Chief Justice Salesi Temo has encouraged newly-admitted lawyers to consider entering politics if they have a genuine interest in contributing to national leadership.
Speaking to 24 graduates from the University of Fiji’s School of Law during their Bar admission, he said Parliament needed more legally trained representatives.
“Some of you may want to go into politics,” Justice Temo said.
“Nothing wrong with that. You can always go into politics, as you understand the law, you know how to interpret legislation, you know how to call for the amendment of legislation, that is also a plus. Our Parliament needs a lot of lawyers to assist them in the passing of laws.”
Justice Temo also urged the new lawyers to uphold integrity and guard their professional reputation.
“You as lawyers, you will be like ambassadors for the legal profession. Treat your clients properly, fairly. You do an honest work for them. Charge them honestly. Do not take the money and not do the work for them, that’s unfair.
“Once you get a reputation, a good reputation, your ability to work with them and your clients will increase. However, if you had a bad reputation, there are a lot of lawyers that have been barred from the profession.
“All you got to do is make a good reputation.”
He reminded them that they would be future leaders in the profession.
“Some of you are young. You are the future. You will be leaders in the legal profession in the future. Your reputation depends on how clients perceive you. If you are a hard-working lawyer, you’re a fair lawyer, you’re a just lawyer, your reputation will go in the whole marketplace.”
“They will get to know about you and make sure you serve them properly.
“Sometimes lawyers get a bad reputation on getting money without doing a job for them.”
