By: Mama A. Touray
Seventy-two graduate students of the law were on Monday called to the Gambia Bar at a ceremony held at the High Court Complex, Banjul,
Addressing the lawyers newly called to the Bar, the Chief Justice and chairperson of the General Legal Counsel, Hassan B Jallow said if any legal practitioner wishes to be a successful legal practitioner he or she has to be dedicated, and hardworking for the rest of his or her career.
“A lot of hard work lies in the future in terms of research and application of the law, dedication to the briefs for the interest of your clients, and the course of justice. It’s a lot of hard work that characterize successful legal practitioner but also your diligence and dedication to the search for truth and dedication to justice make you stand out.”
Chief Justice and Chairperson of the legal counsel urged the young barristers to be ethical and observe the principles of the code of conduct of the legal profession.
Attorney General and Minister of Justice, who is also the vice chairperson of the General Legal Counsel, Dawda A. Jallow said the day marked a significant milestone in the lives of the young wigs as they are formally admitted to the noble profession.
“It also signifies the culmination of their hard work and education in going through intensive and rigorous professional training to become legal practitioners in the Gambia,” he added.
Justice Awa Bah, Supreme Court Judge said “The legal profession has a great tradition for competence. You must familiarize yourself with all the facts and documents of a given case and the applicable laws. He or she must be able to understand all circumstances of the case and how the principles of the law are applicable to it but the effective conduct of a trial involves more than expertise in law and procedures.”
Director General of the Gambia Law School, Rougie Thomasi certified the students that are called to the bar upon completion of their bar professional training.
He revealed that this year they called seventy-four to the bar and out of which thirty-four are Gambians, thirty-three is Ghanaians, and five are Cameroons out of which forty are female and thirty-two are male.