Independence of the Legal Profession

The Bar of Northern Ireland has added its voice to concerns surrounding the recent comments made by leading political figures referring to ‘lefty human rights lawyers… and other do-gooders’.

Chair Bernard Brady QC: “The Bar of Northern Ireland is an independent referral profession. As a member of an independent referral profession, it is a barrister’s primary duty to ensure the proper administration of justice. A barrister is bound by duty to accept a brief to appear in any court in which she or he holds themselves out for practice. A barrister does not choose their client or their cases. A barrister is obliged to ensure that every aspect of their client’s case is properly represented without fear or favour.

The independence of the profession is a cornerstone of a civilised democratic society. It ensures equality of arms before the courts, whether the litigant is an asylum seeker or government minister. It is a civic value, which all citizens are entitled to expect government to uphold and protect. Members of the profession, carrying out their duties before the courts are entitled to expect that their independence will not be undermined or attacked in the pursuit of political expedience or convenience.”