TUBMANBURG, Bomi County– Two Circuit Court Judges in western Liberia have frowned on lawyers for their constant absence from court sessions, the state-run Liberia News Agency (LINA) has reported.
The Resident Judge of the 11th Judicial Circuit Court in Bomi County, Williams Sando and the Resident Judge of the 5th Judicial Circuit Court in Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount County Ousma Feika registered their dissatisfaction at separate openings of the August Term of Court in their areas.
Delivering his charge, Judge Sando threatened to take legal action against lawyers assigned at the Court in Bomi if they continue to boycott court.
“We were given a task to perform; we must be able to implement those tasks in time,” Judge Sando pointed out.
The Bomi County Resident Judge urged lawyers to desist from such habit and work in line with the judicial policy of the state.
He at the same time encouraged citizens to make use of the law and avoid problems to keep the county free of violence.
For his part, Judge Feika stated that the lawyers’ attitude of abandoning sessions at the 5th Judicial Circuit Court in Robertsport without excuse is hindering the smooth adjudication of cases at the court.
Rule Three (3) of the Revised Circuit Court Rules, makes it compulsory for all lawyers admitted to the Circuit Court to regularly attend the opening of all terms of court and answer to their names during roll call.
It can be recalled that Judge Feika expressed similar concern about lawyers’ absence in court during the opening of the May Term this year.
During the opening of the August Term, 14 lawyers of the Grand Cape Mount Bar Association boycotted the opening session without excuse.
The 14 absentee lawyers were fined US$100 each for their failure to show up at the opening of the May Term of Court.
However, during the reading of the charge of the August Term of Court, Judge Feika indicated that of the 14 lawyers that were fined only one person paid the fine, while the remaining 13 lawyers refused to pay.
Due to their refusal, a writ was issued by the Sheriff to arrest the 13 lawyers of the Grand Cape Mount County Bar Association.
Howbeit, the court was unable to effect the arrest due to their absence for the second time.
Meanwhile, Judge Feika has vowed that the 5th Judicial Circuit Court under his watch will not condone such practice, adding that he is will ensure that punitive action is taken against the errant lawyers so as to end such practice.
Source: LINA
