RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT (RPC) 2023 AND SHARIAH IN NIGERIA: NAVIGATING THROUGH LEGAL, ETHICAL AND OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES

Abstract

The central thrust of this paper is to make an appraisal of the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) 2023 and Shariah in Nigeria by navigating through legal, ethical and operational challenges. The role of the lawyer is to uphold the rule of law, to protect the rights of the individual, and to ensure that justice is done. The emergence of a digital age, the phenomenon of social media, the broad expansion of professional development for lawyers; all raise ethical issues especially in a pluralistic society. Using the doctrinal research methodology, the paper discussed amongst others; Ethical Conducts in Nigeria, Regulation of Practice by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) through the Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) Rules, 2025, the MCPD Rules, Ethics under Shariah, Basis of Ethics in Shariah, Ethical Principles under Shariah, Areas of Convergence and Divergence between the RPC 2023 and Shariah Etiquettes, Navigating Through Legal, Ethical, and Operational Challenges, Obstacles to Legal Practice in Nigeria, Legislative and Policy Considerations Guide. The paper observed that professional conduct amongst legal practitioners in Nigeria is dwindling and concluded amongst others that it is crucial that ethical issues be made part of everyday life discussion among lawyers in Nigeria. The paper recommended amongst others that recognizing the dynamic nature of legal practice, continuous legal education and training in legal ethics must continually be enhanced, that the RPC Rules and Shariah etiquettes should be a walking companion for all lawyers while breaches should be reported to the appropriate disciplinary body and appropriately dealt with.