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The General Legal Council (GLC) of Sierra Leone has issued a stern warning to legal practitioners, specifically targeting young lawyers, regarding “unruly and discourteous” behavior on social media platforms.
In a formal notice dated March 30, 2026, the Council expressed concern over lawyers acting disrespectfully toward peers, senior colleagues, and non-lawyers online. The GLC reminded practitioners that the legal profession is characterized by “respect, nobility, good temperament and decorum,” which must be upheld both inside and outside the courtroom.
To enforce professional standards, the Council announced severe penalties for those found violating the Legal Practitioners (Code of Conduct) Rules of 2010. Moving forward, the Council will exercise its authority to restrict the professional privileges of offending lawyers.
Key measures outlined in the notice include:
Withholding Certificates: The Council declared that a Certificate of Good Standing and Compliance will no longer be issued to any legal practitioner whose conduct is deemed “repugnant to the profession.”
Denying Admission to Practice: The GLC emphasized its right to refuse the admission of any person to practice law in Sierra Leone for “good cause shown,” even if they have met all other prescribed requirements under the Legal Practitioners Act of 2000.
Refusing License Renewals: The Council also warned that it is legally empowered to reject applications for the issuance or renewal of annual practicing certificates for individuals demonstrating unprofessional conduct.
The notice, signed by GLC Secretary Victor Idrissa Lansana Esq., cited Rule 4(2) of the Code of Conduct, which mandates that lawyers must act courteously toward all persons they have professional contact with, including judges, court staff, litigants, and the general public.
In its closing remarks, the Council urged all members of the profession to maintain decorum and resist the temptation to be disrespectful, explicitly noting that “discourteousness and lack of good temperament are not the same as constructive criticism and constructive engagements.”
Failure to comply with these rules can render a lawyer liable to be brought before a Disciplinary Committee for “unprofessional, dishonorable or unworthy conduct.”
