In a landmark move to bolster accountability within The Gambia’s legal profession, His Lordship, the Hon. Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow, led the swearing-in ceremony for three newly constituted Disciplinary Panels under Section 28 of the Legal Practitioners Act, 2024. The event, hosted by the General Legal Council, marked a pivotal step in regulating legal practitioners amid rising public scrutiny.
The panels, formed after thorough consultations with the Attorney General’s Chambers, the Private Bar, and the Judiciary, are poised to adjudicate petitions against errant lawyers. As Chairman of the General Legal Council, Chief Justice Jallow personally appointed the members, ensuring a balanced mix of judicial, private, and state expertise.
Panel 1 is chaired by The Hon. Justice Sarah Aryee (Mrs.), with members Mr. Lamin S. Camara, a private legal practitioner, and Mr. Abdoulie Colley from the State Law Office.
Panel 2 will be led by The Hon. Justice Ebrima Jaiteh, who will be joined by Ms. Yassin Senghore, a private practitioner, and Dr. Sarah Hope Tebira from the State Law Office.
Panel 3 is headed by The Hon. Justice Isatou Janneh, alongside Mr. Frederick Forster and Ms. Aji Adam Ceesay.
The ceremony pulsed with solemnity as panelists took oaths of secrecy, vowing to maintain confidentiality and shun any ex parte communications on active cases. High Court Judge and Panel 2 Chairman, Hon. Justice Ebrima Jaiteh, delivered a stirring address: “We have a responsibility to ensure this profession is properly regulated amidst the challenges we face. We thank the Chief Justice for his confidence in us and the members of the General Legal Council. We will deliver to expectations without fear or favor, affection, or ill will.”
In his closing remarks, Chief Justice Jallow congratulated the panelists on behalf of the General Legal Council, the Judiciary, and the entire legal fraternity. “It is crucial that allegations against legal practitioners are investigated and judicially determined, benefiting both the public and the legal practitioners,” he declared. “Members of the bar and all legal practitioners are indispensable to the justice process, and their integrity is vital for maintaining public confidence in our legal system.”
This inauguration arrives at a critical juncture for The Gambia’s judiciary, where public trust hinges on swift, impartial oversight. Legal experts hailed the move as a “beacon of reform,” promising fair hearings that protect clients while upholding professional standards. As the panels begin their work, Gambians can look forward to a more transparent and accountable bar that fortifies the pillars of justice for generations to come.
