The ceremony, which took place yesterday, was witnessed by High Court judges, lawyers, other judicial staff and family members.
Hassan B. Jallow, Chief Justice of the Gambia, said the newly enrolled lawyers were evaluated and assessed by the General Legal Council, which determined that they were fit and proper persons to join the honourable profession.
CJ Jallow urged the newly enrolled lawyers to always keep in mind the Code of Conduct of legal practitioners, saying as legal practitioners, they should be committed and obligated at all times to uphold the dignity, honour and the high standing of the profession.
He advised them to desist from dishonest, unjust and disreputable conduct, whether in their professional life or personal life.
The Chief Justice pointed out that the General Legal Council has set up an inspection committee which would in due course be making inspections of all chambers to ensure that those rules relating, among other things, to maintenance of client’s assets are scrupulously observed.
In her remarks, Neneh M.C Cham, president of the Gambia Bar Association, congratulated the newly enrolled lawyers and advised them to abide by the Code of Conduct that guided the legal practitioners.
“Your conduct in and out of the court is no longer your own business,” GBA president stated, saying the enrolled lawyers now belong to the legal profession where much is expected of them by the court, clients, colleagues, employers, communities and the nation at large.
The courts and colleagues must be able to trust that a legal practitioner would act honestly and ethically, she said: “Integrity helps build a strong professional reputation, which could lead to long-term success in the legal field.”
Ensa Trawally, among the 29 lawyers enrolled, extended appreciation to the Chief Justice and the General Legal Council for their leadership and stewardship in guiding the legal profession in The Gambia.
