By Momodou Gagigo
Newly enrolled members of the Gambian Bar have been urged to uphold integrity, professionalism, courage and an unwavering commitment to justice as they begin their legal careers.
At the enrollment ceremony, Gambia Bar Association President Neneh Cham described the profession as a noble calling grounded in mutual respect, ethical conduct and service to society. She reminded the new lawyers that traditions such as addressing colleagues as “my learned friend” and observing courtroom etiquette reflect respect for the judiciary, fellow practitioners and the rule of law.
Cham stressed that lawyers must respect the courts even when they disagree with decisions, pursuing appeals through proper channels rather than displaying anger or disrespect. Integrity, she said, is built through honesty, fairness, hard work and good character, and practitioners must adhere to the code of conduct whether in private practice, public service or on the bench.
Solicitor General and legal secretary Hussein Thomasi, speaking on behalf of the Minister of Justice, challenged the new lawyers to prioritize integrity, courage and professionalism. Their primary duty, he said, is to serve justice and the public interest.
Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow called the ceremony a pivotal moment, telling the graduates they had become guardians of justice entrusted with safeguarding the rule of law. “By virtue of your enrollment, you are no longer mere students of the law. You are now custodians of justice, bearers of a solemn duty, and participants in the noble profession that shapes the very fabric of our society,” he said.
The Chief Justice emphasized that the law exists to serve people. The true measure of a lawyer lies not only in legal knowledge but in advancing justice, protecting rights and promoting the public good. He warned against prioritizing personal gain over professional duty. “Your focus should be less on the rewards and more on your responsibilities and your duties. It is the faithful execution of those duties that ultimately brings the rewards,” he noted.
While lawyers owe a duty to clients, their primary responsibility is to the court: “You have a duty to be honest with the court and to help the court arrive at the correct decision.” Addressing perceptions that lawyers sometimes appear disconnected from ordinary citizens’ struggles, Justice Jallow urged the new practitioners to make public service the core of their careers. “If lawyers are perceived as gatekeepers of privilege rather than guardians of justice, then we have betrayed our calling,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the newly enrolled lawyers, Muhammed Ceesay pledged that they would uphold justice, integrity and the rule of law while serving the nation with humility and professionalism.
He described enrollment as the start of a lifelong commitment and reminded colleagues not to forget vulnerable people who lack access to legal representation. “We commit to the law, we commit to justice, and we commit to humanity before we indeed are called to leadership,” he declared.
The ceremony closed with congratulations and a collective call from the Bench, Bar and government officials for Gambia’s newest legal practitioners to build careers marked by integrity, courage, public service and firm respect for the rule of law.
