Ghana Bar Association
Encyclopedia
The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) is a professional association of lawyers in Ghana
, including what used to be called solicitors and barristers but are now called legal practitioners, as well as magistrates.
By convention all lawyers admitted to practise in Ghana become automatic members of the association.
s.
John Mensah Sarbah was the first native of Ghana to be called to the bar by Lincoln's Inn in 1887.
The legal system was based on that of England, in which solicitors provide legal advice and prepare legal documents while barristers act as advocates in court. However, this division was not observed in practice in Ghana, and in 1960 an act abolished the distinction.
Until the Ghana School of Law
was established in 1958, all lawyers were trained abroad, almost always at the Inns of Court
in England.
As of 2011 there are about 2,500 practicing lawyers, although not all have registered as members of the Bar Association.
The Ghana Bar Association is a member of the International Bar Association
.
In April 2011 the National President Frank W.K. Beecham spoke in defense of Mr Justice E.K. Ayebi, a judge who had come under attack after acquitting fourteen defendants in a murder trial.
In July 2011 four lawyers made allegations of widespread corruption among judges. The GBA condemned the four for making unsubstantiated claims, and asked them to name the judges. Another lawyer openly confessed to having bribed a judge.
The GBA said it would take legal steps to prosecute him.
The four lawyers were blacklisted by the Association of Magistrates and Judges.
They and others stated that they were considering forming an alternative Association.
The Ghana Bar Association held its annual general meeting in Cape Coast
in September 2011, soon after two magistrates had been sacked for demanding bribes. GBA President Frank Beecham said the association would fight corruption in all its forms.
The GBA would establish a complaints unit to take complaints about corruption and ensure that offenders were prosecuted.
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
, including what used to be called solicitors and barristers but are now called legal practitioners, as well as magistrates.
By convention all lawyers admitted to practise in Ghana become automatic members of the association.
History and membership
The British parliament established the Supreme Court of Judicature for the Gold Coast Colony in 1876, with a Chief Justice and no more than four Puisne JusticePuisne Justice
A Puisne Justice or Puisne Judge is the title for a regular member of a Court. This is distinguished from the head of the Court who is known as the Chief Justice or Chief Judge. The term is used almost exclusively in common law jurisdictions such as England, Australia, Kenya, Canada, Sri Lanka,...
s.
John Mensah Sarbah was the first native of Ghana to be called to the bar by Lincoln's Inn in 1887.
The legal system was based on that of England, in which solicitors provide legal advice and prepare legal documents while barristers act as advocates in court. However, this division was not observed in practice in Ghana, and in 1960 an act abolished the distinction.
Until the Ghana School of Law
Ghana School of Law
The Ghana School of Law is an educational institution in Ghana for training lawyers.The school is only one that provides training for law graduates in the Barrister at Law program....
was established in 1958, all lawyers were trained abroad, almost always at the Inns of Court
Inns of Court
The Inns of Court in London are the professional associations for barristers in England and Wales. All such barristers must belong to one such association. They have supervisory and disciplinary functions over their members. The Inns also provide libraries, dining facilities and professional...
in England.
As of 2011 there are about 2,500 practicing lawyers, although not all have registered as members of the Bar Association.
The Ghana Bar Association is a member of the International Bar Association
International Bar Association
The International Bar Association is an international association of lawyers and lawyers' associations. The IBA's stated purpose is to promote an exchange of information between legal associations worldwide, support the independence of the judiciary and the right of lawyers to practice their...
.
Controversy
In October 2010 the GBA Vice President, Mr. Justice Kusi-Minkah Premo, called on the Chief Justice and the Council to eliminate inconsistency, corruption and misconduct by judges.In April 2011 the National President Frank W.K. Beecham spoke in defense of Mr Justice E.K. Ayebi, a judge who had come under attack after acquitting fourteen defendants in a murder trial.
In July 2011 four lawyers made allegations of widespread corruption among judges. The GBA condemned the four for making unsubstantiated claims, and asked them to name the judges. Another lawyer openly confessed to having bribed a judge.
The GBA said it would take legal steps to prosecute him.
The four lawyers were blacklisted by the Association of Magistrates and Judges.
They and others stated that they were considering forming an alternative Association.
The Ghana Bar Association held its annual general meeting in Cape Coast
Cape Coast
Cape Coast, or Cabo Corso, is the capital of the Central Region of Ghana and is also the capital city of the Fante people, or Mfantsefo. It is situated 165 km west of Accra on the Gulf of Guinea. It has a population of 82,291 . From the 16th century the city has changed hands between the...
in September 2011, soon after two magistrates had been sacked for demanding bribes. GBA President Frank Beecham said the association would fight corruption in all its forms.
The GBA would establish a complaints unit to take complaints about corruption and ensure that offenders were prosecuted.