Lexserve Trust is a charitable Trust registered in the Republic of Kenya and is based in Nairobi. The Trust aims to make an impact in the legal sector by promoting among other things, the advancement of Justice and Legal Ethics, the Rule of Law and Constitutionalism in Kenya, Judicial Integrity, access to Legal Aid and Consumer Protection, and Legal Ethics and Access to Justice.
Mission
To be the leading champions in advancing the Rule of Law, Constitutionalism & advocating for the transformation of the Justice & Legal sector in the Republic of Kenya
Vision
To transform the legal sector through pushing for equality under the law, independent judiciary, embracing legal technology and accessible legal remedy.
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Our Projects
The Trust intends to initiate a series of annual colloquiums on the promotion of Legal Ethics and Access to Justice. This project will be focused on opening up discussions between practitioners in order for them to appreciate the importance of adhering to the standards of professional ethics in a bid to enhance the ethical standards of the legal profession. This project is also aimed as setting in motion the practice of the canons of professional ethics that have been taught to lawyers in order to achieve standards that are true to the legal profession.
The Project aims to analyze the state of the Rule of Law in Kenya and ensure that there is an engagement of key institutions in the legal and justice sector for the advancement of the rule of law in Kenya.
Aims to address the concerns of the declining judicial accountability and independence in Kenya. The Project will involve various stakeholders including Judges and Magistrates, Court Staff and Advocates. To address the concerns about the Judiciary, there will be surveys conducted in relation to the functioning of the courts and concerns raised will be addressed directly with the concerned stakeholders.
It is aimed at creating awareness to the members of the public on the various channels for seeking legal redress. This project will create a link between the members of the public and institutions where they can get legal assistance. There will also be creation of a resource document that provides all the necessary information with regard to the proper channels for launching consumer complaints, access to legal aid and pro bono legal services.
What We Have Done
Our Activities
In September 2020, through our Chairman Mr. Charles Kanjama; an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya- we instituted a Judicial Review application in the High Court of Kenya in the case HCJR MISC E038 OF 2020: Republic Vs Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Education & 2 Others Ex Parte Charles Kanjama where the concerning the critical issue of reopening of schools in Kenya which had remained closed since March 2020. The Application above was filed in light of the constitutional requirement to provide education to children as part of their best interests. The matter was resolved and a consent entered between Mr. Kanjama, the Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Education, the Kenya National Examinations Council and the Attorney General whereby schools engaged in basic education under the Basic Education Act have been allowed to reopen and a phased resumption of learning has been implemented in schools all over Kenya.
In February, 2021, we instituted a Judicial Review application in the High Court Judicial Review No. E024 of 2021: R Vs the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission & Another where the process of the verification of signatures supporting the Building Bridges Initiative Constitutional Amendment Bill 2020. The matter is currently listed for hearing on January 18th to 20th January 2022 at the Supreme Court of Kenya.
We held our first colloquium on 5th March, 2021 which was to open up a discussion on the application of Legal Ethics in Kenya with lessons being drawn from the works of Deborah Rhode a Stanford University Lecturer(deceased) who greatly contributed to the field of legal ethics. The colloquium was organized in collaboration with Strathmore Law School, African Nazarene University Law School, University of Nairobi Law School and Platform Magazine.
Here we can have the video of the colloquium on the site:
Among the speakers included Prof. Patricia Kameri Mbote, Prof. Jason Solomon, Dr. Willy Mutunga, Lady Justice Lydia Achode, Dr. Mercy Deche, Prof. Luis Franceschi, Prof. Albert Mumma, Dr. Elizabeth Muli, Dr. Peter Kwenjera, Dr. Duncan Ojwang, Christine Agimba, James Nyiha and Karim Anjarwalla.
We have consequently held monthly follow up webinars to our legal ethics Colloquium involving members of the Academia, the practice and the judiciary; “Misperceptions & Bringing Ethical Practice into the Light”.
We conducted a legal aid day on 28th October 2021 during the legal awareness week 2021 at the Nairobi Remand and Allocation– in partnership with Legal Resources Foundation, CLEAR Kenya and Resources Oriented Development Initiatives (RODI)– to promote Legal aid & access to justice Prison aimed at enlightening the pretrial detainees on case management and case follow up within the criminal justice system.
We conducted a survey and submitted the feedback to Parliament and the Judicial Service Commission on the suitability of the candidates for the position of Chief Justice which was done by circulating a questionnaire to the Lawyers in Kenya. The purpose of the survey was to enhance public participation of Lawyers and to obtain their views and assessment of the various candidates that were being interviewed. This exercise was premised on the ground that pursuant to Article 10 of the Constitution of Kenya, public participation is one of the National Values and Principles of Governance
More About Us
~Hear from our Programme Lead
Our Trustees
More than legal advice
Charles Kanjama, SC
Chairperson
Charles is a Senior Counsel and an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with over 19 years’ experience. He has actively been engaged in various management capacities. He is currently the Chairperson of Nairobi Legal Awards and Kenya Christian Professionals Forum. In addition, is the former Chairman, Law Society of Kenya- Nairobi Branch. He is a member of various professional bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), a member of the Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya (ICPSK) and the Certified Public Accountants of Kenya.
Andrew Muma
Trustee
Andrew is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with 19 years’ experience. He holds a Masters in Intellectual Property Law and is currently pursuing his Doctor of Laws, LLD from the University of Nairobi. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), a Lecturer at University of Nairobi Law School and the Vice Chairperson of the Business Permit and Rent Tribunal.
Douglas Gichuki
Trustee
Douglas is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with over 10 years’ experience. He has been a lecturer at Jomo Kenyatta University (Karen Law Campus), and Kenyatta University (Parklands Law Campus) and Strathmore University Law School teaching modules in IT and Law, Intellectual Property Law, Tort Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution and Medicine, Law and Ethics. He holds a Doctorate from the University of Cape Town.
Advisory Board
To fulfill our mission and vision, we established the Judicial Integrity Advisory Board, which is comprised of seven (7) members who have an impeccable character and resolve; and always endeavor to a progressive and transformative Judiciary.
The board is involved in:
- To oversee the stewardship, accountability and leadership on the Project.
- Providing clear sighted counsel on the strategic and alignment of the Judicial Integrity Project to its Vision, Values and Purpose.
- Set and monitor standards on the maintenance of strong relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders that are important collaborators in the Accountability and Independence of the Judiciary.
- Advocating and defending the Accountability and Independence of the Judiciary at all times including when it is under threat.
- Engaging various stakeholders in the justice system such as the Judiciary and members of the bar.