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Chief Justice Pereira puts ‘errant’ ECSC Lawyers on blast
Yesterday, September 17, 2015 as her ladyship delivered the opening address via a live broadcast from Grenada, the foremost parts of her message were centered on addressing issues plaguing the judiciary, including allegedly misappropriating clients’ funds and properties.
Misappropriation of clients' funds
“The court will show no tolerance for such behaviour. In many of our member states, disciplinary committees have been established to whom litigants can lodge complaints against an attorney. Such indiscretion can be very costly to the client and quite damaging to the attorney, not only financially but also professionally,” she said, adding that in some Eastern Caribbean countries there are attorneys who have been dismissed and are to-date still barred from practicing.
It is very disconcerting that in number of cases, these funds are inappropriately managed by attorneys-at-law...the court will show no tolerance for such behaviour."
He address was done from Grenada yesterday September 17, 2015 with live connections in all the Eastern Caribbean countries and territory’s “Our neighbouring islands of Barbados and Jamaica have of late shown zero tolerance for such behaviours, and we have seen cases of disbarment. In our jurisdiction as well, we have seen a few cases of attorneys being struck off the roll,” said the Chief Justice.
“Great responsibility is placed on an attorney-at-law who has been put in charge of clients’ funds. It is very disconcerting that, in an overwhelming number of cases, these funds are inappropriately managed by attorneys-at-law,” added Chief Justice Pereira.
The Chief Justice also took issues with the reported lack of respect, punctuality and lack of preparedness by lawyers.
Lawyers appearing before the ECSC without a practicing certificate
"Another disturbing trend, which appears to be taking root, is that of lawyers who appear before the court without possessing a valid practicing certificate,” highlighted the Chief Justice as she noted that in most Member States, the Legal Profession Act, which governs many aspects of the legal profession, mandates that an attorney-at-law must possess a practicing certificate.
“However, there is an increasing number of attorneys who commit a great disservice to the profession, the clients and the court by sneaking their way before the court knowing fully well that they are in contravention of this requirement."
Noting that such practices shouldn’t be, Chief Justice Pereira said that it is a discourtesy to the court, and critically it is an act of dishonesty in the context of the legal profession. “It is most unfair and deceitful to your client who has a legitimate expectation.”
The Chief Justice admonished errant lawyers to cease and desist from such practice, as it brings the entire legal profession into disrepute and erodes public confidence in the justice system.
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6 Responses to “Chief Justice Pereira puts ‘errant’ ECSC Lawyers on blast”
Before the tape was played he had even threaten to bring a lawsuit against the media company for lying about what he said. Was anything done about that??? Would something had been done concerning his behavior in St.Thomas , united states or England yes.
That is why a lot of lawyers from overseas come here for the experience and money. Remember before offshore finance, Lawyers use to be on the court house steps in England and united states begging for a client.
Or some of them would be in malls looking for a malpractice suit opportunity. The problems with the profession is that it has no dignity anymore. You have deals been cut in and out of the court room most time at the clients expense. And there is nobody to complain too or who would do anything.