Thousands of Rwandans who have benefited from the legal services of Certa Law Chambers and Certa Foundation, or who are familiar with their work, express overwhelming satisfaction and believe these legal entities deserve the milestones they celebrate today.
The Certa Foundation mentors the next generation of legal professionals and has a presence in five districts, including Gatsibo, Musanze, Kirehe, Rwamagana, and Gatsibo, where they offer legal assistance vulnerable girls and women. You will find a lawyer from the Foundation in each of these districts.
Certa Law Chambers is a member of LEX AFRICA, the only Rwandan law firm in this alliance. LEX AFRICA is a network of leading law firms from over 25 African countries, making it Africa’s largest and most prestigious legal alliance.
Florida Kabasinga, a former prosecutor at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) founded Certa Law Chambers in 2016 shortly after returning to her homeland to contribute to the country’s development. The Law firm quickly ascended to the top ranks of Rwanda’s legal sector, recognized as one of the most reputable Law Firms, which grows to greater heights every passing year.
Commenting on the early days of the Firm, Counsel Kabasinga said she resigned from her position as a prosecutor in 2012 to participate in the evolution of Rwanda’s legal system and address the pressing societal demands for justice. She served as a Consultant in Public Litigation and pro bono assistance to vulnerable women.
Hard work and dedication of its experienced, interdisciplinary and multijurisdictional team explain the Firm’s fame. Certa Law Chambers strives for excellence and high standards in its legal services.
To provide a leveled ground for social change, CL’s legal services encompass a wide range of areas, including Banking and Financial Law, Civil and Criminal Law, Competition and Consumer Protection, Aviation Law, Legal Consultancy and Policy Development, Employment and Labour Law, Contract Law, Land and Property Law, Corporate and Commercial Transactions, Corporate Governance, and Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Certa Law Chambers was founded by Counsel Kabasinga, who partnered with equally enthusiastic colleagues to build the nation’s legal system by offering a comprehensive range of legal services.
She emphasizes commitment to revolutionizing Rwandan legal system and addressing the pressing societal demands for justice. She reflects on the state of justice sector after 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, noting that there was barely a legal system in place. However, the country has rebuilt itself, and she feels proud to contribute to this transformation.
She believes one of Rwanda’s significant achievements is its success in attracting nationals to work within their own country, providing them with the opportunity to contribute to the nation’s development.
Counsel Kabasinga is passionate about empowering the youth. When she realized that many law graduates lacked practical skills, she started a mentor program for the next generation of lawyers. Through this initiative, the Certa Foundation aims to contribute meaningfully to the broader community while upholding the ethos of social responsibility, including public litigation.
Certa Foundation
Rwanda is positioning itself as a commercial hub in the region which motivated Counsel Kabasinga to establish Certa Foundation as one of the strategies to address gaps in human resource capacity.
The Foundation is enhancing access to quality and innovative legal services as contribution in building Rwanda’s justice sector. Two centers were created – the Center for Justice and Advocacy (CJA) and Center for Law and Innovation (CLI).
The Center for Justice and Advocacy focuses on preventing and responding to gender-based violence (GBV) and promoting sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) through a holistic approach. CJA strives to protect, promote, and preserve SRHR in Rwanda by establishing referral mechanisms to ensure that women and girls affected by GBV and other SRHR violations receive comprehensive support.
The Foundation has partnered with stakeholders in the legal practice and other specialties like non profit entities to provide a full scale support including legal aid, medical care, and psychosocial support.
Whereas the Center for Law and Innovation serves as a training and research hub, dedicated to developing the next generation of researchers, enhancing the skills of existing legal professionals, and providing research-based solutions to Africa’s complex legal challenges and digital disruptions.
Certa Foundation through a rigorous application process selects talented and top law graduates, who’re trained by experienced experts in key skills they haven’t experienced before. They’re given internship in different institutions for practical skills while being mentored.
As a young non-profit organization, Certa Foundation has been primarily supported by Certa Law Chambers but also seeks the support of experienced lawyers and through Rwanda BAR association to train and mentor young lawyers.
