Ethics, Compliance and Accountability; A holistic approach to adjudication, the theme for the launch of the Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo moot court that took place at the GIMPA School of Law on Thursday 8th February 2024.
At the event, the Chief Justice, Mrs Gertrude Torkonoo, said in this fast-paced world, it is important for persons to be highly adept. And, the need for law students to practice the theory taught in the classroom even before becoming lawyers is the sole purpose of the Moot Court competition.
Chief Justice Torkonoo says skills and character are important because knowledge is expressed through skills, and skills are best developed through the exercise of values and attitudes. “Knowledge of law, like knowledge of any discipline, cannot be separated from the application of skills. In 1960, it was established that the Legal Profession, Professional Conduct, and Ethics will be mandated by the Legal Profession Act,” she said.
The Chief Justice further stated that the study of law focuses on transferring knowledge from different disciplines, but it is also about developing ethical values and attitudes that are demonstrated through the skillful delivery of legal processes within the community.
Justice Gertrude Torkornoo further reiterated that the regulation of legal practitioners shall be by a body called the General Legal Council as stated by the first schedule of the Legal Profession Act 32 and it will pertain to the organization of legal education and upholding standards of professional conduct.
Moreover, the Chief Justice pointed out that the law guiding the practice of law is focused on upholding professional conduct standards because ethical values are important in the administration of justice.
“The Constitution of 1992 emphasizes the importance of the judiciary’s independence and states that no person or authority, including the President or Parliament, can interfere with the exercise of Judicial Power. All organs and agencies of the State are obligated to assist the courts in protecting their independence, dignity, and effectiveness. The courts have a constitutional mandate to administer justice,” she said.
