Speaking at a Law Society parchment ceremony last night (11 July), High Court President Mr Justice David Barniville said that solicitors in this country should appreciate their privileged position in relation to the rule of law.

Pointing to the Law Society Gazette’s monthly feature on endangered lawyers, which he described as valuable reporting, Mr Justice Barniville said that lawyers in other jurisdictions may face prosecution or even death for carrying out their legal duties.

The law was a powerful tool to effect positive change in the lives of others, whether in finding justice, shaping legislation, or resolving disputes, he said.

The law was ultimately about people, and it was important that solicitors treated everyone with respect and sought to provide clients with the best possible legal representation, he continued.

Integrity

Upholding the highest ethical standards and maintaining integrity was essential, and should never be compromised, Mr Justice Barniville said.

“You are ambassadors for your profession,” he told the new solicitors.

Maintaining professional independence as a lawyer, and being free of improper influence, was essential to constitutional democracy, he said.

He told the new lawyers not to be afraid to represent unpopular causes or clients.

'Global experience'

The High Court President referred to the Law Society’s stated concern about the emergence of legal deserts around the country, where the public may have to travel many miles to get legal advice.

While London and other centres further afield offered a huge draw in terms of big salaries, Mr Justice Barniville said that the Ireland for Law initiative was making a concerted effort to promote Ireland as a global centre for legal services and dispute resolution.

He encouraged those new solicitors who did go abroad to eventually bring back home their global experience, pointing to the vast array or pharma, tech, med-tech, and life-sciences businesses now operating in Ireland and in need of such expertise.

New solicitor Moya O’Dowd of McCann FitzGerald was a serial prize-winner at last night’s parchment ceremony, scooping three awards for her academic excellence.