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Chief Justice Mumba Malila has delivered a stern and thought-provoking message to 50 newly admitted lawyers, urging them to uphold the integrity of the legal profession and resist the temptation to use media platforms for self-promotion or to challenge court decisions.
The ceremony marked the admission of 398 lawyers to the Bar, with Justice Malila emphasizing that court cases are won or lost in the courtroom, not in the media.
Addressing the new lawyers, Justice Malila lamented the rise of some practitioners who, despite representing a minority, tarnish the profession by prioritizing personal interests over truth and justice.
“These lawyers are ritually dishonest, with only a fleeting acquaintance with integrity,” he said, adding “They don’t defend what is right but rather what benefits them or aligns with their preferences.”
The Chief Justice also condemned lawyers who mislead the public by continuing to argue lost cases in the media.
“Instead of accepting court rulings as all good losers should, they take their failed arguments to television and radio platforms, presenting themselves as champions of justice while purporting that the courts were wrong,” he said, warning that such behavior manipulates public opinion and misleads the public.
Justice Malila cautioned the new lawyers against turning into “skilled liars, dissemblers, manipulators, and propagandists,” urging them to offer honest and trustworthy service and to remain the “salt of the legal profession.”
He also warned against disrespecting the judiciary or publicly disparaging judges, emphasizing that such actions could harm their professional reputations.
“These people are not fighting for greater justice but are instead working to dismantle the checks and balances that hold everyone accountable under the law,” he said.
Addressing the issue of self-proclaimed legal experts, Justice Malila advised against emulating individuals with limited qualifications.
“Some lawyers with modest qualifications call themselves experts in areas they barely understand,” he said.
He urged the new lawyers to let their work speak for itself rather than resorting to bravado.
Justice Malila encouraged the newly admitted lawyers to remain steadfast in their commitment to justice, integrity, and professionalism, advising them to avoid unethical practices and always respect the courts and the rule of law.
The swearing-in ceremony, which began on Monday, is set to continue for two more days.
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