How to Find a Lawyer in Rwanda, and Check Them Before You Instruct

Where can I find a list of lawyers in Rwanda?

The Rwanda Bar Association (RBA) keeps the roll of advocates. Its membership is made up of all practising advocates, as the law requires, together with interns working towards enrolment, and it now numbers more than 1,550 advocates. The Bar's online system, RBA MIS, has a public “Find advocates” search that you can use without logging in.

The Bar was created by Law N° 03/97 and is now governed by Law N° 83/2013 of 11/09/2013 establishing the Bar Association in Rwanda and determining its organisation and functioning.

How do I check that someone is a qualified advocate?

Under Law N° 83/2013, nobody may use the title of advocate or practise the profession without being enrolled on the roll of advocates or on the list of interns, and illegal use of the title is punishable. Enrolment requires, among other things, a recognised certificate from the Institute of Legal Practice and Development (ILPD) or its equivalent. Advocates also need an annual practising authorisation, which depends on completing continuing legal education.

Before you instruct anyone, ask for their roll details, check them on the Bar's online search, and ask whether they are a full advocate or an intern. Interns are enrolled as advocates only after completing a two-year internship.

Can a foreign lawyer act for me in Rwanda?

The law allows a foreigner to practise as an advocate in Rwanda on condition of reciprocity or under international agreements to which Rwanda is a party, and members of foreign Bar Associations may be granted the right to practise where needed, provided they follow the rules governing the profession in Rwanda.

In practice, many cross-border transactions pair the investor's usual counsel with a Rwandan advocate, who handles the Rwandan-law points, the filings and any court or arbitration work.

Which kind of professional do I need?

It depends on the task:

Advocate

Company set-up and contracts, land transactions, employment, regulatory licensing, disputes, litigation and arbitration.

Notary

Authenticating deeds and signatures, certifying documents for RDB filings, and transfers of land and other property.

Tax adviser

Tax planning, filings, audits and appeals with the Rwanda Revenue Authority.

Certified public accountant

Accounts and statutory audits. In Rwanda only certified public accountants may conduct audits.

Arbitrator or mediator

Commercial disputes resolved through the Kigali International Arbitration Centre (KIAC) or by mediation.

Where do I find a notary in Rwanda?

Rwanda's notary law recognises several kinds of notary: notaries at the Ministry of Justice and at the Rwanda Development Board, notaries at district and sector level, officers in charge of notarial duties in land matters, Rwandan ambassadors or first secretaries for documents handled abroad, and private notaries authorised by the Ministry of Justice. The Ministry of Justice publishes an online notary register that you can search.

For company registration, RDB accepts documents certified in Rwanda by the RDB notary, a district or sector notary, or a private notary authorised by the Ministry of Justice, and documents certified abroad by a public notary, a Rwandan embassy or a Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

How do I find a licensed tax adviser or accountant?

The Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) licenses tax advisers. Under regulations published in 2025, only people formally approved by RRA may act as tax representatives or advisers, and applicants need a relevant degree and at least five years' experience in tax work. RRA publishes lists of licensed tax advisers on its website.

For accounting and audit, check that the accountant or firm is registered with the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (ICPAR), which grants practising certificates to certified public accountants and practising firms and publishes an annual list of licensed firms.

What should I agree before instructing a lawyer in Rwanda?

• Confirm enrolment and practising status on the Bar's online roll.
• Check experience in your sector, for example mining, land, tax or arbitration, and ask who will actually do the work.
• Agree the working language. Rwanda's official languages are Kinyarwanda, English, French and Swahili, and some documents may need a certified translation.
• Ask for a conflict check before you share confidential information.
• Put the engagement in writing: scope, fees (fixed, hourly or staged), expenses, whether VAT is added, when bills are sent and how either side can end the engagement.
• Agree how and how often you will receive updates.

What can I do if I have a complaint about an advocate?

Raise it with the advocate or their firm first, in writing. If that does not resolve it, the Rwanda Bar Association handles complaints between advocates and the public, so contact the Bar with the advocate's name, the dates involved, and copies of your engagement letter and correspondence.

Is free legal help available in Rwanda?

For people who cannot afford a lawyer, yes. The Rwanda Bar Association provides legal information, advice, orientation, mediation, and legal assistance and representation free of charge to indigent and vulnerable people, and its online system has a legal aid and pro bono section. These services are aimed at individuals in need rather than businesses or investors.

Does Be Rwanda Wise recommend or list lawyers?

Not at present. Be Rwanda Wise does not list any advocates, notaries or tax advisers, and it does not recommend or refer anyone. If listings appear on the app's Find a Lawyer page in future, they will be paid listings, clearly marked, and not endorsements, so you should still check the Bar's roll yourself before instructing anyone.

Rwandan advocates, notaries and tax advisers who would like to be listed can contact hello@bewiseapps.com.