Six called to the bar.

Six magistrates, namely Lamin A. Ceesay, Kebba Sanyang, Musa Batchilly, Salieu Faal, Moses Richard and Aboubacarr King were Thursday called to the bar. Chief Justice Felix Lartey who administered the oath in a ceremony, which saw the six resplendent with their legal regalia, admonished them to comport themselves with the ethnics and virtues of the profession, and stride to live up to expectation. He urged them to uphold the integrity of the profession, by working hard and avoid temptations or distractions by way of monetary inducements aimed at compromising what their profession stood for.

As barristers your integrity are at stake, but you should work with honesty to preserve your virtues, and develop your knowledge of the country’s laws”, he advised. He called on them to conduct regular researches to enable them win their cases, which will earn them public confidence. He also asked the newest members of the bar to be thankful to their families for having nurtured them and encouraged them to become barristers.

In his turn, the president of The Gambia Bar Association, Bola Carrol, said the watchwords of the profession are service, punctuality, continuous learning, integrity and honesty, which he said should be safeguarded as “precious commodities”. He also referred to courtesy as the modus operandi in dealing with clients, friends, the society all of whom are to be satisfied to the best of their abilities. He also indicated that they were supposed to be inquisitive minded to probe and ask questions.

Henry Carrol said the occasion was auspicious, as it marked another milestone when young talented lawyers are joining the bar. He said now that they have been called to the bar the need now is to look to the future with resolution and foresight. He asked them to work harder to achieve their goals, adding that there was no magic in success, except hard work, and confidence.

Presiding over the ceremony, Justice Gibou Janneh said there are three important qualities, which matters in the profession hard work, integrity and courtesy, which should always be the cardinal principles governing their work. He said they should be respectful and courteous to their clients, persevere, and be willing to grasp the nitty-gritty of the profession. Aboubacarr King delivered the vote of thanks.