SC Urges Enhanced Standards to Uphold Integrity in Legal Profession

In a recent Rule against an Attorney, the Supreme Court voiced concerns over the quality of ethical training and professional competence at the Sri Lanka Law College. The Court observed that while 4,948 attorneys enrolled in the past five years, 34 disciplinary actions were initiated against attorneys, leading to the suspension or disenrollment of 11 legal professionals, with more cases still pending.

The judgment also stressed that true integrity in the legal profession comes from “standing by that which is right even when the circumstances are trying” and that this quality is not something instilled by a mere lecture but through the creation of a “culture of ethical and responsible practice of law.” “…The number of professionals leaving the Law College and entering the legal profession has caused the maintenance of standards in the profession to become increasingly difficult. Under these circumstances, the stage has been well and truly set for the tenderfeet to be enticed by the promise of quick success via sleight of hand. However, true integrity, typified by the veritable legal professional, means standing by that which is right even when the circumstances are trying. This quality comes not with a single lecture given as an afterthought at the hindermost point of students’ professional training but with their proper integration into a culture of ethical and responsible practice of law….The Sri Lanka Law College, as the sole gateway into the legal profession, in my view has the foremost role to play in fostering this culture by way of quality admission as well as comprehensive training of its student body. While I am not oblivious to the recent wellmeaning efforts taken by the Council of Legal Education and the Bar Association to ensure quality admission, there is, still, something to be desired in regard to the training provided to the pupils so admitted insofar as professional ethics and practical competence are concerned…..The Bar Association, as the collective body representing the interests of the profession, has lately shown an encouraging commitment towards continuous legal education. Despite this, professional ethics is a subject infrequently seen taking the stage. It is tragic if errors of judgement, be it from lack of training or intuition, were to cause some of these professionals, new entrants in particular, to be stripped of the fruits of years of hard work…..This Court wishes to propose that the Bar Association of Sri Lanka initiate proper training and a manual or guideline for young legal professionals and apprentices, so that they may effectively circumnavigate these pitfalls….”– Justice S. Thurairaja