The drastic decision by the new LSK council comes almost a year after the Committee on Senior Counsel chaired by Supreme Court judge Justice Mohamed Ibrahim completed the process of identifying the 24.
Besides Mr Kipkorir’s grievances over the nominations, the new LSK council chaired by Nelson Havi, in a letter to lawyers, said there had also been contention over the composition of the committee and the impartiality of its members in particular, the three judges who were members.
The judges in the committee were Justice Ibrahim, Justice Martha Koome, representing the Court of Appeal, and Justice Jacqueline Kamau, representing the High Court
“Concerns were and continue to be raised on the validity of the Advocates (Senior Counsel Conferment and Privileges) Rules, 2011.
Going forward, LSK now wants legal opinions to be sought from three advocates appointed by the council, two of who are Senior Counsel, on what changes should be made in the rules to guarantee fairness and integrity of the process.
In fact, The Advocates (Senior Counsel Conferment And Privileges) Rules, 2011 states that besides one using the designation of Senior Counsel or its abbreviation, SC, any other privileges have been left to LSK Council to determine.
