Bar Council warns against unfounded allegations targeting defence lawyers
The council said it had observed media coverage that attributed claims to lawyers in connection with the court’s ruling on alleged intimidation of witnesses.
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The Bar Council on Thursday urged the public and the media not to make unfounded allegations against defence lawyers, following reports relating to a recent Criminal Court judgment.
In a statement, the council said it had observed media coverage that attributed claims to lawyers in connection with the court’s ruling on alleged intimidation of witnesses. The council noted that the wording in the judgment referring to defence lawyers was not supported by evidence or linked to any specific conduct by lawyers appearing in the case.
The Bar Council said the references in the judgment had been interpreted in a way that targeted lawyers who work as defence counsel in the criminal justice system. It added that the resulting media coverage had created a negative perception of defence lawyers and affected public confidence in both the justice system and the legal profession.
The council stated that:
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It has conveyed its concerns to the Criminal Court
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It condemns accusations made against lawyers without evidence
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Such statements undermine the right to a fair trial and weaken trust in the justice system
The Bar Council also reaffirmed that any ethical concerns involving lawyers can be submitted to the council for review, and said there is no barrier to doing so.
