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Judge wants rule banning advertising by lawyers scrapped; More young lawyers defending accused

by Fernella Wedderburn
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A judge wants to see more young defence lawyers stepping forward to show their skills rather than standing in the shadows of “a few elites”, and the rule banning attorneys from advertising to be scrapped so junior lawyers can promote their services.

Justice Carlisle Greaves made the comments on Friday in lauding attorney-at-law Latisha Springer for her in-depth and concise sentencing submissions in a gun and ammunition case.

“There is some practice or utterances or belief out there [by] senior counsel that they walk around with you behind them like Batman carrying Robin . . . . I do not believe that. I do not subscribe to that. I intend to destroy that myth. Come to these courts, stand up on your legs and represent some of these accused men,” he appealed to junior lawyers.

“These criminal courts as they are presently constituted, every one of these judges, I believe, hold the same view that I hold that you young lawyers are being held back . . . . We want to see the defence bar widen broadly, not dominated by a few elites.”

Justice Carlisle Greaves, left, and Attorney-at-law Latisha Springer.

The High Court judge said there were many “simple cases” junior attorneys could handle and it made sense for their seniors to encourage them to step up to show their mettle.

“It cannot be economical [for] our reality . . . that we spend so much money on you all, educating you, then you will come in here and sit down for three years . . . and can’t or not be allowed to defend a fly,” he said.

Complimenting Springer for how she had handled herself, Justice Greaves said her submissions showed the value of preparation. 

He said the young attorney, who works with well-known criminal lawyers Andrew Pilgrim KC and Angella Mitchell-Gittens, had presented broad, deep and well-delivered submissions.

“Pilgrim’s chambers seem to pick out the best of you . . . . Some bright, young lawyers come out of that chamber. Every one of you I have heard so far is impressive,” he said.

“So, all of those who are pomposetting around here giving the impression that you young lawyers are not ready, tell them . . . you all are ready. Get your name out there, come in here and look for some work, do some work . . . .”

The judge also contended that some of the old rules in the profession’s code of ethics had to be scrapped if young attorneys were to establish themselves.

“I know there is a rule with the code of ethics to suggest that lawyers should not advertise. I have my problems with those rules; they are old fashioned. They only promote and protect the interest of the elite and the established.

“You are coming from every school in this country, in every village – you don’t come with any names, any big names, any uppity names – so you all have to find a way to get your name out there. How are you going to do that without some mode of advertising? That is a rule that I want to see [gone] . . . . These old rules have got to go. These are modern times, these are different times. We can’t expect to do things the way the dinosaurs did it.”

Turning his attention to Springer, the judge told her he wanted to see her doing “some serious cases”. 

“I will give you and the rest like you some legal aid certificates. But this system is not going to work with six lawyers. You can’t have eight judges and six lawyers. That kind of talent you have there . . . we need that. I am not speaking to you alone . . . . I am speaking to all of those who want to hear – juniors and seniors,” he said.

“So start a revolution out there, young Springer, encourage the youth like you to come forward. These seven criminal courts are with you. Every judge is expected to understand that when young counsel come before them, they are not to berate them, embarrass them, or to do any acts that will sap their confidence. Every judge is expected to understand that his
or her duty is to encourage and assist young counsel.”

“Don’t be afraid any of you – come!” Justice Greaves urged.

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