Efua Ghartey warns newly enrolled lawyers against filming court entrances

Efua Ghartey, the President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), has issued a stern warning to newly enrolled lawyers regarding the growing practice of filming their first appearances in court. Addressing the recent cohort of legal professionals, the GBA President emphasized that the trend of documenting entries into courtroom premises with personal videographers is strictly prohibited. She clarified that such actions constitute a breach of the profession’s established codes of conduct and decorum.

The warning follows observations that some junior lawyers, in their excitement to mark their entry into the legal fraternity, have hired professional film crews to capture their arrival at various courts. Mrs. Ghartey noted that while the enthusiasm of new lawyers and the support of their senior colleagues are understandable, such actions undermine the solemnity required in legal settings. She reminded the inductees that the courtroom and its immediate environs are spaces of serious business where professional standards must be prioritized over social media documentation.

Stressing the potential consequences of these actions, the GBA President stated that any lawyer found violating these directives could face formal disciplinary action. She pointed out that such behavior crosses the acceptable limits of professional behavior and risks bringing the legal profession into disrepute. The GBA leadership remains committed to ensuring that the tradition of dignity and respect for the judiciary is maintained by all members, regardless of their seniority or the celebratory nature of their enrollment.

By issuing this caution, the GBA seeks to instill a sense of discipline and strict adherence to court conduct rules from the very beginning of a lawyer's career. Mrs. Ghartey urged the new legal practitioners to focus on the substantive aspects of their professional journey rather than the visual spectacle of their debut. The directive serves as a formal reminder that the privilege of practicing law in Ghana comes with rigorous responsibilities, including the preservation of the sanctity of the judicial environment.