The Supreme Court Bar Association yesterday humbly protested the chief justice’s remarks on incompetent lawyers, who he said are responsible for defeats of plaintiffs in more than half of all cases filed.
AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, the association’s secretary, told a press conference at the Supreme Court auditorium that a five-member delegation of lawyers led by him met Chief Justice SK Sinha at the latter’s office to express humble disagreement with the comments.
On Saturday, the chief justice at a programme of lawyers at the association’s auditorium said plaintiffs lose in 60-70% of cases because of mistakes made by their counsels.
Mahbub yesterday said lawyers always try to ensure that their clients get justice. “The bar council is the highest regulatory body for lawyers but the government does not provide us with any financial assistance or training. No government has enacted any guideline on appointing judges either. There are of course questions about the skills and competence of many judges.”
He said the remarks of the chief justice had brought dishonour for all lawyers across the country. “His comments are not true. Incompetence and unskilled judges are also to be blamed for defeats of plaintiffs in lawsuits.”
The pro-BNP lawyer pulled “those inept judges” up and said even a third-class degree holder was appointed as a High Court judge because of the lack of specific guidelines on appointment.
“This is why bright students are appointed as lower court judges,” said Mahbub.
The chief justice on Saturday said the extent of role that judges can play to establish rule of law chiefly depends on lawyers.
He said lawyers are like architects but they in many cases fail to articulate the key point during hearing.
“There are over 30 lakh lawsuits still pending in trial courts and the High Court, and rule of law cannot be established if such a staggering number of cases await disposal.”
Speaking about the High Court, the chief justice said initiating quick disposal of cases is important.
“We want to entertain 25-30 cases every day at the Appellate Division but after 11am, we unfortunately find no lawyers there.
“In the past, lawyers used to lobby to include their cases in the cause list, but they nowadays lobby not to include their lawsuits.”
