DAR ES SALAAM: CHIEF Justice (CJ) Prof Ibrahim Juma has called upon advocates to ensure they adhere to the ethics governing legal fraternity when they discharge their responsibilities.
Prof Juma made the call yesterday in Dar es Salaam during the admission and enrolment of 263 new advocates.
“Just one act of misconduct by one lawyer can tarnish the entire image of the advocates in Tanzania. Let’s be very careful because it can affect the employment market of all advocates in the country and we can all seen not to be doing fair to people,” said Prof Juma.
Prof Juma argued that advocates must adhere to the ethics and principles of the profession.
“An advocate whose client writes complaint letters to the judge will definitely be regarded that they have lost their credibility and qualifications to continue serving as lawyers,” he said.
Prof Juma advised the new advocates to be respectful to the court, judges, fellow lawyers and their clients because for them to work as per regulations, respect is key.
“The duty of an independent advocate is to show respect to the court, as the law has given them a great responsibility to the court, clients, fellow lawyers and society. Advocates are required to have respectful language in front of the judges, the court and the clients,” added Prof Juma.
Speaking on the technology, he said, for advocates to be updated, they must not avoid the changes brought about by technology especially the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
“Technological changes do not wait for lawyers and they cannot be avoided especially in this fourth industrial revolution, especially artificial intelligence which has already got into the court, and you now have started to learn how to use the new system for scheduling sessions through the system known as electronic case management,” he urged.
On his part, Attorney General Dr Eliezer Feleshi said justice is part of the country’s development agenda for its people.
“Legal industry is sensitive and very important to the development of the country. Therefore, taking disciplinary action against lawyers who act unprofessionally and those who tarnish the good image of the legal profession is a must,” Dr Feleshi said.
Dr Feleshi said it is expected that the new advocates would join the campaign under President Samia Suluhu Hassan known as Mama Samia Legal Aid which aims to help those who cannot afford to access legal services.
