CJ advises on reducing employment gap
CHIEF Justice Prof Ibrahim Juma has advised the newly 358 advocates to extend their legal services closer to the 20 district courts launched recently across the country, a move aimed to reduce the unemployment gap in the cadre.
Besides, the legal profession needs to exploit the opportunities which come along with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement in the course of addressing the challenge.
Prof Ibrahim issued the calls at the 67th ceremony to admit and enroll the new advocates which was held in Dar es Salaam, on Friday, indicating that the inauguration of the court building was a great opportunities for the lawyers.
The district courts include one in Mwanga and Same in Kilimanjaro, Busega-Simiyu, Itilima-Simiyu, Butiama-Mara, Rorya-Mara, Songwe-Songwe, Gairo-Morogoro, Mkinga-Tanga, Mbogwe and Nyangh’wale in Geita,
Others are in Kyerwa and Missenyi in Kagera, Kaliua-Tabora, Uvinza, Buhigwe and Kakonko in Kigoma, Tanganyika (Katavi), Kilombero and Mvomero in Morogoro.
According to him, out of the 20 courts 14 courts have been introduced in the areas for the first time, creating a demand for the lawyers’ services.
“Majority of those admitted today had not been into formal employment…unemployment is quite a big challenge which requires the attention of both the judiciary and government,” said Prof Ibrahim.
According to him, in the 21st century the legal profession is facing huge competition, citing an example of an incident of a job offer whereby the judiciary was seeking 20 people to fill magistrate positions but over 900 applicants ended turning up for them.
As a result, the CJ advised the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) through its constructive engagement model to find solutions for the unemployment challenge for its graduates who have completed practical training.
“TLS and the government need to come up with a plan, as the government is creating proper environment for the country to take its place within the AfCFTA which comprises a market of over 1.3 billion people, bringing opportunities for lawyers to exploit,” he said.
He supported his argument by quoting Jennigay Coetzer who wrote an article indicating that “Once up and running, the economic bloc of 1.3 billion people will be the world’s largest trade zone and is expected to boost Africa’s total GDP to over $ 3.4 trillion. It could mean big business for law firms with the right profile.”
On the other hand the CJ stressed on the issue of integrity, competence and quality of service, honesty and candour and confidentiality as key criteria for them in dispensing justice.
For his part, President of the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS), Dr Edward Hoseah welcomed all the 358 new advocates making up a total of 11,442 in the roll of advocates, urging them to observe all the code of conduct while carrying out their duties.
Dr Hoseah disclosed the problem of some of the advocates operating without renewal of their licenses, describing it as illegal.
“We have introduced a new system whereby all the licensed advocates should possess an electronic seal bearing a QR code…I urge all the advocates to acquire the electronic seal by December 31. After this time we will not have mercy,” he said.
Attorney General, Dr Eliezer Feleshi reminded the lawyers to always upgrade their skills through short and long courses as well as embracing the habit of reading the top court’s rulings.
“This is most crucial weapons for the legal profession…a degree in law alone is not enough as it is not the only path to become an expert in the area,” indicated the Attorney General.
