Article 16 — Advocacy Entrance Examination

1/ Any person who meets the requirements of Article 6 Sub-Article (1) of this Proclamation and wishes to engage in the provision of advocacy services shall take the qualification examination for advocacy services; 2/ Notwithstanding the provisions of Sub- Article (1) of this Article, an Ethiopian or a foreign national of Ethiopian origin with first degree in law and served as a law instructor for a minimum of seven years in an Ethiopian Higher Education Institution; or as a judge, public prosecutor, as a legal advisor or legal professional or as an attorney in public services or public enterprises for a minimum of five years; or as assistant judge, as advocates’ assistant or law clerk in a law firm or with an advocate, as well as a legal advisor or as a professional in the field of law or as an attorney in civil societies, religious institutions, international organizations, business organizations and in other institutions for a minimum of seven years shall be granted advocacy license without having to take the advocacy examination if he applies within one year of leaving his post; 3/ Notwithstanding the provisions of Sub- Article (2) of this Article, an advocate with first degree in law and who served as a Federal First Instance Court Advocate for five years, may be granted the All Federal Courts Advocacy License without having to take the advocacy qualification examination leaving his advocacy service; 4/ The Attorney General shall issue an Advocacy License to the person who is allowed to take the license by the Advocacy License Evaluation Committee.