Bamenda played host this Wednesday to a gathering of legal minds from across the North West region and beyond as lawyers converged to hear from candidates vying for positions in the Cameroon Bar Council. Among them, Barrister Muluh Stanly stood out, not just for his credentials, but for a clear and energised campaign message which speaks of his readiness to serve at the highest level, bringing innovation, professionalism, and youthful vigour to the Bar.
Speaking to Hilltopvoices at the close of the event, Barrister Stanly declared, “I am bringing the energy of the youth. We have cried for so long that it is time for the youth to take over. The future is now.”
Armed with an impressive academic background including a Master of Laws from Harvard University in Artificial Intelligence Law, Governance, and Security, Barrister Muluh Stanly is campaigning on a platform that seeks to modernise the legal profession in Cameroon. He argues that the legal landscape is evolving rapidly and that lawyers, especially the younger ones, risk being left behind if they are not adequately prepared.
“We are witnessing the impact of AI already with deep fakes, data breaches, and legal uncertainties involving multinationals. While AI won’t replace lawyers, it will take over aspects of the legal job. So, we must be ready. And with that, new legal opportunities will emerge,” he explained.
Barrister Muluh Stanly is not just offering a youthful face to the Bar Council but also a forward-looking policy outlook. His manifesto, anchored in the mantra “The Lawyer First”, promises to prioritise lawyers’ welfare particularly mental health, introduce modernised legal practices through technology, and establish platforms for specialised training and continuous learning.
Among the issues he hopes to tackle is the long-standing demand for a national law school. While acknowledging the frustrations around delays, he cautions against a rushed approach.
“The law school is necessary, but not something we should enter into emotionally. Ours is a bijural system, unique in the world. Any law school here must reflect that complexity and include input from both civil law and common law traditions. We need to get it right,” he stressed.
Reacting to concerns about declining standards in court practice and ethics, Barrister Muluh Stanly said he has placed a heavy focus on the professional development of young lawyers.
“Ethics, professionalism, and training will be at the centre of everything I do if elected. We need to invest in training that reflects current legal trends. Many young lawyers are simply not engaged in the new fields that matter,” he noted.
He also advocated for a broadening of professional horizons beyond the confines of the Anglophone regions, arguing that over-emphasis on common law alone may limit opportunities.
“Cameroon is big. If you practice only common law, you confine yourself to two regions. We need to embrace a harmonised approach to tap into the wider legal market,” he advised.
Barrister Muluh Stanly’s record speaks volumes. A certified trainer of OHADA Uniform Acts and a leading figure in financial law and governance, he has trained across the continent and helped shape policy in financial cooperatives at the global level. He holds an LL.M in Finance and Law and is finalising a PhD in Microfinance Law at the University of Bamenda.
In the North West, he is well known for supporting the training of pupil advocates by providing essential logistics whichnis a gesture that has made tangible impacts on the next generation of lawyers.
When Hilltopvoices asked if he would accept the role of Bar President should his fellow council members nominate him, Barrister Stanly smiled knowingly and said, “I am qualified.”
He may not be declaring outright ambition for the top job, but his readiness to serve “at the highest level” of the council is unmistakable.
Ultimately, his campaign is focused on lawyers' wellbeing, their future in a digital legal economy, and building a Bar Council that reflects both the challenges and potential of the modern legal era.
“My vision is one that protects the dignity of lawyers, fosters collaboration, and innovates financial structures to empower the profession,” his manifesto reads.
By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Newsroom
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