The Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE) is a body corporate established by the Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education Act, Chapter 49 of the Laws of Zambia. The flagship programme is the Legal Practitioners’ Qualifying Examination (LPQE) Course, which is meant for university law graduates wishing to be admitted to the Zambian Bar. In addition to the LPQE Course and Legislative Drafting Course, the Institute is mandated to offer training programmes as outlined in Section 4(2) of the Act.
The precursor to the Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE) (hereinafter referred to as an “Institute” was the Law Practice Institute (LPI) established in 1968. The LPI was set up to provide basic training to post – graduate law students in the essentials of legal practice so that after successful completion of the course, they were to be admitted to the Bar to practice in the Zambian common law courts. The scope and functions of the Institute have since 1996 widened to provide national, regional and international post–graduate legal studies and training in Legislative Drafting as well as other courses. With the scope broadening, the Institute has acquired an international status, just as its range of courses has become broad-based since then.
The Institute provides diversified legal training to personnel in private and public institutions with a view to enhancing their managerial and/ or professional skills. Training in this category seeks to improve organisational capacities in leadership, planning, conflict resolution, time management, communication, monitoring and other relevant skills.
One of the key distinguishing characteristics of the Institute is its interdisciplinary, pluralistic and comparative approach to global and local issues pertaining to development. Responding to wider interests in Law, and indeed considering that law covers all aspects of human endeavor the Institute offers short courses in several disciplines such as Human Rights, Public Prosecutions, Cyber Crimes and Computer Forensic, Taxation Law, Criminal Investigations and the Law, Law Firm Management, Labour Law and Industrial Resolutions, Elections Public Order and the Law, Young Politicians and the Law, Public Contracts and Procurement Law, Legal Compliance and Risk Management, and Corporate Governance and the Law. Another distinctive course offered is Legislative Drafting leading to a Postgraduate Diploma Certificate.
The Institute has embarked on major phases of development in line with the 8th National Development Plan (8NDP) in creating conditions to accelerate Zambia’s diversification and inclusive growth agenda. This includes good governance, which entails creating a conducive environment characterised by participation, rule of law, transparency, accountability, consensus-building, responsiveness, equity and inclusiveness, effectiveness and efficiency. ZIALE will also focus on improving the policy and governance environment through legal training programmes, as well as promoting adherence to the rule of law and constitutionalism
