[2018]DLHC3498 • March 29, 2018 • High Court
THE REPUBLIC vs. JUSTICE ANIN YEBOAH AND OTHERS EX PARTE FRANCISCA SERWAA BOATENG
The Applicant, a private practice lawyer, was the subject of a complaint filed by David Morrell on behalf of VPS International BV alleging overcharging in a High Court suit. The General Legal Council's Disciplinary Committee (Respondents) invited the Applicant to respond and appear before it. The Applicant initially declined citing a pending suit (CM/0066/15) and filed judicial review and injunction applications challenging the Disciplinary Committee's jurisdiction and actions. Despite these pending applications, the Disciplinary Committee continued to summon the Applicant, prompting her to seek committal for contempt against the Respondents for allegedly disrespecting the court and prejudicing her pending applications.
read moreThe need to uphold legal professional standards, the administration and supervision of legal education, among others, were some of the lofty goals that precipitated the establishment of the General Legal Council (hereinafter simply referred to as the GLC) under the Legal Profession Act, Act 32 of 1960. The 1st Respondent, a Justice of the Supreme Court and the chairperson of the Disciplinary Committee of GLC, the 2nd Respondent a Justice of the Court of Appeal whilst the 3rd to 5th Respondents are lawyers of renown within the jurisdiction and members of the Disciplinary Committee of the GLC. The 6th Respondent on the other hand is an office clerk of the GLC. The Respondents have been hauled before this court on a quasi-criminal charge of contempt wherein the Applicant, a lawyer in private practice is seeking an order for committal of the Respondents for contempt in what she claims that the Respondents have acted in a manner that is disrespectful of the court and calls for their punish...