The National Client Interviewing and Counseling Skills Competition (NCCC) is an annual competition that aims to promote greater knowledge and interest among law students to develop interviewing, planning, analytical and preventive (ADR) skills in the lawyer-client relationship in the office. Too often, it is assumed that lawyers have the listening and questioning skills needed to conduct an effective interview. Regrettably, not all lawyers possess these skills. The competition also provides a valuable educational and cultural interchange among students, law teachers and legal practitioners. 

The 1st edition of the NCCC was held at the University of Maiduguri on February 17-18, 2006. Five universities including the Nigerian Law School Kano Campus participated in this edition. Aminu Hassan Gamawa and Daniel H. Bwala (University of Maiduguri) emerged winners and represented Nigeria at the international competition held in Cardiff, Wales.

The competition simulates a law office scene in which law students, acting as lawyers, are presented with a client matter. They conduct an interview with a person playing the role of a client and then explain how they would help resolve the clients matter. To give effective advice and counsel to clients, lawyers need to appreciate the client as a person with a legal problem. Therefore they need to be able to:

• Establish good professional working relationships with clients
• Understand how clients view their problems
• Appreciate the client’s needs and objectives
• Explore available options and consider the consequences
• Develop strategies to help clients resolve their problems
• Recognize and deal with ethical and moral issues

The students’ performance is assessed by a panel of judges drawn from legal and other professions. The National Competition is affiliated to Louis M. Brown and Forrest S. Mosten International Client Consultation and students are evaluated according to the International competition rules, guidelines, and assessment criteria. Winners of the national event represent Nigeria at the international competition. 

The competition is an annual event. Participation requires a two step registration process. Step 1, registration of interested law faculties Faculty registration, followed by registration of faculty representatives, participants registration. 

Download Competition Resources

Faculty Registration Form

Participants Registration Form

Download Past Competition Case Scenario 

International Client Consultation Assessment and Feedback Form

Competition Rules and Guidelines

International finals International Client Consultation Competition Videos

NULAI has organized eighteen editions since inception. Follow link to see Past Editions and winners of the National Client Counseling Competition