Born in 1998 from the judicial reorganisation of the capital, the Kinshasa/Matete Bar — affectionately known by its members as the Metropolitan Bar — is today one of the largest bars in Central Africa.
With the creation of the Congo Free State, representation in court was first provided by appointed agents (mandataires).
A decree establishes the Bars in the Congo, giving the legal profession its own framework.
Ordinance-Law No. 68-247 regulates the practice of law after independence.
Ordinance-Law No. 79-028 on the organisation of the Bar reshapes the profession and creates the National Bar Association. It remains the profession's reference framework.
The organs of the National Bar Association are installed and the first National President of the Bar is elected, completing the construction of the Congolese Bar.
Ordinance-Law No. 91-009, supplemented by Ordinance No. 91-035 of 3 April 1991 setting the jurisdiction of the two Kinshasa Courts of Appeal, paves the way for two bars in the capital — one at the Kinshasa/Gombe Court of Appeal and one at the Kinshasa/Matete Court of Appeal — replacing the former Kinshasa Bar.
Thirteen lawyers meet in a constituent General Assembly chaired by Me Kabasele Mfumu, dean as the most senior lawyer on the Roll. The assembly adopts the constituent declaration of the Kinshasa/Matete Bar, whose creation is confirmed by the National Council of the Bar.
From thirteen founders, the Bar grew to more than 3,000 lawyers by 2022, the largest membership in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Today it counts 9,101 lawyers enrolled on the Roll or the pupillage list.
The last President of this period, Me Richard KAZADI KABIMBA († 2022), was the outgoing President at the 2013-2014 election.
[ Names and terms of earlier Presidents — to be completed by the Bar secretariat ]
President of the Bar for two terms. The second round of the election of his successor, scheduled for 2020, was postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Elected President of the Bar in the second round with 1,020 votes to 356, at the Bar's headquarters. He now leads the Kinshasa/Matete Bar Association.
Serving President (Bâtonnier)
President (Bâtonnier)
President · In memoriam
The Bar's archives may complete or refine this history. To contribute, please contact the secretariat: barreaukinshasamatete1@yahoo.fr.