Bar Council urges end to baseless accusations against defense lawyers

The Bar Council has called for an immediate halt to unfounded allegations directed at individuals working as defense lawyers.

Responding to a Criminal Court verdict report that claimed defense lawyers intimidate witnesses, the council drew attention to a specific excerpt from the court’s Verdict in a Criminal Court case.

The excerpt asserted: “It is evident from reviewing High Court case that defense lawyers in various ways intimidate witnesses, threaten them with life-threatening attacks, and this is an ongoing issue and a major challenge to the criminal justice system.” The council noted that media platforms have been circulating news articles about legal professionals based on this judgment.

According to the council, the statement highlighted in the court’s verdict reads as a broad generalization.

It was not tied to specific evidence or particular conduct by any legal professional in that specific case. Instead, it appeared to cast blame on a small number of legal professionals who diligently serve as defense lawyers within the criminal justice system.

The Bar Council also stated that the manner in which certain media outlets reported on the judgment amplified its impact, contributing to a wider negative public perception.

Such reporting, it warned, risks portraying defense lawyers as individuals involved in criminal acts, undermining public trust in both the justice system and the legal profession.

Citing Section 5 of the Maldives Legal Profession Act, the council emphasized that the objectives of the legal profession include safeguarding the rights and privileges of legal professionals and maintaining public confidence in legal services.

It confirmed that it has communicated its concerns about these issues to the Criminal Court.

The Bar Council described these developments as harmful to the right to a fair trial and damaging to public trust in the justice system.

Reaffirming the objectives of the Maldives Legal Profession Act, the Council stressed that the legal profession is mandated to protect and uphold the rights and privileges of those working within it.

It further noted that when concerns arise regarding a legal professional’s conduct, a formal mechanism exists for submitting disciplinary complaints under the Maldives Legal Profession Act, the Rules for Handling Lawyers’ Disciplinary Matters and the Lawyers' Code of Conduct.

The council added that there are no barriers to submitting such complaints. It affirmed that it investigates all complaints regarding lawyers’ conduct in line with existing laws and regulations and will continue to take appropriate disciplinary action when required.

Reiterating its stance, the Bar Council again urged all parties to refrain from making baseless accusations against defense lawyers.