The Bar Council expresses concern over 'abusive comments' directed at Me Rama Valayden, SC

The Bar Council has acknowledged a letter from Me Rama Valayden SC, in which he reports experiencing a wave of public hostility, including anonymous phone calls to his home and personal abusive comments directed at him following his professional involvement in a recent case. This information was conveyed in a statement signed by Bar Council Secretary, Me Yatin Varma, this Thursday.

"The Bar Council expresses its concern regarding such behavior. No member of the Bar should be subjected to intimidation, harassment, or abuse simply for fulfilling their professional duties," it stated.

However, the Bar Council did not provide further details regarding Me Valayden's letter.

The Bar Council believes that beyond the individual circumstances highlighted by Me Rama Valayden SC, it is necessary to place this issue within a broader and appropriate context.

Here are the points raised by the Bar Council:

• At the core of our legal system lies the independence of the Bar. A lawyer should not act as a mouthpiece for public opinion but as an officer of justice, bound by duty, ethics, and the rule of law. This independence requires that a lawyer can act without fear and without external pressure, whether from public opinion, the media, or any other source.

• In this regard, the Bar Council reiterates the fundamental importance of the Cab Rank rule, which states that a lawyer is professionally obligated to accept any brief within their competencies, regardless of the nature of the case, the identity of the client, or the popularity of the cause. This principle is not a privilege for the lawyer; it is a guarantee for society, ensuring that every individual has access to legal representation and a fair trial.

• It must be clearly understood that representation by a lawyer does not constitute approval of the client’s alleged actions. Confusing the role of the lawyer with that of the client undermines the very foundations of the administration of justice.

• The Bar Council also notes with concern how certain cases are reported and commented upon, including the reproduction of detailed statements that could influence public opinion and potentially harm ongoing proceedings. All actors, including the media and the public, are urged to exercise restraint and responsibility.

Therefore, the Bar Council calls for "a collective reaffirmation of respect for the rule of law, the presumption of innocence, and the appropriate role of the lawyer within our judicial system."