Chief Justice says rule of law on trial

Chief Justice Rizine Mzikamanda has said there are both violent and subtle efforts by some individuals to tear down the foundation of the rule of law laid down over centuries for narrow individual gains.

In his address on Friday in Blantyre after he admitted 55 new lawyers to the Bar, the Chief Justice said the civility of any society is measured by its adherence to the rule of law.

He told the new lawyers that they have an important role to stand up and defend the rule of law for the sake of constitutionalism, democracy and the socio-economic development of Malawi.

“I wish to remind you that the legal profession is dedicated to upholding the rule of law for the socio-economic advancement of our society. Lawyers play an important role in the entrenchment of democracy, good governance, peace and security in the country.

“Today, the rule of law is on trial…one matter that I must comment upon is that you should never be tempted to engage in corruption in the administration of justice. You should never facilitate corruption of judicial officers or court staff,” Mzikamanda warned.

The Malawi Judiciary, he said, continues to strive to put in place various mechanisms for detecting and combating corruption within its ranks for the sake of proper administration of justice.

“A legal practitioner who engages in corruption is a disgrace to the profession and ought not to have any place of honour. The determination to fight corruption in the Judiciary and in the justice system is real and should not be taken lightly,” said the Chief Justice.

He said it was a wonderful day to have 55 officers added to the roll of legal practitioners, adding that the large number gives the Judiciary every hope of changing the justice system for the better.

Mzikamanda also said practising law is about service and responsibility to serve with dignity and integrity.

“Time of playing games is over. The legal profession is a serious and disciplined profession, more so the courtroom where you will cause your appearances from time to time,” he said.

The Chief Justice said he has seen some brilliant lawyers turning into a disaster because of arrogance and profession malpractice, urging the new lawyers not to go down that route.

Attorney General (AG) Thabo Chakaka-Nyirenda, who congratulated the new lawyers, extended apologies to the Chief Justice for his failure to attend admissions last time.

The ceremony inducts fully-trained and accomplished graduates of a law school into the practice of law. The Chief Justice is petitioned by the new lawyers for admission and the AG, or his representative, makes a position whether to allow an application or reject it. n