By 
The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) and its president, Lungisani Zulu, are facing a court challenge over the suspension of two council members.
Arnold Kaluba, the LAZ Honorary Secretary and Junior Lawyers Committee Chair, along with Mulenga Sholomo, the House and Welfare Committee Chair, have approached the Lusaka High Court, seeking a judicial review of their suspensions during the festive season.
The two claim their suspension and referral to the Legal Practitioners Committee (LPC) for disciplinary action were illegal and procedurally flawed.
They argued the decision, made without a fair hearing, has damaged their reputations as legal practitioners and threatens their livelihoods.
The dispute stems from a letter the duo sent to the LPC on behalf of 399 newly qualified lawyers, scheduled to be called to the Bar in December 2024.
These lawyers had raised concerns about paying the full 2024 subscription fees, given they would only be practicing for a few weeks that year.
In response, the LPC offered a compromise: a reduced fee of K3,025, half the usual K6,050 annual fee.
Dissatisfied with the lack of a council position on the matter, Kaluba and Sholomo independently appealed to the LPC, urging them to reconsider the fees and establish a clearer policy for future cases.
Their actions reportedly angered LAZ president Lungisani Zulu, who accused them of undermining the council and acting without authority.
Following their letter, Zulu allegedly demanded their removal from the council’s WhatsApp group and issued an ultimatum to resign or face disciplinary action.
When they refused to step down, letters of suspension were issued.
The applicants claim this move violated the rules of natural justice, as they were not given an opportunity to defend themselves. Their repeated requests for a council meeting to discuss the matter were also ignored.
Kaluba and Sholomo are now asking the court to overturn their suspension and restore them to their positions.
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Among their demands are a declaration that their suspension was illegal and irrational, an order to reinstate them as council members, and an expedited judicial review of the decision.
They also want the court to rule that LAZ failed to hear their side of the story, a move they argue was contrary to principles of fairness and transparency.
The applicants maintain that their actions were driven by the welfare of LAZ members, particularly the newly qualified lawyers struggling to meet the financial demands of the profession.
Despite efforts to resolve the matter amicably, including a proposed meeting with the LPC, the council has remained unyielding, prompting the legal action.
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