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BASL
expresses concern over President's Counsel appointments
A statement issued by the Bar Association over the appointment of President's Counsel said it was pointed out at the meeting that in terms of "Supreme Court (Senior Attorneys-at-Law) Rules of 1980" an Attorney-at-Law who had been in active practice for not less than 20 years was eligible for appointment as President's Counsel if he is eminent in the profession and is a person of integrity who has maintained high standards of conduct. The statement said that according to the Rules above, an application had to be made to the Chief Justice and the President may appoint only those Attorneys whose applications are recommended by the Chief Justice. It stated that although under the 1978 Constitution relevant Rules were rescinded the healthy practice of consulting the Chief Justice before the appointment of a President's Counsel was made continued, which was the process of judging the eminence of a counsel for such an appointment. "The inner Bar Committee of the BASL which consists only of President's Counsel is in the process of formulating guidelines for such appointments and would seek the cooperation of the Chief Justice and Her Excellency to incorporate same by way of Rules of the Supreme Court", the statement added. It said that the members who were present expressed the view that the basic requirement of 20 years in active practice and preeminence in the Bar would be strictly adhered to in appointing President's Counsel so that others will be in a position to look upon the President's Counsel with respect as a leader of the Bar and that all appointments to be made only upon the recommendations of the Chief Justice. |
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