General News of Friday, 20 April 2018
Source: primenewsghana.com
2018-04-20
The lawyers were encouraged to offer free services to the less privileged
The Chief Justice, Sophia A. B. Akuffo, has charged on lawyers who prolong cases in courts with the intention of making more money from their clients to desist from that.
The Chief Justice is rather advising lawyers to make sure their clients use the Alternative Disputes Resolutions (ADR) system if the need be to avert long appearances in court.
“Some lawyers have over the years prolonged cases for wrong reasons. Not because the case needed to go through a long lengthy trial, but because of the day to day appearances that they will make money from the client”.
Justice Akuffo made the call at the enrollment of new lawyers into the Ghana Law School on Friday.
“Encourage your clients in every possible case to settle their case with ADR. Go through the ADR services before going for trial. You should be the first ADR mediator when your clients contact you and at the end of the day, your clients will love you for it”, the CJ explained.
She said “not because cases must go through a long trial but because of the day to day appearances, they will be making money from.
Justice Akuffo said “being a quality lawyer requires that you apply integrity to every case that you handle and you help assure justice for all”.
“Help assure justice for all and not those that can afford. Some lawyers over the years have prolonged cases but don’t follow that way. Apply ADR system so that judges are freed to do worthy cases”, the Chief Justice charged lawyers.
She charged on the lawyers to make it a habit to offer free services to those who do not have the means to afford justice.
“Many of your fellow Ghanaians are still sadly unable to access justice. Commit yourself to pro-bonus service every year. Pro-bonus cases per year will make a difference. Make a commitment to your church, community, your country”.