The Gambia Law School on Monday 6th February, 2023 held the 11th Call to the Bar ceremony at the Superior Courts Complex in Banjul. The event was presided over by His Lordship the Hon Chief Justice Hassan B Jallow, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice Dawda Jallow, Members of the General Legal Council and other dignitaries.

At least 72 graduates were called to the Bar after successful completion of their professional legal training. Amongst the graduates were thirty four Gambians, thirty three Ghanaians and Five Cameroonians. Of the 72 graduates, forty are females. This is a major step in attaining gender parity in the Justice system, says Mrs Rougi Thomasi, Director General of The Gambia Law School.

In his welcome remarks, His Lordship the Honourable Chief Justice Hassan .B Jallow congratulated the graduates and welcomed them to the Legal profession. He noted that it is hard work and dedication that characterises a successful legal practice but also diligence and dedication to the search for truth and conformity to the code of conduct which is the ethical foundation to the profession.

“Having been called to The Gambia Bar today, you are now ambassadors in the temple of justice and are required to keep the honour of the legal profession and ensure that justice is not only done, but undoubtedly seen to be done. The Legal Practitioners Act and the Code of Conduct for Legal Practitioners are your main guides in this profession and you must always adhere to the rules of practice embedded in them” Says Dawda Jallow, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice.

In her vote of thanks on behalf of the graduates, the overall best student Odile Jassey, expressed gratitude to the schools’ administration and lecturers for their relentless efforts towards their studies and called on the General Legal Council to assist Gambian graduates to secure Law Firms for pupillage. She further encouraged her fellow graduates to seek help from their seniors from both the Bar and the Bench.

Hon Justice Awa Bah of the Supreme Court who was the guest speaker called on the graduates to uphold the ethics of their profession while wishing them a fulfilling life at the Bar.