…Law Society tells practitioners to shape up or ship out
Lebohang Tsatsi
MASERU, Lesotho – The Law Society of Lesotho has warned “rogue lawyers” engaging in unethical practices such as mishandling clients’ funds, neglecting statutory duties and delivering sub-standard services to clients.
Law Society president, Advocate Lintle Tuke, said this week that they had discovered that some law degree holders were masquerading as admitted lawyers to swindle the public.
Law Society says public trust has been eroded
Recent trends have revealed a decline in professional ethics with the Law Society legal community, with adverse effects on public trust and confidence, a statement from the society said this week.
While “actively” monitoring and investigating numerous allegations against such practices, Tuke said the society was bent on rebuilding trust and ensuring the restoration of integrity, competence and diligence in the legal profession.
“We call upon all lawyers to join us in this endeavor, ensuring that justice is served, and the public, once again have faith in the legal system,” Tuke said.
Law society threatens to crack the whip on rogue lawyers
Those found culpable of engaging in an unethical behaviour will face appropriate consequences, including suspension or disbarment, Tuke said. Any deviation from ethical norms will not be tolerated, he said.
He reminded lawyers of their duty to uphold the elevated implementation of the law to play the key role in the justice administration.
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Law degree holders who are masquerading as admitted lawyers must immediately reveal themselves or face the full wrath of the law, he said.
Law society urges legal service users to stand guard
The public and the private and corporate sectors must verify the status of their potential lawyers before they engage them.
Tuke said the society would soon publish a list of all registered lawyers on its social media as well as at the courts and at police stations so that unscrupulous individuals cannot continue swindling the public.
