By Adama Makasuba
At least 45 legal practitioners have enrolled to the General Legal Counsel as barristers and solicitors of the Supreme Court of The Gambia.
Speaking at the ceremony held at the high court complex, Salieu Taal, President Gambia Bar Association described the legal profession that comes with a lot of privileges and also a lot of responsibilities, duties and expectations.
“The profession is called noble because we are expected to conduct ourselves with nobility, dignity, decorum and honour at all times. The demands of the profession do not just stop at you being learned or knowledgeable, but more importantly you conduct as a legal practitioner must be guided by the ethics of the profession,” he said.
“ETHICS is the cornerstone of the profession and I urge each and every one of you to be conversant with the Code of Conduct for Legal Practitioners in spirit and in substance. I advise you to pay particular attention to
Section 8 which reads as follows;
“A Legal Practitioner shall at all times uphold the DIGNITY, HONOUR and HIGH STANDING of the profession and shall desist from dishonest, unjust and disreputable conduct whether in his or her professional life or OTHERWISE”. Learned friends, digest each and every one of these words. Let this be your guide or mantra every step of way as you embark on legal career,” he added.
“Professional ethics is the foundation of legal practice and in the absence of professional ethics, the entire profession is brought to disrepute. As legal practitioners, we will not enjoy confidence of our clients, the general public or citizenry if we fall short of the ethical standards of behaviour or conduct expected of a legal practitioner. As we grow as a profession, maintaining professional ethical standards, values and the traditions of the bar becomes increasingly challenging. Whilst we must embrace change and adapt to our fast-changing environment, the core values of the profession must be jealously guarded,” he continued.