By 
Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) president, Lungisani Zulu, has defended the suspension of two council members, Arnold Kaluba and Mulenga Sholomo, while urging the Lusaka High Court to overturn the leave granted for judicial review.
Zulu argued that the applicants bypassed LAZ’s arbitration procedures, escalating the matter to court prematurely.
The suspended members had challenged their suspension as illegal, irrational, and procedurally flawed.
Kaluba, who served as honorary secretary and chairperson of the Junior Lawyers Committee, and Sholomo, chairperson of the House and Welfare Committee, were suspended following a letter they wrote on behalf of 399 newly qualified lawyers.
These lawyers, set for admission to the bar in December 2024, had objected to paying full annual subscription fees for a year they would only partially practice.
Zulu contended that the applicants’ letter, written without council authorization, violated LAZ’s principles of confidentiality and collective decision-making.
He further stated that the council referred the matter to the Legal Practitioners Committee (LPC) in line with LAZ rules, leading to the suspension of Kaluba and Sholomo.
The LPC had previously confirmed that lawyers petitioning for admission as advocates would pay K3,050 in call day fees without installment options and full 2025 subscription fees.
Despite this, the applicants sought a waiver and flexible payment terms without consulting the council, creating the impression of disorganization within LAZ, Zulu said.
Zulu emphasized that the applicants had withdrawn their request to the LPC on December 3, 2024, acknowledging their overreach, but maintained that their actions caused reputational damage to LAZ and required disciplinary action.
He argued that the judicial review was unnecessary and premature, as LAZ’s internal mechanisms had not been exhausted.
Zulu urged the court to dismiss the matter, allowing arbitration procedures to proceed as outlined in LAZ’s rules.
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