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By R. Joyclyn Wea
The Supreme Court of Liberia has admitted forty-two (42) Attorneys-at-law who recently apply to be members of the Supreme Court Bar.
This mean, those successful Attorneys-at-law who were admitted into the high court’s Bar as counselors now have the opportunity to practice law in the Bar before members of the full bench.
It called be recalled, months ago, seventy-five Attorneys at law applied to be admitted into the Supreme Court’s Bar as Counselors.
Out of the seventy-five, seventy names were submitted; of that number, sixty-eight were forwarded to the vetting and examination committee of the Supreme Court’s Bar in which fifty-five Attorneys sat the written and oral exams.
Rendering opinion on behalf of the bench on August 7, 2018 at the admittance program in Monrovia, former Associate Justice Philip A.Z. Banks explained that the total of forty-two Attorneys who sat the exam were successful and that 12 did not participate in the test for reason best known to themselves even though they previously applied.
Cllr. Banks cautioned successful candidates to protect the profession and take the oath seriously ensuring that justice is served to both rich and poor.
Justice Banks indicated that the framers of the constitution and judiciary law, understanding that the legal profession is not one that operates in a vacuum, rather on the supervision of the Supreme Court as head of the judiciary branch of government, enacted procedures for becoming a lawyer.
He further emphasized that the legislature saw it fit to enact a legislation that any Attorney-at-law wishing to practice law must be in straight compliance with the Supreme Court.
Former Justice Banks explained that Attorneys-at-law seeking to be admitted must be Liberian citizen, graduate of the Louise Arthur Grimes School of Law or any recognized law school in Liberia and foreign land and shall as well actively engaged into the practice of law at least for the period of five years.
Banks continue, “The Attorney’s petition must be supported by at least two practicing counselors of the Supreme Court’s Bar. One of said counselor must admit the Attorney into the court’s Bar and that said Attorney must undergo ethical and moral examinations.
The Supreme Court by law is clothed with authority to supervise all judges and counselors practicing in the country and suspend license of individuals for misconduct, malpractices and violation against the practice of law.”
Alphonso Toweh
Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters
He holds first MA with honors in International Relations and a candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict Resolution from the University of Liberia.
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