The Kenya School of Law (KSL) announced on 15 October that it has temporarily stopped receiving applications for the 2027/2028 Advocates Training Programme (ATP) after the High Court issued interim orders in a dispute over the school’s admission requirements.

The suspension will remain in effect until the court provides further directions, and KSL said updates will be posted through its official communication channels.

Applications were originally due to close on 13 November, leaving prospective students uncertain about the timeline for resuming the admission process.

The legal dispute stems from a conservatory order issued on 6 October by Justice John Onyiego, which barred KSL and the Council of Legal Education from admitting students under the contested criteria.

Petitioners argue that the revised entry standards, introduced via an annual intake notice, bypassed the required regulatory process and parliamentary approval.

The court directed the respondents to file their replies within seven days and set a priority hearing for 13 October.

Under the usual admission rules, candidates need a minimum KCSE mean of C+ and a grade B in English or Kiswahili, among other conditions.

KSL’s revised notice had introduced alternative pathways, allowing some law graduates with lower secondary grades and applicants who pass a Pre‑Bar Examination to qualify for the ATP.

The notice did not alter the application schedule for the January 2027 Pre‑Bar Examination, which remains open until 11 December.