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| Wednesday, 28 July 2004 |
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by Sarath Malalasekera "Lawyers should guide the Judges in the application of the law, and thereby assist in the decision making process. In the absancence of such guidance the task of judges would become more onerous" said Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva at the first seminar organised by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka held at the BASL Auditorium recently. "Lawyers should not confine their knowledge and expertise only to Civil or Ciriminal Law. They should obtain wide knowledge of both Civil and Criminal law applicable procedures and rules of evidence. This will help them assist the litigants who come before them. There are instances in which a Criminal case has implications in respect of a civil suit that would follow", the Chief Justice said. "A motor car accident that commences as a criminal prosecution could finally culminate in an action for damages. A lawyer should have the totality of the litigants interests to develop a practice insight to all segment of the Bar, the Chief Justice said. "The Legal and Judicial Reforms Project funded by the World Bank has set-up several training programmes for judges and Court staff including computer training. The Chief Justice said at the time he entered the profession there were only 28 Advocates and about 60 Proctors enroled in a year. 'We obtained knowledge by working in the chambers of eminent lawyers like International Jurist Christie G. Weeramantry. The sons of eminent lawyers like J.M. Jayamanne, E.A.G. De Silva are now leading President's Counsel. "Over 600 Attorneys are now enroled per year. The numbers are vast and the former system of learning in Chambers cannot take place. Therefore seminars of this nature are essential. The present seminars organised by the BASL will help the younger generation of lawyers obtain a good knowledge of the law, the CJ said. The prime objective of lawyers should be to assist the litigants to their satisfaction for a nominal fee, the CJ added. The Chief Justice thanked the World Bank who is assisting in the project and Attorney General K.C. Kamalasabeyson PC, BASL President Ikram Mohamed PC, BASL Secretary Ms. Anoma Goonetilleke and the other members of the BASL for their active participation in these programs. BASL Deputy President Hemantha Warnakulasuriya said that they will conduct twenty four seminars in Sinhala and Tamil throughout the country. The welcome addresses were made by President's Counsel Ikram Mohamed while President of the BASL. Attorney General K. C. Kamalasabeyson spoke on "Legal Profession and the Attorney General's Department, President's Counsel Romesh de Silva on "The Law Relating to Injunctions" and Senior Attorney-at-law Suresh Chandra on "Labour Law and Practices." BASL Secretary Ms. Anoma Goonetilleke delivered the vote of thanks. |
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