Zambian law leader chooses Scotland for executive internship

A leading figure from a law association in Africa has chosen Scotland and its Law Society for a three-week executive internship in Scotland to learn lessons on how to build capacity in his home country.

Edward Sakala, Executive Director of the Law Association of Zambia, is the recipient of the inaugural LexisNexis/Institute of Law Association Chief Executives CEO Bursary in support of the rule of law. The bursary which provides the opportunity to spend time with a law society in a developed jurisdiction. Having considered several available options he chose to spend time with the Law Society of Scotland as it was the organisation he felt he would gain the most from working with.

Chief Executive Lorna Jack said “I’m delighted to welcome Edward to Scotland. It was great news that of all the jurisdictions available, one of my international colleagues has chosen to spend his time learning from us in Scotland.

“Scotland is a world-leading legal jurisdiction and we aim to be the truly innovative world-class professional body it deserves. We work extensively with our colleagues across the world to share examples of best practice and develop solutions to common challenges. The fact that Edward has chosen to visit to learn from Scotland shows how our jurisdiction, our profession and us as their professional body are held in such high regard by our peers around the world.”

Mr Sakala has set out an ambitious programme of areas he hopes to learn from his colleagues at the Law Society of Scotland, including how it delivers online services; how it leads CPD for its current members and education and training for the next generation; its work on access to justice and legal aid; its approach to cybercrime; and how it supports wellbeing in the profession.

Following his arrival in Edinburgh, Mr Sakala said he was looking forward to learning from colleagues in Scotland. He said: “The bursary award is an excellent opportunity to learn how a larger and more developed law society operates and how we can drive improvement in Zambia. I chose the Law Society of Scotland because they seem to have succeeded in all the ways I want to do in my own jurisdiction.”