The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has endorsed the Chief Justice’s order to judges that senior lawyers be served first in court, notwithstanding the notion of equality at the Bar.
The Chief Justice, Kwesi Anin-Yeboah on Monday April 11 issued the circular to judges indicating that young lawyers need to learn from their senior colleagues.
To that end, the Chief Justice said “I would request all Trial Court Judges to strictly adhere to this age-old tradition and resort to inviting applications from Seniors first.
In a statement, the Association said,”The GBA fully and completely associates itself with the subject matter under reference and lends full support to the adherence to the age-old tradition and practice among members of the legal fraternity, especially courtroom practitioners, of calling cases of persons whose names are on the Roll of Lawyers, in order of seniority of enrolment, notwithstanding the notion of equality at the Bar.”
It added that,”The GBA unreservedly endorses the directive by the Chief Justice to ALL trial judges, and reiterates the position canvassed in the Chief Justice’s circular that the age-old tradition and practice of calling cases of persons whose names are on the Roll of Lawyers, in order of seniority of enrolment, notwithstanding the notion of equality at the Bar, presents a unique and special opportunity for Lawyers, particularly those relatively young at the Bar, to learn from the rich experience of senior Lawyers, especially the advocacy skills of such senior Lawyers. This has the huge potential of benefiting people who hire the services of Lawyers as the practice affords Lawyers, especially young Lawyers, the unbridled opportunity of honing their lawyering skills.”
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The GBA again said it has taken note of the various shades of comments and opinions expressed by different persons, particularly persons who are not known to the GBA to have been called to the Bar in Ghana, and therefore do not practise in the courts of Ghana, on the Chief Justice’s position on the age-old tradition and practice.
It stated that courtroom practice in Ghana and for that matter the legal profession in Ghana is characterised by certain revered age-old traditions, ceremonies and practices, which must not be done away with or compromised under any circumstances.
“The GBA wishes to inform ALL Lawyers that the directive by the Chief Justice to ALL trial judges per the circular dated the 22 day of March, 2022, is also the decision of the General Legal Council,” it stated.
Meanwhile, the GBA implored all Lawyers who practise in the Courts of Ghana to fully cooperate with trial judges in upholding this age-old tradition and practice as Lawyers stand a great chance of benefiting immensely from same, especially so as the right to call a case out of turn is not absolute and is exercisable subject to the convenience of the Court.
Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
 makes reference to the circular dated the 22th day of March, 2022, issued by the Honourable Chief Justice){kind=link}