PRESIDENT of the Solomon Islands Bar Association has reminded lawyers to maintain the highest standard as expected of them.

SIBA president Silverio Lepe in his remarks yesterday in the High Court to mark the opening of the 2017 Legal year, said SIBA will look into the issue of protocol and court attire regarding lawyers.

He said “Bar Association is conscious of the fact that your Lordships and the Chief Magistrate have raised concerns regarding some cowboy legal practitioners’ disregard for court protocol and court attire.

“The Bar Association echoes the same concern and reminds all legal practitioners and particularly the unfaithful ones to confess and straighten up their acts for this year 2017.”

And so the Bar Association appeals to the legal practitioners concerned that observance of court protocol and court attire are each individual legal practitioner’s responsibility as required by the Legal Practitioners Conduct Rules.

The Bar Association also expresses its concern that there are few unfaithful ones who are engaging in such unaccepted conduct.

He said the problem can be effectively addressed by Your Lordships and the Magistrates by disciplining such legal practitioners on the spot that is by refusing to hear them or refer them to the Bar for possible disciplinary action.

Mr Lepe also said members of the Bar are obligated under the Rules to report such misconduct to the Bar.

Mr Lepe also mentioned that it has been noticed that there is an increase in unqualified persons acting as legal practitioners and receiving information of persons acting in such manner.

Mr Lepe urges the public to report such people to the Bar Association as engaging in such activity is a criminal offence

“The Bar Association warns that any person engaging in such activity must stop,” SIBA president said.