Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, His Honor Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, has made a passionate call for reforms within Liberia’s legal profession, pledging his support to the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) in securing a befitting headquarters while urging lawyers to uphold ethics, embrace continuing legal education, and strengthen their role as custodians of the law.
The Chief Justice was speaking Thursday during the LNBA’s strategic retreat, which brought together members of the legal fraternity, international partners, and government officials to discuss the future of the profession. The retreat, seen as a turning point for the Bar, focused on accountability, ethics, and the modernization of Liberia’s legal institutions.
Chief Justice Gbeisay told the gathering that the LNBA, despite being recognized as the oldest Bar Association in Africa, still lags behind its continental counterparts in terms of infrastructure and institutional strength. He recalled his recent visit to Zambia, where he was shown the Zambian Law Society’s headquarters — a modern three-story building housing the country’s lawyers.
“When I was in Zambia last year, I saw the modern headquarters of their Bar Association, and I could not believe that we, with the oldest Bar in Africa, are still sitting somewhere calling it an office,” Gbeisay lamented. “In our African tradition, shelter is one of the most important things. If we are to take the Bar seriously, we must prioritize the need for a modern headquarters.”
The Chief Justice went further, making a personal commitment to help the Bar achieve this milestone.
“During my service as Chief Justice, I will cooperate with you in every direction, specifically to see you build a modern headquarters,” he declared. “I will personally put my hand in my pocket to contribute, and I hope to see this done before I retire.”
His pledge was met with applause, as many in the audience acknowledged that the absence of a permanent LNBA headquarters has long been a gap in the institution’s credibility and operations.
Chief Justice Gbeisay used the platform to remind lawyers of their central role in nation-building. According to him, the success or failure of Liberia’s democratic and developmental journey depends significantly on the conduct and professionalism of the legal community.
“The development of this country rests in the hands of those who are in the legal profession,” he emphasized. “We need to take it seriously. Whether you are a president or a member of the legislature, we all must live by the law, and as lawyers, we are the custodians of that law.”
But he cautioned that the profession was being tainted by unethical practices. “We need to realize that there are some bad apples among us,” Gbeisay warned. “Lawyers are engaging in what they are not supposed to be engaging in. Some are creating evidence, some are ensuring that cases are deliberately not heard. This must stop if we are to uphold the dignity of our profession.”
He reminded members of the Bar that the integrity of the justice system hinges on their conduct. “We must ensure that the ethics of our profession remain strong. We ourselves must live by the law,” he urged.
Another major theme of the Chief Justice’s address was the urgent need to strengthen continuing legal education for lawyers. He criticized the current model of lectures and training sessions held during Bar conventions, describing them as ineffective and poorly attended.
“Sometimes we go to the Bar Convention, and a lecture is going on while half of the people are outside, not paying attention,” he noted. “Then the same mistakes repeat themselves in courtrooms. Lawyers come to court totally unprepared, spending more time looking for their evidence when they are asked questions.”
To remedy this, Gbeisay proposed transferring continuing legal education programs to the Judicial Institute, where lawyers could engage more seriously with practical training.
“We need continuing education with specific reference to how you write your briefs, how you present your cases to the Supreme Court, and how you respond to questions from the bench,” he stressed. “You cannot keep coming unprepared and expect the system to function. Something is wrong somewhere, and it must be corrected.”
For many who attended, the Chief Justice’s remarks were striking in their candor and urgency. He acknowledged that his time on the bench was limited — noting that in four years’ time, the current Justices would have retired — and urged the younger generation of lawyers to prepare to take on the mantle of leadership.
“You will soon be where we are,” he said. “The frustrations you face in courtrooms today will be yours to solve tomorrow. That is why it is critical that you take your education, your ethics, and your responsibilities seriously.”
Members of the LNBA welcomed the Chief Justice’s call. Some lawyers privately expressed that his pledge for a headquarters could mark a turning point in the Bar’s institutional development. For years, successive LNBA administrations have raised the issue of a permanent home but have struggled with financing and political will.
If realized, a modern headquarters could provide the Bar with not only office space but also a center for research, training, and regional engagement, boosting Liberia’s legal reputation across Africa.
International partners present at the retreat also underscored the importance of strengthening Liberia’s justice system. A senior diplomat told reporters that “a stronger and more independent Bar Association is essential for rule of law and good governance in Liberia. Infrastructure, training, and ethics are all part of that process.”
As the retreat continues, lawyers are expected to deliberate on strategic reforms, including the issues of ethics, judicial collaboration, and modernization. Chief Justice Gbeisay closed his remarks by encouraging participants to use the retreat as more than a ceremonial gathering.
“This retreat must serve as a catalyst for meaningful dialogue,” he urged. “The LNBA is an indispensable part of Liberia’s legal development. Let us identify who we are, know our value, and rise to the responsibility that rests upon us.”
