Trust, confidence and good dealings amongst members of the Bar are essential, says Chief Justice Anthony Gates.

Speaking yesterday at the Attorney-General’s Conference at the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa, Natadola, Chief Justice Gates reiterated Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum’s earlier comments on the need to have mentoring within the legal fraternity.

“Senior members of the Bar, always to some extent a diminishing number until refreshed with now older, formerly younger members, need to be ready to offer advice to, and to mentor incoming members.

“Besides assisting in areas of the law not familiar to younger members, there is always as a young professional the need to have answers to ‘how to go about this or that.’

“With greater experience these answers are more easily arrived at, and without always the need for consultation.

“Am I heading in the right direction, was often the question uppermost? Mentors should be ready to assist in this regard, and there is no shame in young lawyers posing such questions.”

Chief Justice Gates said mentoring is also needed in matters of practice management, suitable personal conduct, conflict of interest, difficulties with clients when they change their instructions or worse – their evidence – and where difficulties arise in court.

“Older members, therefore, I urge you to be ready to guide your juniors with sympathetic and respectful mentoring.”

The Chief Justice acknowledged that moving with the technologies was also an aspect that the Fijian judiciary has to be up to par.

Edited by Caroline Ratucadra

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