By Dr. Doma
Sometimes Sierra Leone surprises you and sometimes the legal profession does it even better.
These days, it feels like we suddenly have two bodies claiming to speak for lawyers: the long-standing SLBA and now the very active Lawyers Society that sprang up after the controversial SLBA AGM.
The SLBA is supposed to be the umbrella body for all lawyers one big family.
But lately it looks like half the family decided to rent their own apartment because they felt ignored, frustrated or simply tired of shouting into a void.
And honestly the way things are going, it’s starting to look like two political parties operating under one roof.
SLBA on one side, Lawyers Society on the other, like watching APC and SLPP throwing jabs, while the rest of us just sit and observe quietly.
Over the weekend, I actually attended the Lawyers Society Inter-House Sports Meet and let me say this:
it was bright, colorful, fun and full of real unity.
Lawyers laughed together, competed together and for once dropped the legal language to just enjoy being human.
Watching them, one thought hit me hard:
Why isn’t the SLBA organizing things like this?
This is exactly the kind of activity you expect from the official governing body, team-building, bonding, bringing the profession together.
Instead, it’s the Lawyers Society doing it.
It almost feels like having a parallel government to President Bio, imagine waking up and finding two Ministries of Finance giving two different budgets. That’s how the legal profession feels right now: one body saying “we’re in charge,” while another one is doing all the practical work of engaging its members.
Let’s be honest:
The Lawyers Society didn’t just appear for fun.
It was formed by lawyers who left the SLBA AGM feeling unheard, disappointed or completely pushed aside.
They wanted justice but didn’t get it so they created their own platform.
Now the big question is:
Who really represents lawyers in Sierra Leone?
Is the Lawyers Society a branch of the SLBA?
Or has the SLBA simply lost touch with part of its own membership?
What we do know is this:
A divided bar only weakens itself.
A united bar strengthens justice.
Right now, the legal community feels like two houses on one street both claiming ownership of the same compound.
And until meaningful dialogue happens, the rest of us will continue watching like spectators at a political rally.
But one thing is clear:
Lawyers deserve a leadership that brings them together not one that pushes them apart.
