Lawyers with expired licenses to be disbarred and prosecuted

The Supreme Court has ruled that lawyers who fail to renew their solicitors license should be disbarred and also face prosecution.

The 4-3 majority ruling of the seven member panel chaired by Justice William Atuguba declared that those who do not renew their license annually should not be recognized as lawyers.

The court further ruled that any lawyer who files a writ with an expired license risk criminal prosecution ,and would also be disbarred by the General Legal Council.

The Supreme Court ruling is in respect of a case involving Henry Korboe and Francis Amosa at the High Court.During the hearing council for the defendant applied to the Presiding Judge to dismiss the case on grounds that at the time council for the plaintiff, Justin Teriwajah filed the writ,his solicitors license had expired.

The Judge upheld the Korboe's submission and accordingly dismissed the suit.

Prior to the Supreme Court's decision, the Court of Appeal had set aside the High Court's ruling.


GBC