Established at the Kinshasa/Matete Court of Appeal, the Bar brings together lawyers who practise throughout the city-province of Kinshasa and before every court in the Republic. Founded in 1998, it is today the largest bar in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by membership.
Under the law, lawyers established within the jurisdiction of a Court of Appeal form a bar, comprising lawyers enrolled on the Roll and those on the pupillage list. Although attached to the Kinshasa/Matete Court of Appeal, the Kinshasa/Matete Bar is not confined to that jurisdiction: its lawyers practise throughout the city-province of Kinshasa and may plead in all matters before every court in the DRC.
Governed by its General Assembly, its Bar Council and its President, it upholds professional ethics, trains pupil lawyers, organises legal aid for those in need and defends the rights of the profession. It is a member of the National Bar Association of the DRC.
Its members readily call it the "Metropolitan Bar" because of its size: one of the largest bars in Central Africa.
The Bar's lawyers may plead and file submissions in all matters before every court in the Republic (Ordinance-Law No. 79-028, Art. 5). Before the courts of other provinces, they practise under the supervision of the respective Bar Councils.
They practise throughout the city-province of Kinshasa, before all of its courts and tribunals.
The Bar is established at the Kinshasa/Matete Court of Appeal, where it has its seat and keeps its Roll.
Subject to exceptions under specific laws and the rules governing the highest courts.
Honesty and probity in the practice of law as in public life.
Serving the client and justice before any personal interest.
Restraint in language, in conduct and in setting fees.
Loyalty and mutual respect between lawyers, beyond the interests of the parties.
Principles upheld by the Bar Council under Article 43 of Ordinance-Law No. 79-028 of 28 September 1979.