The Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) has concluded its general assembly for 2022 under the theme: “The Role of the LNBA in strengthening the Rule of Law in Liberia.”
Serving as the Keynote Speaker at the Bar’s Assembly which ran from March 25- 26, 2022 in Monrovia, Chief Justice Francis Korkpor called on the newly inducted leadership to strengthen the relationship between the Bar and the Supreme Court Bench.
According to the Chief Justice, there had been what he called a sour relationship between the lawyers of the Bar and the Justices and that needed to be rectified.
“The Bar consists of lawyers and the bench consists of judges and it is out of the Bar that the Bench rules,” Justice Korkpor reminded.
“A lawyer could be in the Bar today but tomorrow that same lawyer could see himself or herself on the bench. The relationship derives from our own chosen profession of law,” he added.
He however stressed the need for the Bar’s local Associations to stand stronger as they continue to advocate for the legal interest of party litigants in strengthening the rule of law.
The head of the Judiciary branch of government believed that if the local Asssociations are strong; they will promote and equip the National Bar in pursuit of its duties.
Also making a remark as an auxiliary head of the Liberian National Bar, the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia called on President George Weah to nominate a female Chief Justice to replace Justice Korkpor.
AFELL’s president, Philomena Williams, said as the law that brought about the establishment of National Bar consists of both male and female lawyers; women have continuously pushed the rule of Law in their own capacity.
“As the Chief Justice resigns by September, I call on President Dr. George Weah to nominate a female Chief Justice of the Republic of Liberia,” she stressed.
She then promised AFELL’s persistent endeavors to advance in all crimes and ensure that any violation of the law be accountable for the action.
For his part, the LNBA president Cllr. Sylvester Rennie openly applauded the Bar’s membership for their cooperation to secure the integrity of the Association.
He said it is through the commitment and unwavering support of all Lawyers that the Bar remains outstanding and working with other international diplomats and institutions.
Cllr. Rennie also stressed the need for lawyers to be cautioned of discharging their legal responsibilities as major elections approach.
According to the counselor, lawyers are key stakeholders in the democracy process of every nation and in doing so; legal practitioners should help show accountability in the upcoming much-talked about 2023 elections.
However, the Dean of the Law School, Negbalee Warner who presented on the topic: ‘The Importance of Legal Writing in the Legal Profession,’ stated that the purpose of the judicial opinion is to promote the rule of law and judicial accountability.
In furtherance, he said that key for a judicial ruling is that the judge engages with facts and adequately captured the issues presented by records, and then demonstrates a reasoned decision.
