By Grace Q. Bryant
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, Sie-A- Nyene G. Yuoh has warned the public that her administration is ready and prepared to take necessary and appropriate actions against any lawyer who will not do the needful and appropriate thing.
Delivering a special remark on Thursday, November 24, 2022, at the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA), Chief Justice Yuoh said that she recently embarked on an acquaintance tour of magistrates within the bailiwick of the first Judicial Circuit Court across Montserrado County.
According to CJ Yuoh she has issued a staff warning to all lawyers, judges and magistrates across the country stating that the time of warning is over and it’s now time to execute appropriate action for all established false impression.
The Chief Justice of Liberia pointed out, that the tour seeks to obtain firsthand information of the condition of the quality of the infrastructure hosting the courts and efficiency of the staff and the quality of the work been done in the courts.
” The time of warning is over. And the time for requisite action for all established false impression is now. During my tour I noticed a concept of something called volunteering. In the judicial branch, there is no such concept or policy for volunteer,” she noted.
She noted further that the volunteer policy is what judges as well as other court staff bring in random, persons and install them in the court as volunteers, something she described as inimical to the judiciary and therefore, ordered that henceforth, no judge should do such.
” I again want to reiterate my calls and cautions to the magistrate; conduct the affairs of the respective assigned court within the pair of the law and to call utmost courtesy to the general public and party litigant. Utilize the medium available for us to use in channeling your grievances and other concerns rather than seeking an audience with the Chief Justice for self-purposes,” she cautioned.
Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, Ren Yisheng, in remarks said any legal system is unique, and each country has its own problems and corresponding solutions.
He explained that it is crucial to find a nationalized way to participate in legal globalization adding that a good legal system has three elements which are namely, the authority of the law, good judicial officials, and a simple and easy procedure.
Ambassador Ren said to build a rule of law in China, the government strives to achieve scientific, complete and unified legal norms, fair, efficient and authoritative law enforcement and justice, effectively restrict and supervise the exercise of power, fully respected and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the people, universally establish the belief in the rule of law, and build a rule of law of the country, a rule of law of government, and a rule of law of society in all respects.
He said the LNBA has an important role to play in the areas of peace and stability, democracy and justice, and prosperity and development and as such, its members should bear in mind LNBA’s vision and mission in order to strive to safeguard the correct implementation of the law, fairness and justice, and the legitimate rights and interests of all parties.
“Liberian lawyers also need to enhance fraternal bond among LNBA members and between the Association and Bars of foreign countries,” he stated assuring that the Chinese Embassy stands ready to actively promote the exchanges and cooperation between All China Lawyers Association (ACLA) and LNBA and is ready to facilitate visits to and provide training opportunities in China for LNBA and its members.
Meanwhile, Thursday, November 24, 2022, hundreds of lawyers converged at the Paynesville City Hall to host the third annual Convection of the Bar 2022 which runs a two-day event under the theme, ”Contemporary development in the law; Implication for Liberian legal system.”
The third annual convention is aimed at examining program and policy within the legal system of the country and the organization’s past working of the administration and brainstormed on the way forward for the organization and the legal system of Liberia.
Earlier, the president of the National Bar Association, Sylvester D. Rennie called for adaption of the agenda of the convention and it was overwhelmingly endorsed by the congregation.
LNBA President said the convention’s celebration is consistent with the Bar’s constitution; adding that the convention is the highest decision making body of the association.
Cllr. Rennie revealed that, according to the constitution, lawyers gather to grace the occasion in the last week of November of every year.
“As we are going through this convention for the next two days, I ask that all lawyers will behave themselves, respond to issues and find solution to some of the problems,” he explained.
Delivering the keynote address, the Chief Technical Advisor and Head of UNDP’S Rule of Law Program in Liberia, Rowland Cole, urged the LNBA to push for reform and ensure that measures are put in place to ensure there are much more effective, credible and accessible justice systems.
