Il-Kamra tal-Avukati tinnota b’dizappunt rappurtaġġ f’gazzetti, mezzi tax- xandir jew “social media” li jagħtu impressjoni żbaljata ta’ proċeduri ġudizzjarji b’riżultat li l-effett ta’ tali rappurtaġġ ikun sors ta’ misinformazzjoni, minflok informazzjoni korretta lill-pubbliku.
F’dan l-isfond, qegħdin jinbtu rapporti negattivi fil-konfront ta’ membri tal-professjoni legali riżultat ta’ din il-misinformazzjoni u nuqqas t’ għarfien sħiħ tar-rwol tal-Avukat u tal-proċess ġudizzjarju. Il-Kamra tal-Avukati terġa tisħaq, kif għamlet kull meta kellha l-opportunitá, fuq d-dritt fundamentali li kull persuna għandha tiġi assistita minn avukat tal-għażla
tagħha, d-dritt ta’ difiża f’kull stadju ta’ proċeduri ġudizzjarji. Ir-rwol tal-avukat huwa propju dak li jipparteċipa fil-proċess sħiħ biex issir ģustizzja,u dan mingħajr mal-avukat ma għandu jiġi medesimat ma dak li allegatament ikun għamel il-klijent tiegħu jew ikkritikat propju u sempliċiment għaliex qegħda dmiru. Mhux aċċettabbli li s-sempliċi rappreżentanza min avukat ta’ klijent partikolari tiġi meqjusa bħala xi ħaġa ta’ mistħija.
Il-Kamra tal-Avukati temmen li ħadd ma għandu jimmina dan d-dritt fundamentali, tisħaq li sabiex tkun żgurata s-saltna tad-dritt huwa essenzjali li kull avukat jitħalla jaqdi d-dmirijiet u rwoli tiegħu professjonali fil-libertà u mingħajr xkiel, intimidazzjoni jew theddid.
Il-Kamra tal-Avukati temmen u tapprezza li l-professjoni legali u l-ġudikatura , mhumiex lil-hinn mill-kritika, però tappella għal maturità sħiħa li f’kull każ tingħata stampa ċara, kompleta, fattwali ta’ dak li jkun qiegħed jiġi rappurtat.
The Chamber of Advocates notes with disappointment certain reports in sections of the media, as well as on “social media”, which unfortunately provide a misguided impression of how judicial procedures are conducted and as a result, become the source of public misinformation.
In certain instances, several negative reactions being generated vis-a-vis members of the legal profession are a function of a lack of understanding of the role of the lawyer and the judicial process.
The Chamber of Advocates reiterates, that it is a fundamental right of every person to be assisted by a lawyer of his or her choice and to be defended and represented at every stage of the judicial process.
The lawyer is an active participant throughout the whole judicial process in representation of his client’s interests, and should not be implicates with the alleged or actual misdeeds of his client nor to be the subject of criticism just because the lawyer is representing a client and carrying out his duty towards a defendant.
It is unacceptable that representing certain clients is perceived as something that a lawyer should be ashamed of.
The Chamber of Advocates believes that for the rule of law to truly prevail, it is essential that all lawyers are allowed to carry out their professional duties freely, and without fear of feeling intimidated or threatened.
The legal profession, the judiciary and the judicial process, is not and indeed should not be immune to criticism, however, even when criticism is levelled it should be guided by a sense of maturity and that in each and every case, reporting should provide a full and comprehensive picture of the process in a clear, complete and factual manner.
