Institute of Legal Practice and Development (ILPD)

The Institute was established by law in 2006 as an Institution of Higher Learning and has been in operation since 2008. The establishment of this Institute was part of the implementation of judicial reforms that the Government of Rwanda embarked on in early 2000. To meet the demand for a legal workforce with enhanced skills, ILPD was assigned the task of providing the relevant training and research to the fresh graduates beginning their legal careers and to professionals already in practice who had not undertaken the requisite training.

The Institute of Legal Practice and Development (ILPD) plays a vital role in the development of the Rwandan Justice and Legal System. The Institute currently runs fourteen (14) postgraduate Diploma programs. ILPD also runs a wide range of other continuing legal education (CLE) courses to ensure that all legal professionals are kept up to date and have opportunities to refresh and develop their skills.

ILPD is also a research hub of the justice sector, conducting funded research projects on a range of issues relating to justice policy, legal practice and law development.

The Institute of Legal Practice and Development offers the courses in four different modes: The Full-time mode in Nyanza, Part-time mode (The evening schedule in Kigali), Part-time Weekend mode (The weekend schedule of Kigali, Weekend Nyanza, Weekend Musanze), as well as the Part-time Executive mode run in Kigali.

The Institute has been able to maintain its position as Ihuriro - a meeting place- where lawyers from different branches of the legal professions, different legal traditions, including Common law, Civil law and traditional law, meet and learn from each other.

With over four thousand graduates including international graduates from seventeen African Countries in its Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice (DLP) program at ILPD, this highlights the Institute’s growing influence in shaping the legal profession across Africa.

ILPD graduates gain the unique advantage of being qualified to practice in both civil and common law jurisdictions, equipping them for diverse legal careers across Africa and beyond. ILPD also offers a high-quality legal education at a competitive cost, making it an excellent choice for aspiring legal professionals seeking affordability without compromising excellence.

The Institute's faculty consists of both local and international legal experts, ensuring a high-quality, practice-oriented education. On its faculty there are foreign and Rwandan Justices and Chief Justices, Prosecutor Generals and National Prosecutors, Senior Counsels, highly qualified academics, etc. The Institute implements a competence-based curriculum that is completed by public lecturers from highly qualified policy or decision- makers from Rwanda and from abroad. The Institute perspective falls within the vision of the Rwandan leader, President Paul Kagame, that it is possible to have a world-class education right here in Africa.

Rwanda has emerged as a top destination in Africa due to its strong governance, economic growth, and commitment to sustainability. In 2024, the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), the country and city rankings, has ranked Rwanda the second destination in Africa for International Conferences after South Africa. The country is renowned for its safety and stability, maintaining one of the lowest crime rates on the continent. Tourism is a major attraction, with the famous mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park's Big Five Safari, and Nyungwe Forest’s canopy walk, among others. The nation’s economy is one of the fastest-growing in Africa, fueled by innovation in technology, with Kigali emerging as a tech hub. As of the latest available data, Rwanda consistently ranks as the top country in Africa for adherence to the rule of law. In the World Justice Project's (WJP) Rule of Law Index 2024, Rwanda achieved an overall score of 0.63, leading the continent in governance and justice.

The Institute of Legal Practice and Development (ILPD) headquarters is located in Nyanza City, in the Southern Province—a historical city that once served as the capital of the Rwandan kingdom. In 2024, the city celebrated its 125 years since it was established by King Yuhi V Musinga. Nyanza is renowned for its rich cultural heritage with two historical museums, *inyambo* cows generally known for the symmetrical white horns that stretch into the air several feet above their heads, cleanliness and peaceful environment, making it an ideal place for learning and living.

ILPD boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure, including modern, well-equipped classrooms, advanced ICT facilities, high-speed internet connectivity across the campus, and the best law library in the region. It provides on-campus accommodation tailored to students' preferences and offers various leisure activities to enhance the students’ experience.

With its world-class facilities, expert faculty, and serene learning environment, ILPD stands as a premier institution for legal training in Africa.

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