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Lawyers rapped

Posted by CaribShout on September 20, 2009 at 4:30pm

Concerns have been raised over a lack of professionalism by some lawyers practicing in the Eastern Caribbean. This has led to further calls for specific laws governing their conduct. The Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Hugh Rawlins, said he had received numerous complaints from members of the public in the sub-region about lawyers’ behaviour. Speaking at the formal opening of the 2009/2010 law year in Dominica, Mr Rawlins reminded lawyers that they needed to at "all times be guided by honesty, integrity, efficiency and fairness in their undertaking". Legislation for lawyers On the need for legislation governing the conduct of lawyers, Chief Justice Rawlings, noted that three countries within the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court had relevant laws in place. And he expressed the hope that others would follow suit. Where such legislation is not on the books, Chief Justice Rawlings challenged individual bar associations to set up programmes to provide specific training for their members.

“It is a charge to the various bar associations to organise ongoing training programmes in ethics, accounting and management of law offices, and client’s funds and affairs.” The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court serves the nine-member countries and territories that make up the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Preserving protocol The chief justice also frowned on what he referred to as “time-honoured protocols which are slipping”. He gave as examples: “letters addressed to my office that are the subject of matters which are the subject of appeal before the court over which I preside.” Time-honoured protocols ... are slipping” said Chief Justice Hugh Rawlins The president of the OECS Bar Association, Tapley Seaton, shares some of the concerns highlighted by the chief justice. "Departure from the time honoured principles of respecting the courts was a worrying trend," he remarked. He also castigated his colleagues over what he felt appears to be a growing lack of respect for judges and their rulings. “We condemn the recent practice of criticism in very personal terms of judgements or decisions of our judges from whatever quarter, be it governmental or from the bar,” he stated.
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