According to her, the conduct of some lawyers who routinely absent themselves from the courts and the overcharging of clients who seek the services of legal practitioners, were very alarming and needed to be addressed immediately.
In view of that, Mrs. Georgina Wood has entreated the General Legal Council to sanction appropriately any lawyer who goes contrary to the ethical rules governing the practice of the legal profession in the country.
The Chief Justice made these observations during the 2014/2015 Annual General Conference of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) at Cape Coast in the Central Region on Monday.
The six-day conference is expected to take stock of activities of the association and discuss ways in which it could contribute to the effective development of the country.
The conference, which was themed, ‘Insulating State Institutions from Interference for Effective Realisation of their Mandate: The Role of Regulatory Bodies,’ was attended by a large number of lawyers from all parts of the country.
The Chief Justice underscored the need for members of the association to work towards protecting the image of the profession, adding that they should consider reducing the high charges on legal services they render to the public in order to support the underprivileged in the society.
Touching on the allegation of corruption against the bench, Mrs. Wood stated that those who alleged that there were corrupt practices by some members of the bench refused to provide proof of their allegation when called upon to do so; and therefore appealed to all and sundry to be bold to report corrupt officials to her outfit to enable her deal with them appropriately.
‘It is very sad when bailiffs assigned to execute their specific duties demand money from lawyers and litigants before carrying out such duties. Judges should take charge in the management of their courts in ensuring swift adjudication of cases so as to free the courts of the numerous cases pending before it,’ she added.
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mrs. Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong, said lawyers should work assiduously in upholding the dignity of the court system since the loss of confidence in the court system leads to the destruction of property and promotion of anarchy in any society.
She emphasized the need for lawyers to adhere to the code of conduct governing the practice of the legal profession.
The Central Regional Minister Acquinas Tawiah Quansah, promised government’s commitment towards renovating the courts and the judges’ bungalows in the region to enable them work comfortably.
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From Sarah Afful, Cape Coast
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