The Resident judge who heads the Criminal Division of the court in Dominica, Justice Bernie Stephenson, has issued a clarion call to lawyers urging them to be “respectful at all times to the court.”
“I want lawyers to respect the decisions of the courts and be respectful to me, to Justice Thomas, the registrar, magistrates and other officers of the court,” she said while addressing lawyers at the 2013/2014 law year opening on Tuesday.
She stated to the lawyers that if they have any problems or issues with the decisions of the court, “you know what to do and where to go, take it to the Court of Appeal.”
Justice Stephenson said she supported the comments from the Chief Justice as it relates to “mandatory mediation” and told lawyers they must ensure that their clients are present during mediation since it is not about the “lawyer” but about the “clients.”
She took issue with “young lawyers” going on their own in private practice, describing it as ‘bad and dangerous.’
“I would like to encourage the senior members of the Bar to consider employing and mentoring young lawyers especially those who exited law school, if you can’t employ them, at least assist them, talk to them, help in molding them and grooming them,” she stated.
According to Stephenson, whenever she deals with applications from junior attorneys, she does it “in a way that is a learning opportunity for them” and she helps guide them along the right way, but there is so little that she can do as judge.
She explained that young lawyers begin to learn about the law in a real way only when they are called to the Bar and senior attorneys should assist them.
“So it is the role of the senior members of the Bar, not only senior counsels, to assist the young lawyers,” she noted. “At the same time I call on the young lawyers to approach your seniors for guidance, ask questions, seek out good and proper precedents and when you get those precedents, still research the law.”
Dominicans have been very tolerant and patient with the justice system. Dominicans do respect the judgement of the court but the court must earn the respect that it deserves.
We will respect the courts when the lawyer inplicated in the GON EMMANUEL MATTER IS IN CHAINS.
Win, loose, or Draw” The rule of law must be maintained!
The old should assist the young.
Justice Stephenson has my full support on this. For a court order to be sent back to arbitration instead of being enforced beggars belief! If a judge is afraid of enforcing an order issued by the court our judiciary is like a lion without teeth that cowers before the laughing hyeans and is devoid of any respect.
respect what corruption.
What gaurantees that the Judge is giving to assure Dominicans that the Courts will be fair and balance? We need to hear that too.
And I hope you will resurrect all the old inditable cases that are lying under the DLP lawyer’s tables.
Da
Stop spreading propaganda.
Our court system is very fair and balanced by first world stands.
Our jurist are well respected around the world.
A prophet is not honored in his own country.
The UWP is a poison to the Commonwealth of Dominica.