Says Lack of Defenders in Court Increased Presence of Quacks
By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson I
The Liberia National Bar Association has urged the Supreme Court of Liberia to reexamine its decision to recall Public Defenders from Magisterial Courts.
It can be recalled, that the Supreme Court recalled all public defenders from magisterial courts across the country pending reassignment.
But the Bar stated that it has taken cognizance that the recall of Public Defenders from the Magisterial Courts has also increased the presence of quacks, who are posing to party litigants as lawyers around those Courts.
“Realizing this and others, the Bar wants to in this manner appeal to Your Honors and this Honorable Court to reexamine your decision to recall Public Defenders from Magisterial Courts.”
Responding to the charge delivered by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court on Monday, October 14, 2024, the BAR intimated that the recall of Public Defenders from the Magisterial Courts has also increased the presence of quacks, who are posing to party litigants as lawyers around those Courts. “The Bar also takes cognizance that the recall of Public Defenders from the Magisterial Courts has also increased the presence of quacks, who are posing to party litigants as lawyers around those Courts.”
The legal body added that quacks make representations in Court as next of kin; and when these cases go on appeal to the Circuit Courts, they are limited and not qualified to represent the party litigant because they are not lawyers, thereby depriving the ordinary party litigant of their right to appeal. The Bar assertedthat the essence of going to Court is to get relief, and if said relief cannot be acquired because of the lack of legal representation, then access to justice cannot be realized.
At the same time, the Bar, lauded the visit of members of the Supreme Court Bench to various Magisterial Courts in their areas of supervision, in order to have a firsthand account of the activities of these Courts, and ensure that the overall Judicial performances of the staff and employees are adhered to in delivering services to the Public.
The legal body asserted that Magisterial Courts are being operated under extremely difficult conditions, which make it difficult for them to perform the needed tasks. Nevertheless, the Bar Association intimated these conditions should not serve as the reasons for the failure of the Magistrate to implement their judicial duties. Therefore, the Supreme Court urged Magistrates who will fail to deliver on their duties when the Supreme Court has ensured that the needed tools and resources are provided to address issues affecting the effective functioning of the Courts.
At the same time, LNBA has signed a US$211,146,00 Contract for the construction and completion of the first floor of its national headquarters in Margibi County. “After four months of bidding, the Bar has entered into a contract with GissEngineering Company to complete the first floor of the Bar headquarters in eight months.” Speaking to the media on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, the national president of the Bar Association, Cllr. Sylvester Rennie revealed that his administration is working to ensure that the first floor of the bar is completed before the transition of the Bar leadership in January.
