org.rw.

This call was officially issued in Kigali on July 28th, 2025, and signed by Advocate Moïse Nkundabarashi, President of the Rwanda Bar Association.

 

 

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