The release of the 2025/2026 Sierra Leone Law School Bar Final Examination results has triggered renewed concerns over the quality of professional legal education, academic performance and institutional accountability, with only 120 candidates reportedly passing out of 641 registered candidates.
The results, released after more than four months of waiting, have intensified scrutiny of the Council of Legal Education and the Sierra Leone Law School, particularly amid recent leadership changes and concerns surrounding the institution’s academic administration.
According to reported examination figures, 120 candidates passed, 306 failed outright, while 170 failed one or two modules and will be required to resit the affected subjects. Another 45 candidates were absent, bringing the number who sat the examinations to 596 and placing the pass rate at approximately 20.1 per cent.
The high failure rate has raised questions about teaching standards, examination procedures, student preparedness and the adequacy of academic support provided throughout the professional training programme.
The Sierra Leone Law School announced that examination results were emailed to candidates on November 7, 2026. In a subsequent notice issued on November 8, the institution identified examination failure, missing or incorrect email addresses and outstanding tuition fees as possible reasons why some candidates had not received their results.
The communication arrangement attracted criticism from the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA), which, on November 11, 2026, called for greater transparency and fairness in communicating examination outcomes.
In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Caroline A. B. Sesay, the Association maintained that every candidate deserved formal and individual written notification of their results, regardless of their performance.
The Association argued that candidates should not be left to determine their academic standing through the absence of email notifications, particularly when administrative errors or outstanding financial obligations could account for the situation.
It further urged the Registrar of the Sierra Leone Law School to establish a formal complaints and grievances mechanism, with clearly defined timelines for addressing candidates’ concerns.
The Sierra Leone Bar Association disclosed that, as a statutory member of the Council of Legal Education, it was engaging relevant stakeholders to establish the facts and facilitate a fair and timely resolution.
Meanwhile, the controversy comes against the backdrop of significant administrative changes at the institution. In March 2026, the Council of Legal Education reportedly referred concerns involving former Director, Dr. Abu Bakarr Bangura, to the Anti-Corruption Commission for investigation.
Following the resignation of Dr. Abu Bakarr Bangura, which became effective on June 30, 2026, the Council appointed Justice Fatmata Bintu Alhadi as Acting Director and Emmanuel Sahr Tondoneh as Assistant Acting Director.
However, allegations concerning the former administration remain distinct from established findings and must be addressed through appropriate legal procedures.
Concerns have also emerged over delays affecting the 2026/2027 academic calendar, including entrance examinations and the commencement of lectures.
The Law School has announced that retake examinations will commence on November 16, 2026, with affected candidates required to pay NLe2,000 per subject.
While the retake examinations provide another opportunity for candidates to fulfil their professional requirements, the overall results underscore the need for an evidence-based assessment of the institution’s academic and administrative practices.
Attention now remains focused on the Council of Legal Education and the Sierra Leone Law School to address the concerns, strengthen institutional governance, improve examination management and restore public confidence in professional legal education across Sierra Leone.
