ABOUT LAZ
The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) is a professional corporate body established in 1973 by the Law Association of Zambia Act, Chapter 31 of the Laws of Zambia. Its predecessor was the Law Society of Zambia which was established by the Law Society of Zambia (Private) Act Chapter 47 of the repealed Edition of the Laws of Zambia.
LAZ represents the legal profession in Zambia and the Association currently has a membership of more than 1,000 legal practitioners.
The Association has a “vision”, “mission” and “core values” which exemplify the basis upon which it was founded.
LAZ Objectives
The objects for which the Association was established by Section 4 of Chapter 31 are:
a) To further the development of law as an instrument of social order and justice and as an essential element in the growth of society.
b) To provide a means by which lawyers, whatever their particular field of activity, can participate together fully and effectively in the development of society and its institutions.
c) To encourage lawyers as individuals to join actively in the life of, and identity themselves with people and to utilise their skills and training in their service.
d) To promote the education of lawyers at all stages and levels with particular emphasis on the broadening of such education.
e) To consider the qualifications of lawyers and to make recommendations to the government thereon.
f) To maintain and improve the standard of conduct of all members of the legal profession.
g) To consider the legislation relating to legal aid and other ways of securing representation for persons who for any reason are unable to secure it, and to make recommendations to the government on matters thereon.
h) To co-operate with other professional organisation and bodies.
i) To promote research and development of the law in general and particularly in relation to:
i. the applicability and suitability of received law.
ii. the character and content of Customary Law.
iii. the influence of industrial, commercial and technological
development on society and it’s institutions.
j) To promote the reform of the law, both by the amendment of and the removal of the imperfections in the existing law, by the re-formulation, codification, or restatement of particular branches of the law.
k) To participate, when called upon in draft legislation and to strengthen the machinery for the critical examination of it’s legal quality.
l) To seek advancement of the rule of law of the rights and liberties of the individual.
m) To promote the improvement and reform of the judicial and administrative systems, including tribunals and their procedure.
n) To represent, protect and assist the members of the legal profession in regard to their conditions of practice, remuneration and otherwise.
o) To protect and assist the public in all matters touching on and ancillary or incidental to the legal profession; and
p) To do all such other things as may be conducive to the attainment of the afore-going objects.
MEMBERSHIP
The membership of LAZ consists of ordinary members, and associate members.
Ordinary Membership-
to qualify to be an ordinary member of the Association, one must be ordinarily resident in Zambia and and must be qualified to practice law in Zambia or elsewhere; or must have been awarded a degree of Bachelor of Law or other degree or a qualification acceptable to the Association for the purpose of membership.
Associate Membership- to qualify for Associate Membership, one must be a student of law; a clerk as defined by the Legal Practitioners Act; engaged in a program of study acceptable to the Association for the purpose of membership; or a managing clerk engaged by a legal practitioner in Zambia.
How to be a Member:
- Ordinary membership
Legal Practitioners renewal of Practicing Certificates for the year 2017
- Associate Membership
Write an application letter addressed to the Honorary Secretary– Midlands, Mr. Silas Mambwe, C/o LAZ Secretariat, No. 1 Lagos Road, Rhodes Park, Po. Box 35271, Lusaka. For the members’ based on the Copperbelt, address and submit your applications to the Honorary Secretary– Copperbelt, Mr. Samuel Twumasi, C/o Messrs Kitwe Chambers, Permanent House, City Square, Kitwe. Submit with the application letter two passport size photos; the certificates that qualify you to apply, or if applying on the basis of being a student, a recommendation letter from your University; and the application fee. Application is open all year round
Please contact the Secretariat for further details on how to be a member.
The Annual General Meeting:
The Association’s main policy-making body is the Annual General Meeting (AGM). At the AGM held in April of every year, the Association elects an Executive. The Executive comprises the President, Vice-President, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer and twelve Council members who manage the affairs of the Association. It has since been resolved that the Executive Committee will be elected every other year, with the next elections scheduled to be held in 2018.