GBA urges members to refrain from granting interviews ...

....on cases pending in court

Accra, Sept. 6, GNA - The General Council of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), has expressed concern about the recent upsurge of incidences in which lawyers use the media, particularly the airwaves, to grant interviews and discuss cases pending before the courts. A statement issued in Accra at the weekend and signed by Mr Peter R. Zwennes, National Secretary of the Association, reminded members of their Code of Ethics and the resolution passed at the 2008/2009 Annual General Conference held in Kumasi on the issue.

It said the resolution stated that "The Association hereby condemns the practice whereby some members use the media, particularly the Radio phone-in programmes to ventilate and argue the cases of their clients even when such cases are subjudice.

"That members be reminded that by Section 8 of the Bar Constitution "A practising Lawyer commits misconduct if he grants any interview to a Representative of the Press in any matter in which he is or has been engaged as Counsel."

The statement declared, "The decorum of the Bar is paramount and in this regard the Council entreats all lawyers to comply with the terms of this Resolution".