FORMER Kenyan Chief Justice David Maraga has called on legal practitioners to stand as a guide for social construction through values, accountability and competency to upscale professionalism in all sectors of the country.
Speaking at the Law Society of Zimbabwe Summer School, Maraga noted that any nation should look up to the legal sector for guidance in the governance of the country.
According to the Southern African Legal Information Institute, lawyers should play an important role in the creation of economic policies and the process to ensure that Sadc States create laws that address challenges relating to illicit financial flows and human rights abuses in the natural resources sector.
“As we all know, like all other professions, the legal profession is a service industry, a service industry where lawyers offer and render legal services to their clients, employers, and the country. And in that, there are several dynamics that we must always bear in mind,” Maraga said.
“The legal profession, as it were, is involved in the construction and giving meaning to norms and rules that seek to order societies and define relations between individuals, communities and the nation at large. By the very nature and the craft of our training, the other professions look up to us to guide in the governance of our countries.
“It is, therefore, expected that the lawyer will espouse the very values, rules, and expectations that his or her society has set for itself. To efficiently discharge that stewardship mandate calls for accountability, competency, diligence, efficiency and credibility.”
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Maraga said that the legal society should prioritise credibility and accountability as their key drivers.
“As lawyers, we must remember that, unlike in the past, we now serve a fairly enlightened clientele. Your clients may not be trained in law, but they have a good idea of what they require of you,” he said.
“If you are not accountable, competent and credible, you will lose clients. Credibility is the currency, particularly in conveyancing.”
Maraga also encouraged the Law Society to embrace technology, digitalisation and the advent of artificial intelligence, while investing in the continuous development of skills and knowledge.
“The new and emerging complex environment in the practice of law is a powerful reminder that, indeed, competency is not merely about passing the bar examinations. It’s an ongoing commitment to professional development, embracing lifelong learning, and understanding the nuances of the law as it evolves,” he said.
“We must, therefore, invest in the continuous development of our skills and knowledge, to enhance our overall effectiveness and relevance in the changing fortunes of our times. One aspect that is keeping the legal profession, like all other professions, on the run, is technology.”
The Kenyan former Chief Justice called for the widespread adoption of virtual courts, online registries, case tracking, online recording and transcription of court proceedings to improve the operations in the legal sector.
“We live and practice in an era that is and continues to be defined by rapid technological advancements. The proliferation of digital communication and online transactions where data flows freely, even across borders, has revolutionised the way we conduct business and engage with clients,” he said.
“Now, in Kenya and, as I believe is the case in many other countries, including Zimbabwe, virtual courts, online registries, case tracking, online recording and transcription of court proceedings have had tremendous progress in service delivery and overall efficiency of our courts.”