Judicial Corruption: Biased GBA Backs Court trials To be Determined By Seniority of Lawyers

The discredited Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has backed the Chief Justice’s order that cases of senior lawyers at the Bar be heard first irrespective of the notion of equality at the Bar.

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.”

In a further bastardisation of Ghana’s judiciary, Chief Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah on Monday, April 11 issued the circular to judges directing that young lawyers need to learn from their senior colleagues.

In this regard, 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.”

However, there have been some criticisms in response to the directive.

Meanwhile, the alacrity with which the GBA has backed the directive has led to criticism on social media that, as for the GBA, it is matters of petty importance like these that tend to jolt it into action.

More serious matters of national concern however tend not to inspire quick responses from it.