Monrovia – Lawyers recently admitted to the Supreme Court have been cautioned to uphold the pride and dignity of the legal profession in the country and avoid unethical behaviors that tend to taint the image of the Judiciary.
Report by Kennedy L. Yangian klyangian @frontpageafricaonline.com
Associate Justice Philip Banks, who spoke on behalf of the Supreme Court Friday, March 3 when the 37 Attorneys at-Llaw took the oath to become counselors, told the lawyers that the high court will not tolerate unethical acts and will not hesitate to take drastic actions against lawyers involved in unethical behaviors.
Associate Justice Banks’ warning comes at a time when the Supreme Court had taken harsh decisions on six lawyers found culpable of violating the ethics of the noble profession.
“This court will not tolerate unethical transgression and will not hesitate to take drastic actions against lawyers involved in unethical transgression,” Justice Banks said.
The 37 attorneys admitted to the Supreme Court Friday are among 56 candidates who sat the high court exam and passed to gain admission.
Lawyers being admitted to the Supreme Court must have practiced for the period of 5 years at the lower courts across the country as required by law.
Among the newly admitted lawyers were former police boss Chris Massauoi who was replaced at the Liberia National Police by Gregory Coleman.
Cllr. Massaquoi standing first in the roll smiled and lifted up his right hand like his other colleagues as Associate Justice Jamesette Wolokollie administered the oath and called on the lawyers to work within the frame work of their profession.
Cllr. Abrahan Sillah from the Heritage Law Firm who took the first place in the exam thanked the Judiciary for the level of improvement done so far in the midst of challenges.
Cllr. Sillah stated that prior to becoming counselor at the Supreme Court, he served as Public Defender in Maryland County and called on the authority of Judiciary to see the need for capacity building.
He called on his colleagues who were not fortunate to pass the exam to be admitted to the Supreme Court not to be discouraged.
He also called on the Chief Justice Francis Korkpor and the Associate Justices to make known the fees for the exam early so that candidates sitting the exam would have the time to raise the money.