By Michael Charles Esq.
PRO, SLBA.
Raddison Blu Hotel, Freetown, 23rd March 2023: Some 36 legal practitioners in Sierra Leone have been trained in legal advocacy. The three-days intensive training held on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd March 2023 at Radisson Blu Hotel in Freetown, was facilitated by the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) in partnership with the Inns of Court College of Advocacy (ICCA) and ROLE UK.
The training addressed case analysis, narrative advocacy (opening and closing speeches), and witness handling (examination-in-chief, cross-examination, and re-examination). Lectures were delivered on different aspects of advocacy, with a focus on practical exercises conducted to obtain one-to-one feedback on the performances of the trainees.
Instructed by six Pro Bono Advocacy Trainers from the UK, the training was consistent with several engagements made by the President and Executive members (Exco) of the SLBA with international institutions to support continuous legal education in Sierra Leone.
Making a statement at the training centre, the President of the SLBA, Eddinia Michaela Swallow (Ms) entreated the participants to make good use of the skills acquired as funding for such trainings of international standards does not come easily. ” I believe in the continuous education of my colleagues,” the Bar President stated, adding that her executive will work hard in ensuring continuous educational programs for legal practitioners in Sierra Leone. She thanked the sponsors and UKaid for utilizing British taxpayers’ money in the promotion of justice through legal education.
The training was climaxed by a certification ceremony well attended by several distinguished personalities. Handing over certificates to successful applicants, the Chief Justice (CJ) of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Justice E.B. Edwards expressed delight over the contents of the training pac and thanked the facilitators for the steps taken in delivering the training. He extended his appreciation to the President of the SLBA, ICCA, ROLE UK, the sponsors, the trainers and members of the Bench that served as observers, adding that refresher training is good for professionals. “I am of the hope that this type of training for lawyers will continue, the CJ further stated.
In her statement, the British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Lisa Chesney reaffirmed her country’s commitment to the bilateral tie they have with Sierra Leone. She thanked the facilitators and implored the executive of the Bar for more collaboration.
The objective of the training is to enable SLBA in partnership with ICCA and ROLE UK to establish an Advocacy Trainers’ consortium in Freetown.
The three-days training was supervised by senior practitioners and Judges of the Superior Courts of Judicature.
