LAZ threaten to revoke licences of lawyers who continue comment on suspended judges
LAZ president James Banda
LAWYERS risk having their licences revoked if they continue commenting on the recent suspension of three judges and the setting up of a tribunal without permission from the association’s council, the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has warned.
LAZ president James Banda said in an internal circular yesterday, addressed to all legal practitioners, that lawyers should stop expressing their opinion publicly without the permission the LAZ council.
Mr Banda urged all members to immediately refrain from issuing statements to the media on any legal subject, including the recent event concerning the suspension of the three judges and the subsequent setting up of a tribunal to investigate their alleged misconduct.
Last week, President Michael Sata appointed a tribunal to be chaired by Malawian judge Lovemore Chikopa with members Thomas Ndhlovu and Naboth Mwanza, both retired judges, and Chipili Katunasa as secretary.
The tribunal would investigate alleged impropriety involving Supreme Court Judge Phillip Musonda and High Court judges Charles Kajimanga and Nigel Mutuna.
“The Law Association of Zambia notes with great concern that it has become common practice for lawyers to speak off-the-cuff and express their opinion publicly without obtaining permission of the council or legal practitioners committee,” Mr Banda
[Times of Zambia]
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- LAZ does not support attacks on any lawyers, whether foreign or local-LAZ President
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- DPP has done nothing wrong to warrant tribunal
Welcome back LT.
It appears you have come back confused, though…………lol. What about that flag you tagging on me? I ain’t in Canada.
Why is Zambia so gaga about court cases? They should use a jury system if professionalism is a problem. Everything is, don’t say, don’t talk! Look at! No, no,no, Let’s talk! Tikambisane.
Jury system though not perfect is certainly better than the current system which appears to have lost all semblance of credibility! I agree with you Inkuntu!!
LT was it some really important post that you sent out that got you held up for 1 day or scheduled maintenance.
Hey LT ! What`s up with the dry spell? was your system hacked by the powers that be,just like the Watch Dog? at least the WD owned up.
Is this threat by James Banda legal or he just woke up and decided to be a ‘little dictator’. Where in the statutes of LAZ does he have such power? Can he please explain with facts rather than opinions.
LT, welcome back. Are you afraid to say that the shushushu hacked into your system. come on LT, say something and ‘don’t ukutina’ this govt that wants to surpress democratic voices..
I think they are now being managed by Kabimba…carefull what you say!
Toothless LAZ
LT u disgust me my comments take ages b4 u cn show them u puppets
this is a case of Idi Amini Dada he first dismissed the Chief Justice before he started messing the country wait and see
But the man is a partner to that corrupt PF Judge Wood . . . . . .taking zambians for f00ls.
Lawyers are like Nurses and Doctors-these professionals are guided by their respective associations and do not speak in public no matter how grieved.Thats why they swear at their graduation ceremonies..James is right.
Welcome back LT – see no changes in your website. What happened?
BTW not in the States
welcome back LT! By the way, what happened? And J Banda, do you also need a COI :)
Nice to have LT back.But we are all in States!!!what happened??
LAZ are very quickly sliding down a very slippery slope. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. A shabbily constituted tribunal is not a court, thus comment/opinions will not impinge on the outcome!!!
LT are high on tujililijili, seems everyone is in Canada now!!!!
This is the most useless LAZ President ever. Lawyers should be at the forefront of promoting freedom of speech. Even LAZ is becoming a dictatorship!!
What has become of LAZ?!!
Does that happen in developed countries like USA and UK? Only lawyers involved in a case would not speak publicly but anyone else is free to express their opinion for as long as they acknowledge they may not know the all the facts.
Lawyers are now commenting individually because LAZ is now controlled by PF. To get an honest opinion one has to comment on his own. LAZ will applaud whatever disastrous decision Sata makes. Lowyers are disgusting!!
Intimidation…
Welcome back!
Wait, what? I thought lawyers are supposed to say whatever because like thieves the need to vent out verbal discourse that leave the general populace stunned, that’s democracy.
The LAZ president did not state WHY Law Association of Zambia members were not allowed to express their opinions publicly. Hasn’t he heard of freedom of expression which previous (and current?) Zambian administrations have habitually usurped? If it is an issue of ‘sub judice’ matters then let him say so instead of making unwarranted statements not befitting an official of a professional body. It’s actually censorship and it seems unjustified. What is his problem?