Ghana School of Law PLC: Civil Procedure (GLC)

Ghana School of Law Professional Law Course: Civil Procedure

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About this exam

Civil Procedure is a core paper on the Ghana School of Law's Professional Law Course, the vocational stage that a law graduate must complete before being called to the Ghana Bar. It is written for LLB graduates who already know the substantive law and now need to run a case: draft a writ and statement of claim, serve it properly, move the court by motion supported by affidavit, prove a claim at trial, enforce the judgment, and appeal or seek review where the decision goes wrong. The syllabus is anchored in the High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2004 (C.I. 47), read together with the Courts Act, 1993 (Act 459), the Evidence Act, 1975 (NRCD 323), and the case law that has built up around them. Teaching is practical: problem questions and drafting exercises dominate, because the paper tests whether you can choose the right procedure at the right time, not whether you can recite Order numbers. Prepare by working through C.I. 47 in order with a copy of the rules beside you, then practising past-style problems under time pressure - writs, motions, default judgment, summary judgment, execution, appeals. The Ghana School of Law publishes the current syllabus, examination timetable and any fee or resit information; check its official website and notices for the figures that apply to your year, as these change and are not stated here.

What you'll study

Common questions

About Ghana School of Law PLC: Civil Procedure (GLC) preparation

What is the format of the Civil Procedure paper?

Expect a mix: multiple-choice or short-answer items testing rule knowledge, plus problem and essay questions requiring you to advise a party or draft a step. The exact structure and weighting for your year are set by the Ghana School of Law, so confirm from its official syllabus and past papers rather than relying on hearsay.

How hard is it compared with the LLB?

Harder in a different way. The LLB asks what the law is; this paper asks what you do on Monday morning. Many candidates know the rules but cannot apply them to a messy fact pattern. Practise issue-spotting and sequencing - jurisdiction, parties, commencement, service, response, trial, enforcement, appeal.

Can I resit if I fail, and how many attempts do I get?

Resit and progression rules are set by the Ghana School of Law and can change between years. The school publishes its current regulations and any supplementary examination arrangements on its official website and notice boards. Check those directly; do not rely on what earlier candidates tell you about attempts or fees.

How much time should I allocate in the exam?

The school publishes the duration for each paper. In practice, divide the available time by the number of questions and stick to it. Problem questions reward a clear structure - identify the procedural step, state the rule and Order, apply it, conclude - far more than long narrative answers. Leave time to reread.

In what order should I study the topics?

Follow the life of a case: jurisdiction and commencement, parties and pleadings, service and default, interlocutory motions and affidavits, summary disposal, trial, judgment and enforcement, then appeals and review. Costs, ADR and prerogative writs sit on top. This mirrors how exam problems are built and makes the rules easier to recall.

What are the most common failure modes?

Citing the wrong Order, confusing motions on notice with ex parte applications, forgetting the affidavit evidence a motion needs, missing limitation or capacity issues, and answering the question asked rather than the one you revised. Weak candidates describe the law; strong ones tell the client exactly what to file, where, and when.

Do I need to memorise C.I. 47?

Not verbatim, but you must know which Order governs each step and the key time limits and conditions. Examiners reward accurate citation. Build a one-page map of the Orders and revise it weekly, then test yourself by drafting real documents - a writ, a motion, an affidavit, a notice of appeal.

Are the substantive law papers relevant to this one?

Yes. Civil Procedure problems are usually dressed in contract, tort, land or company facts. You are not being retested on those subjects, but you must spot the cause of action and the relief sought to choose the correct procedure. A quick revision of remedies across the substantive papers pays off.

Where do I confirm exam dates, fees and venue?

Only from the Ghana School of Law itself - its official website, student notices and administration. This page is independent study material and is not affiliated with the school, so it does not state dates, fees, pass marks or pass rates. Always verify current arrangements with the school before you rely on them.